General Info
County history coming soon!
CITIES
Cities In County
Not including unincorporated communities
Citys and Towns
DeQuincy with a population of 3,398.
Iowa with a population of 2,663.
Lake Charles with a population of 71,757.
Sulphur with a population of 22,512.
Vinton with a population of 3,338.
Westlake with a population of 4,668.
RESIDENTIAL SERVICES
County Residential Services
A little bit of contact information for all purpose residential needs.
Coming Soon
HUNTING
Hunting Seasons
For more information visit:
Deer
| Area | Type | Dates |
| 1 | Archery | Oct 1-Jan 31 |
| Primitive Firearms | Nov 12-18
Jan 23-31 |
|
| Firearms (Still-Hunt Only) | Nov 19-Dec 9
Jan 9-22 |
|
| Firearms (With or Without Dogs) | Dec 10-Jan 8 | |
| 2 | Archery | Oct 1-Jan 31 |
| Primitive Firearms | Oct 22-28
Jan 16-22 |
|
| Firearms (Still-Hunt Only) | Oct 29-Dec 7 | |
| Firearms (With or Without Dogs) | Dec 8-Jan 15 | |
| 3 | Archery | Sep 17-Jan 15 |
| Primitive Firearms | Oct 8-14
Nov 28-Dec 2 |
|
| Firearms (Still-Hunt Only) | Dec 15-Nov 27
Dec 3-Jan 8 |
|
| 4 | Either-Sex | Bucks Only |
| Archery | Oct 1-Jan 31 | |
| Primitive Firearms | Nov 12-18
Jan23-29 |
Jan 30-31 |
| Firearms (Still-Hunt Only) | Nov 19-20
Nov 25-27 Dec 3-4 Jan 14-15 Jan 21-22 |
Nov 21-24
Nov 28-Dec 2 Dec 5-9 Jan 9-13 Jan 16-20 |
| Firearms (With or Without Dogs) | Dec 10-11
Dec 17-18 Dec 24-25 Jan 7-8 |
Dec 12-16
Dec 19-23 Dec 26-Jan 6 |
| 5 | Either-Sex | Bucks Only |
| Archery | Oct 16-Feb 15 | Oct 1-15 |
| Primitive Firearms | Jan 23-29 | Nov 12-18
Jan 30-31 |
| Firearms (Still-Hunt Only) | Nov 25-27 | Nov 19-24
Nov 28-Dec 9 |
| Firearms (With or Without Dogs) | Dec 10-11
Dec 31-Jan 1 Jan 14-15 |
Dec 12-30
Jan 2-13 Jan 16-22 |
| 6 | Either-Sex | Bucks Only |
| Archery | Oct 16-Feb 15 | Oct 1-15 |
| Primitive Firearms | Nov 12-18
Jan 23-31 |
|
| Firearms (Still-Hunt Only) | Nov 19-Dec 9 | |
| Firearms (With or Without Dogs) | Dec 10-Jan 22 | |
| 7 | Either-Sex | Bucks Only |
| Archery | Oct 1-Jan 31 | |
| Primitive Firearms | Oct 8-14 | Nov 5-11 |
| Firearms (Still-Hunt Only) | Oct 15-16
Nov 19-20 Nov 25-27 |
Oct 17-Nov 4
Nov 12-18 Nov 21-24 |
| Firearms (With or Without Dogs) | Dec 31-Jan 1 | Nov 28-Dec 30 |
| 8 | Archery | Sep 17-Jan 15 |
| Primitive Firearms | Oct 8-14
Nov 28-Dec 2 |
|
| Firearms (Still-Hunt Only) | Oct 15-Nov 27 | |
| Firearms (With or Without Dogs) | Dec 3-Jan 8 | |
| 9 | Either-Sex | Bucks Only |
| Archery | Oct 16-Feb 15 | Oct 1-15 |
| Primitive Firearms | Jan 23-29 | Nov 12-18
Jan 30-31 |
| Firearms (Still-Hunt Only) | Nov 25-27 | Nov 19-24
Nov 28-Dec 9 |
| Firearms (With or Without Dogs) | Dec 10-11
Dec 31-Jan 1 Jan 14-15 |
Dec 12-30
Jan 2-13 Jan 16-22 |
| 10 | Either-Sex | Bucks Only |
| Archery | Sep 17-Jan 15 | |
| Primitive Firearms | Oct 8-14 | Nov 28-Dec 2 |
| Firearms (Still-Hunt Only) | Oct 15-16
Nov 12-13 Nov 25-27 Dec 31-Jan 1 |
Oct 17-Nov 11
Nov 14-24 Dec 3-30 Jan 2-8 |
Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons
September Teal Season (Blue-winged, Green-winged and Cinnamon only): 16 days
Statewide September 10 – 25
Daily bag limit – 6 per day; Possession limit – 18.
