Louisiana Fishing License (2026): Cost, Where to Buy & Rules
Issued by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
How much is a fishing license in Louisiana?
A resident annual Louisiana fishing license costs $17.00, and a non-resident annual license is $68.00. Louisiana also offers short-term day passes and discounted youth and senior licenses, all sold by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
🎫 Buy a Louisiana Fishing License →Fishing in Louisiana
Louisiana calls itself the Sportsman's Paradise and the inshore fishing backs it up. The marshes and coastal bays produce some of the country's best redfish, speckled trout, flounder and black drum, while the offshore rigs hold tuna, snapper and cobia. Inland, the Atchafalaya Basin and countless bayous give up largemouth bass, catfish and sac-a-lait (crappie). A saltwater license covers the coast, and the fishing rarely takes a season off.
Louisiana Fishing License Types & 2026 Prices
Resident Annual
Freshwater
$17.00
Saltwater
$15.00
Non-Resident Annual
Freshwater
$68.00
Saltwater
$60.00
Non-Resident 5-Day
Freshwater
$30.00
Saltwater
$30.00
Senior (60+)
Freshwater
$5.00
LA resident 60+ (free if born before 6/1/1940)
Youth (under 18)
FreeLouisiana restructured its license schedule in 2022–23 (Basic/Saltwater tiers, youth cutoff raised to under 18).
✅ Prices verified January 2026 from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. License fees can change year to year — confirm current rates with the agency before you buy.
Who needs a Louisiana fishing license?
Most adult anglers need a license to fish in Louisiana. Several groups are exempt or pay a reduced fee:
- Youth
- Children under 18 do not need a license. Residents and non-residents 17 and younger need no fishing license (freshwater or saltwater), but must carry proof of age while fishing. This changed with the 2022–23 license restructure — the old cutoff was under 16.
- Seniors (60+)
- $5.00 Senior Hunting/Fishing license for residents 60 and older — it replaces the Basic and Saltwater licenses and includes legal gear privileges. FREE for residents born before June 1, 1940. Residents 65+ may instead buy a one-time $100 Senior Lifetime Hunting & Fishing license. A real $5 product, not a phantom.
- Anglers with disabilities
- Louisiana issues a reduced-fee ($4.00) disability hunting/fishing license to qualifying residents with a disability (certification required).
- Veterans & military
- Reduced-rate licenses for military: a Military Retiree combination license is $20.00, and active-duty military and students pay resident prices. Louisiana resident service members and disabled veterans qualify for reduced rates through LDWF.
- Free fishing days (2026)
- June 6–7, 2026 — Louisiana's annual Free Fishing Weekend; residents and visitors may fish Louisiana waters without an otherwise-required license. All size, season, catch and gear regulations still apply.
Short-term day licenses are available for visitors and occasional anglers. Always confirm the current rules with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before heading out. ✅ Exemptions verified August 2026.
Louisiana Fishing Limits by Species (2026)
General statewide bag, size, and season limits for popular Louisiana species.
| Species | Daily Bag | Min Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth BassStatewide 10/day, no statewide minimum size. Some lakes have special slot limits | 10 | No limit | Year-round |
| Redfish (Red Drum)Slot 16–27 inches; no fish over 27 inches may be kept | 4 | 16" | Year-round |
| Speckled TroutSlot 13–20 inches; only 2 fish over 20 inches per person per day (changed 2023) | 15 | 13" | Year-round |
| FlounderNo statewide minimum size; fall harvest closure | 10 | No limit | Closed Oct 15–Nov 30 |
⚠️ Limits are general statewide references and change year to year — many lakes and rivers carry their own bag, size, and slot rules. Always confirm the current regulation for your specific water with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before you keep a fish. Reviewed July 2026.
Louisiana Fishing License FAQ
How much is a fishing license in Louisiana?
A resident annual fishing license in Louisiana costs $17.00, and a non-resident annual license costs $68.00. Louisiana also offers short-term (day) licenses for visitors, discounted youth and senior options. Licenses are sold by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Do you need a fishing license in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana requires a fishing license to fish recreationally. Children under 18 are exempt. $5.00 Senior Hunting/Fishing license for residents 60 and older — it replaces the Basic and Saltwater licenses and includes legal gear privileges. FREE for residents born before June 1, 1940. Residents 65+ may instead buy a one-time $100 Senior Lifetime Hunting & Fishing license. A real $5 product, not a phantom. Always confirm current rules with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before you fish.
Where do you buy a Louisiana fishing license?
Buy directly from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries online — that's the cheapest option (no third-party markup). You can also buy at most sporting-goods retailers and many tackle shops in Louisiana.
Fishing licenses in nearby states
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