Known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise,” Louisiana’s waters are synonymous with awesome angling. Bull Reds on the flats, Blue Marlin offshore, the state has it all – as long as you have a Louisiana fishing license. There are a lot of things to consider when you get your license. Today, we’ll break everything down into a simple guide to the Bayou State’s license rules.
Who needs a Louisiana fishing license?
Due to its scenic beauty and range of outdoor activities it provides, Louisiana is often referred to as the sportsman paradise. From its rivers and lakes to its coastal bayous and gulf waters, this state is especially attractive to anglers. However, before you cast a line here, it's important to familiarize yourself with the state's local rules and regulations.
This video will address some of your most common questions about getting a Louisiana fishing license. After watching, you'll be able to spend less time looking for answers and more time fishing.
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So, who needs a fishing license? Plain and simple, everyone over the age of sixteen needs a license to fish in Louisiana.
This applies to both residents and out of staters. Unlike most neighboring Gulf states, you will also need a license to fish on a charter boat, regardless of whether you're a state resident or not.
However,
there are some exceptions that exempt people from having to fish with a license.
This includes residents and non residents under the age of sixteen, as well as residents who were born before June first, nineteen forty, and who have lived in Louisiana for six months or more. Lastly, everyone can enjoy a great time on the water on Louisiana's free fishing weekend. This usually runs in mid June and allows anglers from all over the country to fish license free. Just keep in mind that regular bag and size limits still apply.
There are various fishing licenses you can buy in Louisiana covering different lengths of time and specific pieces of gear. And some groups even have the option of discounted licenses. The main two types of licenses are basic, and Saltwater The boundary between the two is called the Saltwater Line, and it runs along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Keep in mind, prices will vary depending on whether you are a Louisiana resident or not.
Just like in many other states, most of the license options are cheaper for locals than they are for people from out of state. If you're fishing on a saltwater charter, you can save a little money by opting for a charter passenger or charter skiff license. These cover you for three days of fishing aboard either a boat or a skiff. Louisiana residents have access to several special permits. If you're looking to fish on the cheap side, a hook and line license is a bargain price replacement for a basic fishing license that allows you to fish with a traditional cane pole.
On the other end of the scale, the Sportsman Paradise license lets you fish and hunt and includes permits for all fishing gear except sixteen foot trawls.
Lastly, Seniors can get a discounted huntingfishing combo. This doesn't include gear permits, though.
Another big advantage that residents get is access to a variety of lifetime licenses.
These cover you for fresh and saltwater and have the option of also covering hunting. Lifetime licenses are much cheaper for kids and seniors. You can buy your newborn a life of awesome angling and hunting for just a couple hundred bucks.
Visitors to the Pelican State also get a wide mix of licenses to choose from. These are mainly designed for short breaks with special one day permits for both fresh and saltwater, as well as three day charter and skiff permits.
If you're staying for longer, you can get the standard basic and saltwater licenses or even splash out on a lifetime hunting fishing license. This will cover you for the rest of your life, although you'll still need gear permits for some equipment.
Also, nonresident full time college students in Louisiana can get special discounts on licenses. The saltwater license is actually cheaper than the regular resident rates.
And speaking of discounts, the state of Louisiana also offers special licenses for active and former military personnel as well as disabled residents. If one of those sounds like you, you could be eligible for one of these discounts. Now, keep in mind, you only need a regular fishing license to use a rod and reel. However, if you want to fish with traps, nets, trawls, or any other special equipment, you'll need an extra permit. These are available to both residents and non residents, although they're cheaper for locals.
If you have a lifetime license, you can also get a lifetime version of any of these gear permits. This costs ten times the regular rate, so it will start to pay for itself after a decade of delicious seafood.
For more information on different types of licenses, be sure to check out our full blog article linked in the description. Also, keep in mind that these prices may change from year to year, so your best bet is to check the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website before purchasing your license.
Okay, so now you know what type of license you need, but how do you go about buying one? The two main ways of purchasing your license are either online or in person. To purchase online, all you have to do is head to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries online store. There, you'll get an authorization number as well as a digital license you can print or save on your phone. If you prefer a paper license, your other option is to visit one of the many Department of Wildlife and Fisheries offices around the state, or you can also buy them at registered hardware stores, bait and tackle shops, and other chain retailers such as Walmart. Please also bear in mind that you can't buy military, student, disability, or lifetime licenses online. For most of these, you'll need to physically head over to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries head office in Baton Rouge or mail them your completed application form.
If you lose your license, there's no need to panic. It's quite easy to get it replaced. If you bought your license online, you can reprint it for free. If not, you can buy a replacement for only two dollars.