DUCKS AND COOTS: 60 days
Coastal Zone: Nov. 12 – Dec. 4; Dec. 17 – Jan. 22
West Zone: Nov. 12 – Dec. 4; Dec. 17 – Jan. 22
East Zone: Nov. 19 – Dec. 4; Dec. 17 – Jan. 29 (Including Catahoula Lake)
Youth Waterfowl Weekend: Nov. 5-6 in the Coastal Zone, Nov. 5 and Jan. 28 in the West Zone, Nov. 12 and Feb. 4 in East Zone.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limit on ducks is 6 and may include no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 2 canvasback, 1 mottled duck, 1 black duck, 3 wood ducks, 3 scaup, 2 redheads, and 2 pintails.
Daily bag limit on coots is 15.
Mergansers – The daily bag limit for mergansers is 5, only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers. Merganser limits are in addition to the daily bag limit for ducks.
Possession Limit – The possession limit on ducks, coots and mergansers is three
times the daily bag limit.
GEESE: LIGHT GEESE (SNOW, BLUE and ROSS’) and WHITE-FRONTED
North Zone: (88 days) Nov. 5 – Dec. 4; Dec. 17 – Feb. 12
South Zone: (88 days) Nov. 5 – Dec. 4; Dec. 17 – Feb. 12
Daily bag limit on light geese (snow, blue and Ross’): 20
Possession limit on light geese (snow, blue and Ross’): None
Daily Limit on white-fronted geese: 2
Possession Limit on white-fronted geese: 6
CANADA GEESE:
North Zone: (76 days) Nov. 5 – Dec. 4; Dec. 17 – Jan. 31
South Zone: (76 days) Nov. 5 – Dec. 4; Dec. 17 – Jan. 31
Daily Limit on Canada geese: 1 per day
Possession limit on Canada geese: 3
The Canada goose season will be closed in the area described as follows: Beginning at the Texas State Line, proceeding east along Hwy. 82 to the Calcasieu Ship Channel, then north along the Calcasieu Ship Channel to its junction with the Intracoastal Canal, then east along the Intracoastal Canal to its juncture with LA Hwy. 82, then south along LA Hwy. 82 to its juncture with Parish Road 3147, then south and east along Parish Road 3147 to Freshwater Bayou Canal, then south to the Gulf of Mexico, then west along the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico to the Texas State Line, then north to the point of beginning at LA Hwy. 82. Open waters of Lake Arthur and the Mermentau River, from the Hwy 14 bridge southward, will also be closed to Canada goose hunting.
CONSERVATION ORDER FOR LIGHT GEESE (SNOW, BLUE AND ROSS’S):
North Zone: Dec. 5 – 16; Feb. 13 – March 12
South Zone: Dec. 5 – 16; Feb. 13 – March 12
Only snow, blue and Ross’s geese may be taken under the terms of the Conservation Order, which allows the use of electronic calls and unplugged shotguns and eliminates the daily bag and possession limits. During the Conservation Order, shooting hours begins one-half hour before sunrise and extends until one-half hour after sunset.
RAILS: Nov. 12 – Jan. 4
King and Clapper: Daily bag limit 15 in the aggregate, Possession 45.
Sora and Virginia: Daily bag 25 in the aggregate and possession 75.
GALLINULES: Nov. 12 – Jan. 4
Daily bag limit 15, Possession limit 45
SNIPE:
Coastal Zone: Nov. 2 – Dec. 4; Dec. 17 – Feb. 28
West Zone: Nov. 2 – Dec. 4; Dec. 17 – Feb. 28
East Zone: Nov. 2 – Dec. 4; Dec. 17 – Feb. 28
Daily bag limit 8, Possession limit 24
Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except at the Spanish Lake Recreation Area in Iberia Parish where shooting hours, including the Conservation Order, end at 2 p.m.
EXTENDED FALCONRY SEASONS FOR RAILS AND GALLINULES:
Statewide: Nov. 2 – Jan. 31
Sixteen (16) days of the total season lengths for rails, gallinules and extended falconry seasons were used during the September teal season.
