Louisiana is the state most likely to get you written up while holding a licence you paid for. The saltwater licence does not replace the basic licence: south of the state saltwater line you need both, and a resident who buys only the fifteen-dollar saltwater licence is fishing illegally. The state also sets its threshold at eighteen rather than sixteen, so a seventeen-year-old fishes free here and would not two states over.
What it costs you
Set your situation and the figure below is the one you will actually pay at checkout.
Every Louisiana fishing fee
Annual licences are valid 365 days from the date of purchase.
| Licence | Who | Length | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic fishing, five days | Visitor | 5 days | $30.00 |
| Saltwater, five days The basic licence is still required alongside this one. | Visitor | 5 days | $30.00 |
| Hook and line, cane pole Only with a pole without a reel and without artificial bait or nets. | Resident | Annual | $5.00 |
| Senior hunting and fishing | Resident | Annual | $5.00 |
| Saltwater The basic licence is still required alongside this one. | Resident | Annual | $15.00 |
| Basic fishing All legal freshwater gear. Resident rate also covers military and students. | Resident | Annual | $17.00 |
| Saltwater The basic licence is still required alongside this one. | Visitor | Annual | $60.00 |
| Basic fishing | Visitor | Annual | $68.00 |
| Louisiana Sportsman's Paradise | Resident | Annual | $100.00 |
| Louisiana Sportsman's Paradise | Visitor | Annual | $400.00 |
The saltwater licence does not replace the basic licence: south of the state saltwater line you need both, which is $32.00 for a resident rather than $15.00.
Stamps and add-ons
The base licence is often not the whole ticket. These are the Louisiana extras, and missing one is the commonest way to get written up with a valid licence in your pocket.
| Add-on | When you need it | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Federal HMS angling permit | For tunas, sharks, swordfish, marlin and sailfish. Issued by NOAA, not the state. | $20.00 |
Who fishes free in Louisiana
- Residents and visitors under 18. Louisiana sets the threshold at 18, not 16.
- Residents born before 1 June 1940 who have lived in Louisiana six months, with their free senior licence on them.
- Everyone on the state free fishing weekend.
Exemptions are narrower than they sound and the burden of proof is on you. Carry whatever document the exemption rests on.
How to buy it
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries sells online, by phone and through licence agents: tackle shops, sporting goods stores and county offices. Buying online takes about ten minutes and you can print or screenshot the confirmation immediately.
Official LDWF licensing page →
We link the agency and never resell licences. If a site charges you a "processing fee" on top of the state fee, you are not on the state's own system.
Where to use it
We track 13 Louisiana waters daily, with live flow, tides and conditions. A sample of what your licence covers:
- Caddo Lake — Caddo County
- Lake Pontchartrain — Orleans County
- Grand Isle — Jefferson County
- Caney Lake — Jackson County
- Black Lake — Natchitoches County
- Lake D Arbonne — Union County
- Calcasieu Lake — Cameron County
- Barataria Bay — Jefferson County
- Atchafalaya Basin — St. Martin County
- Red River — Bossier County
- Ouachita River — Ouachita County
- Lake Bistineau — Webster County
Questions
How much is a fishing licence in Louisiana?
$17.00 for a resident annual freshwater licence and $68.00 for a non-resident. Stamps and endorsements cost extra where the species or water calls for one.
What age do you need a fishing licence in Louisiana?
From age 18. Anglers under 18 fish without one, though some states still require a catch record card.
Can I buy a Louisiana fishing licence online?
Yes. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries sells online and through licence agents. Buy before you rig up and keep the confirmation on your phone: wardens check ramps at dawn.
Do I need separate freshwater and saltwater licences in Louisiana?
Yes. Louisiana sells them separately, so fishing both sides means either two licences or the combined option listed in the fee table.
Do I need both a basic and a saltwater licence in Louisiana?
South of the saltwater line, yes, and that is the commonest mistake here. The saltwater licence is an addition to the basic licence, not a substitute: a resident pays $32.00 for the pair, not $15.00.
At what age do you need a fishing licence in Louisiana?
Eighteen. Anyone seventeen or under fishes without a licence, resident or visitor, which is a higher threshold than almost every other state.