Perhaps one of the coolest things about Louisiana is that it has a reciprocal fishing license agreement with Texas. This means that Louisiana residents over sixty five years old can fish in any Texas public waters, both freshwater and saltwater, without buying a Texas fishing license as long as they have a Louisiana senior license.
People under the age of sixty five from both states can fish along the border waters without buying another license. These border waters include Sabine Lake, River, and Pass, as well as Caddo Lake and Toledo Bend reservoir, but not the Gulf of America.
So just to quickly recap some of the main rules that we win over today regarding buying a Louisiana fishing license. Everyone over the age of sixteen needs a license to fish in Louisiana.
The two main types of licenses are basic, which covers inland waters, and saltwater, which covers coastal areas.
State residents have access to a variety of special permits and lifetime licenses, which can include hunting and fishing combos, as well as permits for special gear.
Nonresidents have access to special one day and three day permits for both freshwater and saltwater, and nonresident full time college students studying in Louisiana are also eligible for discounts.
Louisiana also offers special licenses for active and former military personnel as well as disabled residents.
And last but not least, licenses can be purchased online or in person. Just keep in mind that military, student, disability, or lifetime licenses must be purchased in person or via paper mail. And that's about it. We hope we were able to answer most of your questions regarding getting a Louisiana fishing license. For even more information on license types as well as full price breakdowns, be sure to check out our full blog article by clicking on the link in the description box or just drop us a line in the comments.
And when you're finally ready to start planning your trip, head over to fishing booker dot com and book your Louisiana fishing charter today.
Everyone over the age of 17 needs a license to fish in Louisiana, in other words, everyone aged 18 or over. This applies to both LA residents and out-of-staters. You also need a license to go fishing on a charter boat, regardless of whether you’re a resident or not.
Who doesn’t need a license?
Residents and non-residents under the age of 18 don’t need to buy a fishing license. Residents born before June 1, 1940, who’ve lived in Louisiana for six months or more are also exempt.
Lastly, everyone can enjoy a great time on the water on Louisiana’s Free Fishing Weekend. This usually runs in mid-June, and allows anglers from all over the country (and beyond) to fish license-free. Regular bag and size limits still apply, though.
Quick View: LA Fishing Licenses
The main two types of licenses are Basic – covering inland waters – and Saltwater – covering coastal areas. The boundary between the two is called the “saltwater line,” and runs along the Intracoastal Waterway, as shown below. Not sure what license you need? Check out this interactive map for a more detailed look (note, you must be logged in).
If you’re fishing on a saltwater charter, you can save a little money by opting for a “Charter Passenger” or “Charter Skiff” License. These cover you for three days of fishing aboard either a boat or a skiff.
So that’s it? Not even close! There are dozens of different fishing licenses you can buy in Louisiana, covering different lengths of time and specific pieces of gear. Some groups also have the option of discounted licenses.
Resident Fishing License Cost
Resident License Type
Cost
Basic
$17
Saltwater (Basic required)
$15
Hook & Line (cane pole)
$5
Saltwater Charter Passenger (3-Day)
$20
Freshwater Charter Passenger (3-Day)
$10
LA Sportsman’s Paradise
$100
Senior Fishing/Hunting
$5
LA residents have access to several special permits. If you’re looking to fish on the cheap, a Hook & Line License is a bargain-price replacement for a Basic Fishing License that allows you to fish with a traditional cane pole.
On the other end of the scale, the Sportsman’s Paradise License lets you fish and hunt, and includes permits for all fishing gear except 16′ trawls. Lastly, seniors can get a discounted Hunting/Fishing Combo. This doesn’t include gear permits, though.
Lifetime Licenses
License Type
Cost
Hunting/Fishing (0–65)
$500
Senior Hunting/Fishing (65+)
$100
Another big advantage that residents get is access to discounted lifetime licenses. These cover you for fresh and saltwater, and have the option of also covering hunting. Lifetime licenses are much cheaper for seniors, too. You can buy anyone a lifetime’s worth of awesome angling and hunting for just a few hundred bucks!
Non-Resident License Cost
Non-Resident License Type
Cost
Annual Basic
$68
Annual Saltwater (Basic needed)
$60
Saltwater Charter Passenger (3-Day)
$20
Freshwater Charter Passenger (3-Day)
$10
5-day Basic
$30
5-Day Saltwater (Basic needed)
$30
Annual Student Basic
$17
Annual Student Saltwater (Basic needed)
$15
Lifetime Hunting/Fishing (3+ years old)
$4,000
Visitors to the Pelican State also get a wide mix of licenses to choose from. These are mainly designed for short breaks, with special three-day permits for both fresh and saltwater charters, as well as five-day options.