EXTENDED FALCONRY SEASONS FOR DUCKS:
Coastal Zone: Nov. 3 – Jan. 31
West Zone: Nov. 3 – Jan. 31
East Zone: Nov. 3 – Jan. 31
For more information, contact Larry Reynolds at 225-765-0456 or lreynolds@wlf.la.gov .
Dove
South Zone
Sept 3-11, Oct 8 – Nov 27, Dec 17 – Jan 15
North Zone
Sept 3 – 25, Oct 8 – Nov 13, Dec 17 – Jan 15
The dove hunting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset on all dates in each split, EXCEPT on Sept. 3 opening day on state wildlife management areas and LDWF leased fields, where the hunting hours will be 12 noon to sunset. EXCEPTIONS: Dove hunting hours on the Pointe Aux Chenes WMA’s Point Farm Unit are uniformly ½ hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon for all dates within all splits for the 2016-17 dove season. Elbow Slough WMA lottery hunt participants will also hunt from ½ hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon on Sept. 3 and 4.
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
| Quail | Nov 19-Feb 28 | 10 | 30 |
| Rabbit | Oct 1-Feb 28 | 8 | 24 |
| Squirrel | Oct 1-Feb 28 | 8 | 24 |
| May 6-28 | 3 | 9 |
Migratory Game Bird
| Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit | Possession Limit |
| Mourning & White-winged Doves & fully-dressed Eurasian Collared & Ringed Turtle Doves | South Zone:
Sep 3-11 Oct 8-Nov 27 Dec 17-Jan 15 North Zone: Sep 3-25 Oct 8-Nov 13 Dec 17-Jan 15 |
15 in aggregate | 45 in aggregate |
| Woodcock | Dec 18-Jan 31 | 3 | 9 |
| Teal | Sep 10-25 | 6 | 18 |
| King & Clapper Rails | Sep 10-25
Nov 12-Jan 4 |
15 in aggregate | 45 in aggregate |
| Sora & Virginia Rails | Sep 10-25
Nov 12-Jan 4 |
25 in aggregate | 75 in aggregate |
| Gallinules | Sep 10-25
Nov 12-Jan 4 |
15 | 45 |
| Snipe | Statewide:
Nov 2-Dec 4 Dev 17-Feb 28 |
8 | 24 |
| Ducks, Coots & Mergansers | Coastal Zone: Nov 5-6 (Youth Only) Nov 12-Dec 4 Dec 17-Jan 22 |
West Zone: Nov 5 (Youth Only) Nov 12-Dec 4 Dec 17-Jan 22 Jan 28 (Youth Only) |
East Zone:
Nov 12 (Youth Only) Nov 19-Dec 4 Dec 17-Jan 29 Feb 4 (Youth Only) |
| Canada Geese | Statewide: Nov 5-Dec 4 Dec 17-Feb 12 |
1 | 3 |
| Light Geese | Statewide: Nov 5-Dec 4 Dev 17-Feb 12 |
20 | None |
| White-fronted Geese | Statewide:
Nov 5-Dec 4 Dec 17-Feb 12 |
2 | 6 |
| Conservation Order for Light Geese | Statewide:
Dec 5-16 Feb 13-Mar 12 |
No bag or possession limit. | |
| Falconry for Ducks | Statewide:
Nov 3-Jan 31 |
Falconry daily bag & possession limit for all permitted migratory game birds must not exceed 3 & 9 birds respectively, singly, or in aggregate, during the extended falconry seasons & regular hunting seasons. | |
| Falconry for Rails & Gallinules | Nov 3-Jan 31 | ||
| Falconry for Woodcock | Nov 2-Jan 31 | ||
| Extended Falconry for Mourning Doves | Oct 1-Jan 15 | ||
FISHING
Fishing Seasons
For more information visit:
Freshwater Game Fish
Black Bass (Largemouth & Spotted)
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters EXCEPT as follows: | None | 10 daily |
| Atchafalaya Basin, Lakes Verret/Palourde, Fausse Point/Dauterive Areas | None | 10 daily |
| Eagle Lake | 16” minimum length limit | 10 daily |
| Poverty Point Reservoir | 15” to 19” protected slot limit | 8 daily; No more than one over 19” total length |
| Caney Creek Lake | 15 to 19″ protected slot limit | 8 daily; No more than 2 over 19″ total length |
| False River (Point Coupee Parish) | 14″ MLL | 5 daily |
| John K. Kelly – Grand Bayou Reservoir (Red River Parish) | 14 to 17″ protected slot limit | 8 daily; No more than 4 over 17″ total length |
| Caddo Lake | 14 to 18″ protected slot limit for largemouth bassNo length restriction for spotted bass | 8 daily; No more than 4 largemouth bass over 18″ total length |
| Sabine River and Toledo Bend Reservoir | 14″ MLL for largemouth bassNo MLL for spotted bass | 8 daily |
Striped & Hybrid Striped Bass
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters | No more than two over 30” total length | 5 daily |
White Bass
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters EXCEPT as follows: | None | 50 daily |
| Caddo Lake, Sabine River and Toledo Bend Reservoir | None | 25 daily |
Crappie
Black Crappie, White Crappie
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters EXCEPT as follows: | None | 50 daily; 100 fish possession limit |
| Poverty Point, Caddo Lake and Sabine River | None | 25 daily; 50 fish possession limit |
| Toledo Bend Reservoir | None | 25 daily; 100 fish possession limit |
| Eagle Lake | 11″ minimum length limit | 30 daily |
