La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1938.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1938.1
Louisiana Conservation Incentive Program; fund
Status: in_force

There is hereby established within the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries the Louisiana Conservation Incentive Program for the purpose of assisting private landowners to enhance wildlife habitat and to manage native species on private lands. The administration of the program and the projects funded to assist private landowners related to improving and providing wildlife habitats on their property shall be funded by the Conservation Incentive Program Account as provided for in R.S. 56:10(B)(20).

Acts 2025, No. 87, §1, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:325.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 325.5
Commercial menhaden harvest reporting
Status: in_force

A. The commission shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, that require companies taking menhaden by vessels equipped with purse seines for the purpose of reduction fishing to report monthly, beginning in May 2023, commercial menhaden harvest reports. The rules and regulations shall provide for the following:

(1) Monthly reporting shall include the following data for each set:

(a) Location data in degrees, minutes, seconds, with a defined datum, determined by global positioning satellite (GPS) navigational instrument reading.

(b) Estimated volume of harvest.

(c) Length of the menhaden estimated based on a sample of the harvest. In addition, the rule shall provide for the size of the sample and the method used to estimate the length.

(2) The form, manner, and the date of the month the department receives the monthly report.

(3) Procedures to preserve the confidentiality of any data, information, or statistics submitted or collected to comply with federal procedures as set forth by the United States Department of Commerce or its agencies for confidentiality of fishing statistics collected from individuals or firms by the department or its agencies. Any information the department provides to the public shall not indicate the captain, vessel, or company.

B. Beginning February 10, 2024, the department shall annually report to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment the commercial menhaden harvest from the prior year based upon the aggregated data from the monthly reports.

C. For the purposes of this Section, a "set" means when a purse seine is deployed and encircles a school of menhaden, regardless of whether those fish are reduced to possession by transferring to the mother ship or steamer.

Acts 2022, No. 759, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:124.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 124.1
Dogs; regulation of; police juries
Status: in_force

The police juries of the respective parishes may adopt ordinances to regulate, restrict or prohibit the running at large of dogs in the woods. This authority may be exercised by the police jury whenever, in the opinion of the police jury, such regulation, restriction or prohibition is necessary for the protection of wildlife.

Added by Acts 1955, No. 135, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1868 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1868
Management, protection and inspection of natural area preserves
Status: in_force

A. A natural area preserve is held in trust by the state of Louisiana for present and future generations and shall be managed and protected according to the rules and regulations set forth by the department. A natural area preserve is hereby declared to be at the highest, best, and most important use for the public.

B. The department shall inspect or provide for the inspection at least annually of each natural area preserve to ensure that the provisions of this Part and the terms of the transfer or dedication are being followed.

Acts 1987, No. 324, §1, eff. July 6, 1987.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1623 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1623
Transfer of rights or property acquired in violation of R.S. 56:1621
Status: in_force

Any sale, lease, exchange, transfer, or assignment by any of the persons mentioned in R.S. 56:1621 of any rights, property, or things of value acquired in violation of that Section shall be null and void ab-initio.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:55.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 55.2
Additional authority of commissioned wildlife enforcement agents
Status: in_force

A. To facilitate the effective protection of private and public rights and property and life throughout the state's waterways, sea, and land, duly commissioned wildlife enforcement agents of the enforcement division of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries who have graduated from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement training academy, the Louisiana State University law enforcement training program, the Louisiana State Police Training Academy, or the University of Louisiana at Monroe law enforcement training program shall, in addition to the authority otherwise conferred by law upon such officers, be vested with the same authority and powers conferred by law upon other law enforcement officers of this state, provided that a qualification and requalification for firearms used be established within the department on at least an annual basis to insure the proficiency for firearms use by all officers vested with the authority and powers conferred herein.

B. The enforcement division of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is authorized to seek, accept, and expend state or federal funds, or both, available for purposes of enforcement.

Acts 1989, No. 236, §1, eff. June 26, 1989; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 148, §8; Acts 1999, No. 13, §1; Acts 2001, No. 185, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:141 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 141
Training of dogs during closed season; taking of certain pen-raised birds for the purposes of field trials and hunting dog training
Status: in_force

A. It shall be legal for hunters, dog trainers, or dog handlers to train their dogs, any breed or species, during the closed season. During such training sessions, said trainer or handler may carry handguns and may discharge only blank ammunition, but cannot take or kill game quadrupeds or game birds of any type or kind, except raccoons. This Section shall not apply in any manner to raccoon hunters who may pursue their sport at any time, nor to persons taking pen-raised quail or pen-raised mallards under the provisions of Subsections B and C hereof.

B. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hereby empowered to authorize by permit the taking of pen-raised quail or pen-raised mallards during other than the open season for hunting for the purpose of field trials, upon application of any recognized field trial association. In order to obtain a permit to take pen-raised quail or pen-raised mallards as authorized by the provisions of this Subsection, applicants therefor must be recognized field trial associations. Applicants shall apply to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for the permit and the department may then issue the permit subject to rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to protect the wildlife of the state.

C. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hereby empowered to authorize by permit the taking of pen-raised quail or pen-raised mallards during other than the open season for hunting for the purpose of training hunting dogs. Applicants shall apply to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for the permit and the department may then issue the permit subject to rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to protect the wildlife of the state.

Added by Acts 1958, No. 453, §1. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 307, §1; Acts 1977, No. 344, §3; Acts 1981, No. 736, §1; Acts 1981, No. 838, §1; Acts 1988, No. 615, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:408 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 408
Lake Maurepas; trawling prohibited; nets in certain areas prohibited
Status: in_force

A. Trawling, skimming, or butterflying in Lake Maurepas is hereby prohibited.

B. The setting of any nets of any kind in Lake Maurepas within one-half mile of the beacon lights marking the mouths of the Tickfaw, Tangipahoa, Amite, and Blind Rivers and the Amite River diversion canal and Pass Manchac is hereby prohibited.

C. Violation of this Section constitutes a class two violation.

Acts 1974, No. 223, §2. Amended by Acts 1981, No. §837, §3; Acts 1986, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 19, §1, eff. Dec. 24, 1986; Acts 1987, No. 455, §1, eff. July 9, 1987; Acts 2007, No. 296, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:613 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 613
Location; cooperation with federal agencies
Status: in_force

The secretary shall provide for cooperation with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, in connection with the investigations of the station, and offer its facilities, under proper regulations, to special investigation and students in the biologic sciences. He shall publish the results of any investigations that may be of value in the development of the biologic resources of the state.

Amended by Acts 1974, No. 717, §1; Acts 1981, No. 736, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1692 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1692
Exemption from entrance fees; elderly
Status: in_force

A. Any citizen of the state of Louisiana who is identified as sixty-two years of age or older shall be exempt from paying the general admission charge to any state park in Louisiana. Any person accompanying a citizen of the state of Louisiana who is sixty-two years of age or older, as the driver of a single, private, noncommercial vehicle, or alternatively, the exempted person's spouse and children accompanying him or her where entry to the area is by any means other than private, noncommercial vehicle, shall be exempt from paying the general admission charge to any state park in Louisiana.

B. Repealed by Acts 1995, No. 266, §2.

Acts 1980, No. 827, §1. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 526, §1; Acts 1990, No. 868, §1; Acts 1995, No. 266, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:304.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 304.4
Display of license
Status: in_force

Unless specifically provided for elsewhere, vessel licenses and license numbers shall be displayed in accordance with rules and regulations of the department.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:649.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 649.1
Lifetime hunting license
Status: in_force

Prior to June 1, 2022, any bona fide resident of this state may obtain a lifetime hunting license. The lifetime hunting license shall be in lieu of the following recreational hunting licenses: basic hunting, big game, primitive firearms, bow hunting, the Louisiana duck license, the WMA hunting permit, and the wild turkey license. After June 1, 2022, the license shall no longer be sold, but shall continue to provide to any holder privileges in lieu of basic hunting, deer, waterfowl, and turkey hunting licenses and shall permit WMA access.

Acts 1991, No. 184, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 859, §1, eff. July 1, 1992; Acts 1995, No. 110, §1; Acts 1997, No. 950, §1; Acts 2001, No. 186, §1; Acts 2001, No. 270, §1; Acts 2008, No. 51, §1, eff. June 5, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 100, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §3, eff. June 1, 2022.

NOTE: See Acts 1995, No. 110, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:325 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 325
Daily take, possession, and size limits; freshwater recreational fish; possession of finfish filets prohibited
Status: in_force

A. No person shall take in any one day more than the following of each species of fish, of the designated size where specified:

(1) Black bass ( Micropterus spp.), or their hybrids--fifteen.

(2) White bass ( Morone chrysops ), also locally called barfish--fifty.

(3) Yellow bass ( Morone mississippiensis )--fifty.

(4) Striped bass ( Morone saxatilis ), or their hybrids, in particular hybrid striped bass (white bass x striped bass), or any combination thereof--five, of which not more than two may exceed thirty inches total length.

(5) Crappie ( Pomoxis spp.), or their hybrids, also locally called white perch or sac-a-lait--fifty.