If you’re staying for longer, you can get the annual Basic and Saltwater Licenses, or even splash out on a Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License. This will cover you for the rest of your life, although you’ll still need gear permits for some equipment.
Studying in Louisiana? Non-residents who are in full-time education can get special discounts on licenses. These licenses are the same as the cost for most residents!
Fishing Gear Permit Cost
While Louisiana used to be strict on additional permits for certain types of fishing gear, that all changed in 2022. Basic and Saltwater licenses will cover all legal means for catching fish.
However, there is the option of a cheaper permit for residents or Louisiana-born non-residents fishing with a pole or hook and line without a reel, and without artificial bait. You must also not use any of the following: dip nets, landing nets, minnow traps, crab nets, or crab lines. For this, you’ll just need a Hook and Line License, costing just $5.
Reduced-Fee Licenses
The State of Louisiana offers special licenses for active and former military personnel, as well as disabled residents and out-of-state students. If one of those sounds like you, you could be in for a hefty discount.
Active and Former Military
Active-duty military and National Guard personnel get special pricing on fishing licenses, at $17 for Basic Licenses and $15 for Saltwater ones, just like ordinary residents. Purple Heart recipients get the same rates. You don’t have to be a resident for these prices.
Retired military personnel aren’t forgotten in the Pelican State, either. LA residents and veterans born in the state but living anywhere in the US can get a hunting/fishing combo for just $20 after retiring from the military. Veterans with a service-related disability of 50% or more can get the hunting/fishing combo completely free.
Lastly, any resident whose spouse has been killed in action can get a fishing license covering fresh and saltwater for $4.
Disabled Residents
Louisiana residents who are permanently disabled and receiving disability benefits can Basic and Saltwater Licenses at $4 combined. The same goes for residents who are blind, paraplegic, or amputee.
The State doesn’t only recognize physical disabilities, mind you. Residents with developmental disabilities can also get a free fishing license covering fresh and saltwater.
Non-Resident Natives
And finally, if you were born in Louisiana but no longer live there, you’re eligible for a discounted license. By bringing a copy of your birth certificate, you’ll be able to purchase annual basic and saltwater licenses for the same price as residents: $17 for Basic and $15 for Saltwater.
How and Where to Buy a License
You know what you need. But how should you buy it? As always, there are a few options. You can get most licenses in any of the following ways:
Online. Head to the DFW’s online store. You’ll get an authorization number you can use as soon as you’re done, as well as a digital license you can print or save on your phone.
In person. Prefer to get a paper license? DFW offices around the state sell licenses, as do most hardware stores, bait and tackle shops, and chains like Walmart.
Bear in mind that you can’t buy military, student, disability, or lifetime licenses online. For most of these, you’ll need to head to the LDFW head office in Baton Rouge or mail them your completed application form.
Using Your License in Other States
Louisiana has a reciprocal agreement with Texas. This means that LA residents over 65 years old can fish in any TX public waters (both freshwater and saltwater) without buying a Texas fishing license as long as they have a Louisiana Senior License.
Under-65s from both states can fish along the border waters without buying another license. These border waters include Sabine Lake, River, and Pass, as well as Caddo Lake and Toledo Bend Reservoir, but not the Gulf of America.
Louisiana Fishing License FAQs
When does my fishing license expire?
Annual recreational fishing licenses are valid for one year (365 days) from the date of purchase. Three-day and five-day licenses are valid for 72 and 120 hours from the time you buy them. Lifetime licenses last forever, and there’s no need to renew them.
What happens if I lose my license?
Print another. Can’t find your license? No worries! If you bought your license online, you can reprint it for free. If not, you need to buy a replacement for $2.
How long does it take a license to arrive by mail?
Around two weeks. If you’re applying for a special license by mail, you should allow at least two weeks for it to arrive. It might arrive sooner than that, though.
Do I need a license on private property?
It depends. If you’re fishing waters that are entirely within your land (like a private pond) you don’t need a license. However, to fish waters that border your land (like a river) you do.
Can I sell my license to someone else?
No. Once you buy a license, it’s registered to you and can’t be transferred.
Do I need a physical copy of my license?
No. If you bought your license online, you can download a PDF copy and store it on your phone.
Now you should have all the information you need to enjoy a fun day of fishing down in Bayou Country If you still have questions, it’s best to call your local LDFW office. If not, it’s time to find a charter in Louisiana, pack your bags, and get ready for an awesome adventure!
Marko grew up in Northern Virginia, fishing the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. Since then, he's fished all over the world from Dubai to the Keys. He combined his love of marketing and angling and joined FishingBooker back in 2019. Since then, he's never looked back!