Yellow Bass
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters EXCEPT as follows: | None | 50 daily |
| Caddo Lake, Sabine River and Toledo Bend Reservoir | None | No limit |
Freshwater Nongame Fish
Bowfin
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters | 16″ minimum length limit | No limit |
Buffalo Fish
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters | 16″ minimum length limit | 25 daily |
Crawfish
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters | None | 150 pounds daily |
Catfish
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters EXCEPT as follows: | Blue Catfish: 12” minimum length limit Channel Catfish: 11” minimum length limit Flathead Catfish: 14” minimum length limit |
100 daily in the aggregate. A fisherman may possess up to 25 undersized catfish of the three species combined. |
| Caddo Lake, Sabine River, Toledo Bend Reservoir | Blue & Channel Catfish: None | 50 daily in the aggregate; No more than 5 over 30” total length |
| Caddo Lake, Sabine River, Toledo Bend Reservoir | Flathead Catfish: 18” minimum length limit | 10 daily |
Freshwater Drum
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters | 12″ minimum length limit | 25 daily |
Paddlefish
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| Statewide | 30″ max lower jaw fork length | 2 daily |
| No open season in boundary waters with Texas or below the saltwater line. | No legal harvest or possession | No legal harvest or possession |
Shad
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters | None | 50 Pounds daily |
Sturgeon
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters | N/A | No legal harvest or possession |
Other Freshwater Fish
| Location | Size Limit | Bag Limit |
| All state waters | None | No limit |
Recreational Saltwater Seasons and Limits
Common Coastal Species
Cobia
Size Limit: 33″ min fork length
Bag and Possesion Limit: 2 daily per person
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Drum
Black Drum
Size Limit: 16″ min total length, 27″ max total length
Bag and Possesion Limit: 5 daily per person; No more than one over 27” max total length
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Red Drum/Redfish
Size Limit: 16″ min total length, 27″ max total length
Bag and Possesion Limit: 5 daily per person; No more than one over 27” max total length
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational saltwater anglers may possess a two day’s bag limit of red drum on land; however, no person shall be in possession of over the daily bag limit of red drum in any one day or while fishing or while on the water, unless that recreational saltwater angler is aboard a trawler engaged in commercial fishing for a consecutive period of longer than 25 hours.
- Take or Possession of red drum in federal waters is prohibited.
Southern Flounder
Size Limit: No size limit
Bag and Possession Limit: 10 daily per person
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Mackerel
King Mackerel
Size Limit: 24″ min fork length
Bag and Possesion Limit: 2 daily per person
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Spanish Mackerel
Size Limit: 12″ min fork length
Bag and Possesion Limit: 15 daily per person
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Striped Mullet
Size Limit: No size limit
Bag and Possesion Limit: 100 lbs, daily
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Spotted Seatrout (Speckled Trout)
Size Limit: 12″ min total length
Bag and Possession Limit:
- 25 daily per person
- 15 daily per person with no more than two over 25” in specified areas of Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes (see below).
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Map of specified area with 15 daily limit.
- Recreational saltwater anglers may possess a two day’s bag limit on land; however, no person shall be in possession of over the daily bag limit in any one day or while fishing or while on the water, unless that recreational saltwater angler is aboard a trawler engaged in commercial fishing for a consecutive period of longer than 25 hours.
Reef Fish
Grouper
Gag
Size Limit: 24” min total length
Bag and Possession Limit:
- 2 gag within 4 grouper aggregate
- 4 grouper daily in aggregate. The grouper within the 4 fish aggregate are speckled hind, black grouper, misty grouper, red grouper, snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper, warsaw grouper, gag and scamp.
