If you’re age 18 or older, you must have the following licenses to fish recreationally in saltwater in Louisiana:
Combination (e.g. Senior Hunting/Fishing and Louisiana Sportsman's Paradise Licenses) and some special licenses (e.g. Lifetime Licenses) also include recreational saltwater fishing privileges.
- To possess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, snappers, groupers, hinds, cobia, wahoo, dolphinfish, and gray triggerfish in Louisiana waters, recreational fishermen (except those under age 18 and those on a paid for-hire charter trip) must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit, in addition to required licenses. Charter captains must obtain a Charter Recreational Offshore Landing Permit to possess these species.
- All owners/operators of vessels recreationally fishing for and/or retaining any Atlantic highly migratory species (tunas, billfishes, swordfish, and sharks) with rod and reel; tunas, sharks, and swordfish with a handline; and free-swimming tunas (except bluefin) with a speargun must have an Atlantic HMS Angling Permit.
- A free Bowfishing Permit is required for anglers aged 18 years and older taking or attempting to take saltwater recreational fish with bowfishing gear or engaging in bowfishing activity south of the designated saltwater line.