(6) Buffalo fish ( Ictiobus spp.), or their hybrids - minimum size sixteen inches total length - twenty-five.

(7) Freshwater drum ( Aplodinotus grunniens ), also locally called gaspergou - minimum size twelve inches total length - twenty-five.

(8) Blue catfish ( Ictalurus furcatus ) - minimum size twelve inches total length.

(9) Channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) - minimum size eleven inches total length.

(10) Flathead catfish ( Pylodictis olivaris ), also locally called spotted catfish, yellow catfish, or opelousas cat - minimum size fourteen inches total length.

(11) Shad ( Dorosoma spp.) - maximum allowance of fifty pounds.

(12) Crawfish - one hundred fifty pounds.

(13) Repealed by Acts 2013, No. 334, §2.

B.(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, no person shall have in his possession more than twice the number of fish specified in any paragraph of Subsection A of this Section.

(2) The possession limit for catfish caught on a recreational license shall be one hundred. The one hundred fish possessed may be a single species or any combination of blue, channel, or flathead catfish. In addition, a recreational fisherman shall be allowed a daily possession limit of twenty-five undersize catfish, either a single species or any combination of blue, channel, or flathead catfish.

(3) The possession limit for crappie caught in Toledo Bend Reservoir on a recreational license shall be one hundred fish.

(4) The possession limit for largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ) and spotted bass ( Micropterus punctulatus ) taken south of U.S. Highway 90 shall be three times the daily take limit when the fisherman holds and is in possession of a valid recreational fishing license and can show a landing receipt from a public boat launch located south of U.S. Highway 90 that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the fisherman has been actively on the water or at a remote camp that can be accessed only by water for two days or more. The fish shall be kept whole or whole gutted in separate bags for each species of fish. The bags shall be marked with the date the fish were taken, the species, the number of fish contained in the bag, and the name and license number of the person taking the fish. The fish shall only be in the possession of the person who took the fish. However, no fisherman shall be actively fishing or engaged in fishing while in possession of more than the daily take limit.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the commission may amend by rule, in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, size limits, daily take limits, possession limits, seasons, and times set by law for freshwater recreational fish. Such limits, seasons, and times may vary between and among waterbodies based on biological data or for purposes of research or experimentation.

D. Except as provided in this Subsection, no person shall possess any filleted fish while aboard a vessel on the water. However, for the purpose of fish consumption on the water aboard the harvesting vessel, a person shall have no more than two pounds of finfish filets per person on board the vessel, provided that the vessel is equipped to cook such finfish and such finfish does not exceed the applicable take limit.

E. Violation of any of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class two violation.

Acts 1974, No. 223, §1. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 510, §1; Acts 1978, No. 448, §1; Acts 1980, No. 604, §1; Acts 1982, No. 313, §1; Acts 1988, No. 86, §1; Acts 1989, No. 487, §1, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 488, §1, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 155, §1, eff. May 7, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 155, §1; Acts 2004, No. 237, §1, eff. June 15, 2004; Acts 2008, No. 23, §1, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2013, No. 334, §§1, 2; Acts 2014, No. 336, §1; Acts 2014, No. 389, §1; Acts 2018, No. 40, §1, eff. May 10, 2018; Acts 2021, No. 187, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1831 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1831
Agreements; land conservation organizations
Status: in_force

The department is authorized to enter into agreements with national, nonprofit membership land conservation organizations to conduct programs; manage, preserve, and conserve land; and to purchase lands.

Acts 1987, No. 324, §1, eff. July 6, 1987.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:306 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 306
Wholesale/retail seafood dealer's license; place of business; employees; exemptions; wholesale out-of-state crab shipping license; imported seafood license
Status: in_force

A.(1) Any person buying, acquiring, or handling, from any person, by any means whatsoever, any species of fish, whether fresh, frozen, processed, or unprocessed, in Louisiana from within or outside the state, for sale or resale, including bait species, whether on a commission basis or otherwise, is a wholesale/retail seafood dealer and must purchase a wholesale/retail seafood dealer's license.

(2) Repealed by Acts 2021, No. 356, §5, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.

B.(1) The license shall be in the name of the licensee and shall list the legal mailing address and the physical location of the place of business, and any other information required by the department. If the place of business is a vehicle, then the license shall state "vehicle" and shall list the legal mailing address and physical location of the licensee.

(2)(a) This license, when issued to an individual, allows the licensee to operate as a wholesale/retail seafood dealer at any point within the state when that person is in possession of the original license. The license is only valid for the person for whom it has been issued.