- No more than one speckled hind and one Warsaw grouper per vessel and not more than 4 red grouper per person and not more than included in the bag limit
Current Season: Open – Season runs from June 1 through December 31 of each year in State Waters. Closed season runs from January 1 through May 31
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- There is a closed season for the recreational harvest of gag from January 1 through June 30. A closed season for the recreational harvest of black, red, yellowfin and yellowmouth groupers as well as rock hind, red hind and scamp has also been established from Feb. 1 – March 31 of each year. Size, bag and possession limits have been removed for rock hind, red hind, misty grouper, black sea bass, dog snapper, mahogany snapper, schoolmaster, blackline and anchor tilefish.
- Other seasons and rules are currently in place in Federal waters off of Louisiana. Please check those rules at gulfcouncil.orgunder “Fishing Regulations.”
- No harvest of red snapper, greater amberjack or grouper of any species is allowed for the captain and crew of vessel under charter (their creel limit/bag limit is zero).
Black
Size Limit: 24” min total length
Bag and Possession Limit: 4 daily in aggregate.
- The grouper within the 4 fish aggregate are speckled hind, black grouper, misty grouper, red grouper, snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper, warsaw grouper, gag and scamp.
- No more than one speckled hind and one Warsaw grouper per vessel and not more than 4 red grouper per person and not more than 2 gag per person included in the bag limit.
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters except from Feb. 1 to March 31 of each year seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) curve
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- There is a closed season for the recreational harvest of gag from January 1 through June 30. A closed season for the recreational harvest of black, red, yellowfin and yellowmouth groupers as well as rock hind, red hind and scamp has also been established from Feb. 1 – March 31 of each year. Size, bag and possession limits have been removed for rock hind, red hind, misty grouper, black sea bass, dog snapper, mahogany snapper, schoolmaster, blackline and anchor tilefish.
- Other seasons and rules are currently in place in Federal waters off of Louisiana. Please check those rules atgulfcouncil.orgunder “Fishing Regulations.”
- No harvest of red snapper, greater amberjack or grouper of any species is allowed for the captain and crew of vessel under charter (their creel limit/bag limit is zero).
Red and Yellowfin
Size Limit: 20” min total length
Bag and Possession Limit: 4 daily in aggregate.
- 4 daily in aggregate. The grouper within the 4 fish aggregate are speckled hind, black grouper, misty grouper, red grouper, snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper, warsaw grouper, gag and scamp.
- No more than one speckled hind and one Warsaw grouper per vessel and not more than 4 red grouper per person and not more than 2 gag per person included in the bag limit
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters except from Feb. 1 to March 31 of each year seaward of the 20 fathom (120 feet) curve
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- There is a closed season for the recreational harvest of gag from January 1 through June 30. A closed season for the recreational harvest of black, red, yellowfin and yellowmouth groupers as well as rock hind, red hind and scamp has also been established from Feb. 1 – March 31 of each year. Size, bag and possession limits have been removed for rock hind, red hind, misty grouper, black sea bass, dog snapper, mahogany snapper, schoolmaster, blackline and anchor tilefish.
- Other seasons and rules are currently in place in Federal waters off of Louisiana. Please check those rules atgulfcouncil.orgunder “Fishing Regulations.”
- No harvest of red snapper, greater amberjack or grouper of any species is allowed for the captain and crew of vessel under charter (their creel limit/bag limit is zero).
Scamp
Size Limit: 16″ min total length
Bag and Possession Limit: 4 daily in aggregate.
- 4 daily in aggregate. The grouper within the 4 fish aggregate are speckled hind, black grouper, misty grouper, red grouper, snowy grouper, yellowedge grouper, yellowfin grouper, yellowmouth grouper, warsaw grouper, gag and scamp.
- No more than one speckled hind and one Warsaw grouper per vessel and not more than 4 red grouper per person and not more than 2 gag per person included in the bag limit
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- There is a closed season for the recreational harvest of gag from January 1 through June 30. A closed season for the recreational harvest of black, red, yellowfin and yellowmouth groupers as well as rock hind, red hind and scamp has also been established from Feb. 1 – March 31 of each year. Size, bag and possession limits have been removed for rock hind, red hind, misty grouper, black sea bass, dog snapper, mahogany snapper, schoolmaster, blackline and anchor tilefish.
