Louisiana Fishing License Guide
Understand the basic freshwater and saltwater license requirements, common special permits, current fees and where to verify or purchase your license before you fish.
Start with the official source
License requirements, fees and permit rules can change. Fishing Louisiana Waters summarizes common recreational requirements, but the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is the official source.
Buy or Verify a Louisiana Fishing License →🎣 Freshwater — Basic Fishing
Most recreational anglers age 18 or older need a Basic Fishing License to fish Louisiana waters for freshwater species. The current resident fee listed by LDWF is $17.
🌊 Saltwater — Basic + Saltwater
If you are fishing south of Louisiana’s saltwater line for saltwater species, LDWF generally requires a Saltwater License in addition to the Basic Fishing License. The current resident saltwater fee is $15.
🧒 Youth
Residents and nonresidents age 17 and under are generally exempt from Basic and Saltwater Fishing licenses. Other activity-specific rules can still apply.
🪝 Hook & Line
LDWF offers a lower-cost Hook and Line License for limited methods such as a pole or hook-and-line without a reel or artificial bait. Review the official restrictions before relying on this license.
Common recreational license fees
| License / Permit | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Fishing | $17 | $68 |
| Saltwater (Basic required) | $15 | $60 |
| Hook and Line | $5 | See LDWF |
| Charter Passenger Freshwater — 3 day | $10 | $10 |
| Charter Passenger Saltwater — 3 day | $20 | $20 |
| Recreational Offshore Landing Permit | Free | Free |
Fees shown are based on current LDWF information available when this page was prepared. Always confirm the current fee before purchasing.
See Current LDWF Fee List →Special permits and situations
🐟 Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP)
Private recreational anglers need this free permit to possess specified offshore species such as tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, cobia, wahoo and dolphinfish. Charter clients are generally covered by the captain’s charter permit.
🏹 Saltwater Bowfishing Permit
Anglers age 18 or older taking or attempting to take saltwater recreational fish with bowfishing gear south of the saltwater line need the current no-fee Recreational Saltwater Bowfishing Permit, unless an exemption applies.
🌲 WMA Access Permit
If your fishing trip uses LDWF-administered wildlife management areas, refuges or wetlands conservation areas, a WMA Access Permit may also be required unless your license package or exemption includes it.
🦈 Federal / offshore requirements
Some offshore species and activities can involve federal permits in addition to Louisiana licenses. Check current LDWF and federal rules before an offshore trip.
How to obtain a Louisiana fishing license
- Go to the official LDWF recreational fishing license page.
- Choose the license or permit that matches where and how you plan to fish.
- Purchase online or through an authorized license retailer.
- Keep proof of your license with you. Louisiana residents can also connect eligible LDWF licenses to LA Wallet.
- Check the waterbody page before you launch. Some Louisiana waters have separate local boat permits, recreation permits, access permits or special fishing regulations.
Freshwater vs. saltwater can overlap
South Louisiana has many waters where freshwater and saltwater species can occur near one another. LDWF notes that anglers south of the saltwater line targeting and possessing only freshwater fish may only need the Basic Fishing License, while anglers targeting saltwater species need the Saltwater License in addition to Basic. When your trip could involve saltwater species, verify your license requirements before fishing.
Always verify before you go
This page is a planning guide, not legal advice or an official regulation publication. License rules, exemptions, prices, seasons, species permits and local access requirements can change. Check LDWF and the managing agency for the water you plan to fish.