(b) This license, when issued to a corporation, partnership, or any other type of association, is only valid for one place of business and only valid to transact business for and in the name of the licensee.

(3) If the licensee owns or operates more than one place of business, then an additional wholesale/retail seafood dealer's license must be purchased for each additional place of business or vehicle. The additional licenses shall be in the same name of the operator, list a different license number than the original license, list the legal mailing address and the location of the place of business, and any other information required by the department.

(4) Individual employees of wholesale/retail seafood dealers are not required to obtain a wholesale/retail seafood dealer's license when transacting the business of the wholesale/retail seafood dealer on the premises of the place of business, or when delivering for or on behalf of a wholesale/retail seafood dealer and possessing a valid transport license purchased in connection with that wholesale/retail seafood dealer, but any employee or person buying, acquiring, handling, or selling fish as a wholesale/retail seafood dealer or for a wholesale/retail seafood dealer at any place other than on the premises of the place of business, or without a valid transport license for that wholesale/retail seafood dealer, must obtain a wholesale/retail seafood dealer's license. When individual employees of a wholesale/retail seafood dealer operate under authority of a transport license for the dealer, the wholesale/retail seafood dealer licensee remains responsible for all activities which take place under the authority of that license.

(5) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a person transporting fish under the privilege of a Louisiana transport license purchased in connection with a Louisiana wholesale/retail seafood dealer's license when that person buys fish for or on behalf of the wholesale/retail seafood dealer to whom such transport license was issued and only transports such fish to that wholesale/retail dealer in Louisiana. When a person operates under the authority of a transport license for that dealer, the wholesale/retail seafood dealer licensee remains responsible for all activities which take place under the authority of that license.

(6) Restaurants and retail grocers who only purchase fish or seafood, whether fresh, frozen, processed, or unprocessed, from a licensed wholesale/retail seafood dealer and only sell such fish or seafood fully prepared for immediate consumption by the consumer need not be licensed in compliance with the provisions of this Section. Any restaurant or retail grocer who sells fish or seafood as described in this Section shall be licensed in accordance with the applicable law. All restaurants and retail grocers shall maintain records as required in this Subpart.

(7)(a) In addition to the license requirements contained in this Section, any wholesale/retail seafood dealer who exports or attempts to export outside of the state of Louisiana any crabs, soft shell crabs, boiled crabs, containerized crabmeat, or containerized pasteurized crabmeat shall be required to purchase a wholesale out-of-state crab shipping license in addition to his wholesale/retail dealer's license. The wholesale out-of-state crab shipping license shall be issued in the same manner as a wholesale/retail seafood dealer's license and shall be issued only to a person who is a licensed wholesale/retail seafood dealer.

(b) The fee for a wholesale out-of-state crab shipping license shall be two hundred forty dollars per year. The license shall be valid for one year, beginning on January first of each calendar year and expiring on December thirty-first of the same calendar year. The license may be purchased at any time of the year for the current license year and from November fifteenth for the immediately following license year.

(c) All revenues collected from the issuance of wholesale out-of-state crab shipping licenses shall be deposited to the Crab Development, Management, and Derelict Crab Trap Removal Account as provided in R.S. 56:10(B)(1)(e).

(8)(a) In addition to the license requirements contained in this Section, any wholesale/retail seafood dealer who sells seafood sourced from outside of the federal exclusive economic zone (EEZ) shall be required to purchase an imported seafood license in addition to his wholesale/retail dealer's license. The imported seafood license shall be issued in the same manner as a wholesale/retail seafood dealer's license and shall be issued only to a person who is a licensed wholesale/retail seafood dealer.

(b) The license shall be valid for one year, beginning on January first of each calendar year and expiring on December thirty-first of the same calendar year. The license may be purchased at any time of the year for the current license year and from November fifteenth for the immediately following license year. The license fee shall be three hundred dollars.

(c) Ten percent of all revenues collected from the issuance of imported seafood licenses shall be deposited into the Conservation Fund as provided in R.S. 56:10, and the remainder shall be deposited into the Imported Seafood Safety Fund as provided in R.S. 40:5.10.1.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1; Acts 1990, No. 261, §1, eff. July 4, 1990; Acts 1997, No. 376, §1; Acts 1997, No. 866, §1; Acts 2004, No. 99, §1; Acts 2006, No. 401, §1, eff. Nov. 15, 2006; Acts 2008, No. 722, §1, eff. Nov. 15, 2008; Acts 2021, No. 356, §§2, 5, eff. Nov. 15, 2021; Acts 2024, No. 719, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:304.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 304.1
Vessel license; license year; purchase period
Status: in_force

A. A vessel license is valid for one year, beginning on January first of each calendar year and expiring on December thirty-first of the same calendar year.