- Other seasons and rules are currently in place in Federal waters off of Louisiana. Please check those rules atgulfcouncil.orgunder “Fishing Regulations.”
- No harvest of red snapper, greater amberjack or grouper of any species is allowed for the captain and crew of vessel under charter (their creel limit/bag limit is zero).
Goliath and Nassau
Size Limit: Take Prohibited
Bag and Possession Limit: Take Prohibited
Current Season: Take Prohibited
Snapper
Red
Size Limit: 16″ min total length
Bag and Possession Limit: 2 daily, per person
Current Season:
- State waters open February 1, 2017
- Closed in Federal waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- No harvest of red snapper, greater amberjack or grouper of any species is allowed for the captain and crew of vessel under charter (their creel limit/bag limit is zero).
Mutton
Size Limit: 16″ min total length
Bag and Possession Limit: 10 daily, per person within the 10 fish snapper aggregate.
- Species within the 10 fish aggregate are all snappers (gray snapper, mutton snapper , yellowtail snapper, cubera snapper, queen snapper, blackfin snapper, silk snapper and wenchman)except red snapper, vermilion snapper and lane snapper.
- Two day limit allowed in possession only on charter vessels and headboats on multi day trips, if the vessels have two licensed operators as required by the U.S. Coast Guard for trips more than 12 hours, and if each angler has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel verifying the length of the trip.
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
Queen, Blackfin, Silk & Wenchman
Size Limit: No Size Limit
Bag and Possession Limit: 10 daily, per person within the 10 fish snapper aggregate.
- 10 daily, in aggregate: Species within the 10 fish aggregate are all snappers (gray snapper, mutton snapper , yellowtail snapper, cubera snapper, queen snapper, blackfin snapper, silk snapper and wenchman)except red snapper, vermilion snapper and lane snapper.
- Two day limit allowed in possession only on charter vessels and headboats on multi day trips, if the vessels have two licensed operators as required by the U.S. Coast Guard for trips more than 12 hours, and if each angler has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel verifying the length of the trip.
Current Season: Open Year-Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit
Cubera, Gray (Mangrove), Yellowtail & Mahogany
Size Limit: 12″ min total length
Bag and Possession Limit: 10 daily, per person within the 10 fish snapper aggregate.
- 10 daily, in aggregate: Species within the 10 fish aggregate are all snappers (gray snapper, mutton snapper , yellowtail snapper, cubera snapper, queen snapper, blackfin snapper, silk snapper and wenchman)except red snapper, vermilion snapper and lane snapper
- Two day limit allowed in possession only on charter vessels and headboats on multi day trips, if the vessels have two licensed operators as required by the U.S. Coast Guard for trips more than 12 hours, and if each angler has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel verifying the length of the trip.
Current Season: Open Year-Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
Vermilion
Size Limit: 10″ min total length
Bag and Possession Limit: 10 daily, per person within 20 reef fish aggregate.
- Species within the 20 fish aggregate bag limit are vermillion snapper, lane snapper, almaco jack, gray triggerfish, tilefish, goldface tilefish and blueline tilefish.
- Two day limit allowed in possession only on charter vessels and headboats on multi day trips, if the vessels have two licensed operators as required by the U.S. Coast Guard for trips more than 12 hours, and if each angler has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel verifying the length of the trip.
Current Season: Open Year-Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
Lane
Size Limit: 8″ min total length
Bag and Possession Limit: 20 daily, per person within 20 reef fish aggregate.
- Species within the 20 fish aggregate bag limit are vermilion snapper, lane snapper, almaco jack, gray triggerfish, tilefish, goldface tilefish and blueline tilefish.
- Two day limit allowed in possession only on charter vessels and headboats on multi day trips, if the vessels have two licensed operators as required by the U.S. Coast Guard for trips more than 12 hours, and if each angler has in possession a receipt issued on behalf of the vessel verifying the length of the trip.
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit
Almaco Jack
Size Limit: No size limit
Bag and Possession Limit: 20 daily, per person in 20 reef fish aggregate.
- Species within the 20 fish aggregate bag limit are vermillion snapper, lane snapper, almaco jack, gray triggerfish, tilefish, goldface tilefish and blueline tilefish.
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Gray Triggerfish
Size Limit: 14″ min fork length
Bag and Possession Limit: 2 daily, per person in 20 reef fish aggregate.
- Species within the 20 fish aggregate bag limit are vermillion snapper, lane snapper, almaco jack, gray triggerfish, tilefish, goldface tilefish and blueline tilefish.
Current Season: Closed in State Waters
Notes:
- Gray triggerfish to remain closed for all 2017.
- There is a closed season for the harvest of gray triggerfish from June 1 through July 31.
Tilefish
Size Limit: No size limit
Bag and Possession Limit: 20 daily per person for all tilefish in 20 fish aggregate.
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Species within the 20 fish aggregate bag limit are vermillion snapper, lane snapper, almaco jack, gray triggerfish, tilefish, goldface tilefish and blueline tilefish
Amberjack
Greater
Size Limit: 34″ min fork length
Bag and Possession Limit: One daily per person
Current Season: Open in State Waters
Notes:
- Annual season closed from June 1 – July 31
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- No harvest of red snapper, greater amberjack or grouper of any species is allowed for the captain and crew of vessel under charter (their creel limit/bag limit is zero).
Lesser and Banded Rudderfish
Size Limit: 14″-22″ fork length slot limit
Bag and Possession Limit: 5 fish combined total between lesser amberjack and banded rudderfish.
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
Hogfish
Size Limit: 12″ min fork length
Bag and Possession Limit: 5 daily per person
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Black Seabass
Size Limit: No size limit
Bag and Possession Limit: No Bag or Possession limit
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Tripletail
Size Limit: 18″ min total length
Bag and Possession Limit: 5 daily per person
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Highly Migratory Species
Marlin
Blue Marlin
Size Limit: 99″ min lower jaw fork length
Bag and Possession Limit: No Bag or Possession Limit
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- An HMS Permit is required for all owners/ operator of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks.
- An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
- All recreational landings of marlin must be reported to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours of landing at the dock. Reporting can be done at https://hmspermits.noaa.govor by calling (800) 894-5528.
White Marlin
Size Limit: 66″ min lower jaw fork length
Bag and Possession Limit: No Bag or Possession Limit
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- An HMS Permit is required for all owners/ operator of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks.
- An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
- All recreational landings of marlin must be reported to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours of landing at the dock. Reporting can be done at https://hmspermits.noaa.govor by calling (800) 894-5528.
Swordfish
Size Limit: 29” min carcass length or 33 lbs. min dressed weight
Bag and Possesion Limit: Not more than 5 per vessel per trip
Current Season: Open Year-Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- Recreational fishing vessels shall not possess more than five swordfish per vessel per trip. Swordfish taken under a recreational bag limit shall not be sold, purchased, exchanged, bartered, or attempted to be sold, purchased, exchanged or bartered. No person aboard any vessel shall transfer or cause the transfer of swordfish between vessels on state or federal waters.
- A HMS Permit is required for all owners/ operator of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks.
- An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
- All recreational landings of swordfish must be reported to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours of landing at the dock. Reporting can be done at https://hmspermits.noaa.govor by calling (800) 894-5528.
Tuna
Bluefin Tuna
Size Limit: 73” min curved fork length
Bag and Possession Limit: 1 per vessel per year with appropriate federal permit as incidental catch during the open season
Current Season: Incidental Trophy Season is Currently Open in State Waters
Notes:
- All bluefin tuna must be reported within 24 hours of landing to NMFS by calling 888-872- 8862 or visitinghmspermits.noaa.gov. For further information about angling category permits call the NMFS HMS Division at 888-872-8862 or 301-713-2347.
- There is no directed or targeted recreational fishing of bluefin tuna allowed in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Seasons subject to close at any time. Get more information HERE.
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- Anglers fishing for tunas within or outside Louisiana state waters are subject to both state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Federal regulations regarding the recreational harvest of tunas change often, especially for bluefin tuna. Prior to angling for or harvest of tuna, be aware of the most current federal regulations for fishing or harvest, including sizes, bag limits and closed seasons. For updates on tuna quota monitoring and tuna retention limit adjustments, anglers may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at 888-872-8862. The “Atlantic Tunas Regulations Brochure” is available at http://hmspermits.noaa.gov/ library.aspand announcements of changes may be accessed via the web at http:// hmspermits.noaa.gov/news.asp.
- Permanent Louisiana regulations on tuna harvest may be superseded by seasonal changes within the federal regulatory system. See websites referenced above for current federal regulations.
- A HMS Permit is required for all owners/ operator of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks.
- An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Bigeye Tuna
Size Limit: 27” min curved fork length
Bag and Possession Limit: No Bag or Possession Limit
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- Anglers fishing for tunas within or outside Louisiana state waters are subject to both state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Federal regulations regarding the recreational harvest of tunas change often, especially for bluefin tuna. Prior to angling for or harvest of tuna, be aware of the most current federal regulations for fishing or harvest, including sizes, bag limits and closed seasons. For updates on tuna quota monitoring and tuna retention limit adjustments, anglers may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at 888-872-8862. The “Atlantic Tunas Regulations Brochure” is available at http://hmspermits.noaa.gov/ library.aspand announcements of changes may be accessed via the web at http:// hmspermits.noaa.gov/news.asp.
- Permanent Louisiana regulations on tuna harvest may be superseded by seasonal changes within the federal regulatory system. See websites referenced above for current federal regulations.
- A HMS Permit is required for all owners/ operator of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks.
- An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Yellowfin Tuna
Size Limit: 27” min curved fork length
Bag and Possession Limit: 3 daily, per person
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- Anglers fishing for tunas within or outside Louisiana state waters are subject to both state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Federal regulations regarding the recreational harvest of tunas change often, especially for bluefin tuna. Prior to angling for or harvest of tuna, be aware of the most current federal regulations for fishing or harvest, including sizes, bag limits and closed seasons. For updates on tuna quota monitoring and tuna retention limit adjustments, anglers may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at 888-872-8862. The “Atlantic Tunas Regulations Brochure” is available at http://hmspermits.noaa.gov/ library.asp and announcements of changes may be accessed via the web at http:// hmspermits.noaa.gov/news.asp.
- Permanent Louisiana regulations on tuna harvest may be superseded by seasonal changes within the federal regulatory system. See websites referenced above for current federal regulations.
- A HMS Permit is required for all owners/ operator of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks.
- An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Shark
Atlantic Sharpnose & Bonnethead Shark
Size Limit: None
Bag and Possession Limit: 1 daily per person in aggregate
Current Season: CLOSED
Other Sharks (EXCEPT Prohibited silky and sandbar)
Size Limit: 54” min fork length
Bag and Possession Limit: 1 in aggregate per vessel per trip. No silky or sandbar sharks. No prohibited species.
Current Season: OPEN
Notes for All Shark Species:
- All Louisiana state waters seaward to the gulfward boundary of the Louisiana Territorial Sea shall be closed to the recreational and commercial harvest and possession of all sharks between April 1 and June 30 of each year.
- A HMS Permit is required for all owners/ operator of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks.
- An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
Small Coastal Sharks
- Atlantic sharpnose shark; bonnethead shark; blacknose shark; finetooth shark
Large Coastal Sharks
- Blacktip shark; nurse shark; smooth hammerhead; bull shark; sandbar shark*; spinner shark; great hammerhead; scalloped hammerhead; tiger shark; lemon shark; silky shark*
*NOTE: Recreational harvest of sandbar and silky sharks (ridgeback sharks) is not allowed.
Pelagic Sharks
- Blue shark; porbeagle shark; thresher shark; oceanic whitetip shark; shortfin mako NOTE: A person subject to a bag limit shall not possess at any time, regardless of the number of trips or the duration of a trip, any shark in excess of the bag limits. The practice of “finning,” that is, removing only the fins and returning the remainder of the shark to the sea, is prohibited within and without Louisiana waters. Notwithstanding other provisions of this part, a person may fish for, but not retain, white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) with rod and reel only under a catch and- release program, provided the person releases and returns such fish to the sea immediately with a minimum of injury.
Prohibited Sharks
- The following is a list of shark species that are prohibited:
- Atlantic angel shark, sand tiger shark, dusky shark, bigeye sand tiger shark, sixgill shark, largetooth sawfish, bigeye thresher shark, smalltooth sawfish, narrowtooth shark, Caribbean reef shark, white shark, Caribbean sharpnose shark, basking shark, sevengill shark, Galapagos shark, bigeye sixgill shark, smalltail shark, longfin mako, bignose shark, whale shark and night shark. No sandbar or silky sharks may be retained under a recreational bag limit.
Sailfish
Size Limit: 63″ min lower jaw fork length
Bag and Possession Limit: No Bag or Possession Limit
Current Season: Open Year Round in State Waters
Notes:
- Recreational anglers, except those under 16 years of age and those on a paid for-hire charter trip, must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit. Charter Captains must also obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit.
- An HMS Permit is required for all owners/ operator of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks.
- An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
- All recreational landings of sailfish must be reported to NOAA Fisheries within 24 hours of landing at the dock. Reporting can be done at https://hmspermits.noaa.govor by calling (800) 894-5528.