B. A vessel license may be purchased at any time of the year for the current license year and from November fifteenth for the immediately following license year.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:284 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 284
Annual proposal; cost-sharing; purpose
Status: in_force

A. The secretary may annually submit a proposal to provide cost-sharing incentives to nutria trappers on lands determined to be eligible under R.S. 56:282 for approval by the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Authority, not to exceed fifty thousand dollars annually. If approved, only that portion of the economic incentives paid to trappers on eligible lands may be funded using monies from the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Fund. No other costs associated with the program shall be borne by the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Fund.

B. The purposes of this program shall be consistent with the purposes set forth in the Wetlands Conservation and Restoration Plan.

Acts 1990, No. 552, §1, eff. July 1, 1990.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:410.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 410.6
Calcasieu Lake in Calcasieu Parish; use of trammel nets, gill nets, strike nets, and seines
Status: in_force

A. No person shall set or use any trammel net, gill net, strike net, or seine for the taking of fish in that portion of Calcasieu Lake which is situated in Calcasieu Parish.

B. Violation of this Section constitutes a class two violation.

Acts 1995, No. 583, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:45 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 45
Jurisdiction of trial of violations
Status: in_force

Except as provided in R.S. 56:32.1, the district courts of this state shall have original jurisdiction of the trial of persons charged with violations of this Chapter.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §1; Acts 2021, No. 241, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:10.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 10.1
Aquatic Plant Control Dedicated Fund Account; creation; uses
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby created in the state treasury the Aquatic Plant Control Dedicated Fund Account, hereafter referred to in this Section as the "account".

B. After compliance with the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana relative to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund, and after a sufficient amount is allocated from that fund to pay all of the obligations secured by the full faith and credit of the state which become due and payable within any fiscal year, the treasurer shall pay into the account an amount equal to the monies received by the state treasury pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 34:851.20(A)(1) and 851.23, R.S. 47:462(B)(2)(c), and R.S. 30:961(K). If revenue credited to the account exceeds five million dollars annually, the state treasurer is authorized and directed to transfer any funds in excess of five million dollars to the Conservation Fund. The monies in the account shall be used solely as provided in Subsection C of this Section and only in the amount appropriated by the legislature. All unexpended and unencumbered monies remaining in the account at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the account. The monies in the account shall be invested by the state treasurer in the same manner as monies in the state general fund and all returns of such investment shall be deposited to the account. Monies deposited into the account shall be categorized as fees and self-generated revenue for the sole purpose of reporting related to the executive budget, supporting documents, and general appropriation bills and shall be available for annual appropriation by the legislature.

C. Subject to an annual appropriation by the legislature, the monies in the account shall be used solely by the office of fisheries, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, to fund the aquatic plant control program and to fund cooperative research and public education efforts by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The funds appropriated pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be in addition to any other amounts appropriated by the legislature.

Acts 2002, No. 77, §2, eff. July 1, 2002; Acts 2008, No. 235, §1; Acts 2014, No. 556, §2; Acts 2018, No. 698, §2; Acts 2021, No. 114, §16, eff. July 1, 2022; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1690 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1690
Capacity to sue and be sued
Status: in_force

Pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 36:201, the office of state parks may sue and be sued, under the style "State of Louisiana, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Office of State Parks, through the Secretary of said department."

Acts 1980, No. 827, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:676 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 676
Reciprocity; license fees; seasons; limits
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, where the commission fails to enter into a reciprocal agreement with a state as allowed in R.S. 56:673, 674, and 675, residents of that state shall be granted or sold privileges and licenses equal to those privileges and licenses granted or sold to Louisiana residents by the nonresident's state.

Acts 1984, No. 843, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:635 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 635
Diamondback terrapins; trapping; turtle eggs
Status: in_force

A. No person shall take diamondback terrapins by means of traps of any kind, and no person shall take the eggs of any species of turtle, except the red ear (Trachemys Scripta), wherever found.

B. No person shall ship diamondback terrapins out of the state between the fifteenth of April and the fifteenth of June. All diamondback terrapins caught by any means whatsoever during that period shall be immediately returned to the water alive.

Acts 1992, No. 256, §1, eff. July 1, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 604, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:332 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 332
Crabs; release of immature female crabs and crabs in berry stage; method of taking crabs; time limitations; by-catch; penalties, abandoned crab trap removal program; escape rings
Status: in_force

A. Crabs of legal size may be taken using any gear identified in R.S. 56:320(B)(3); however, the taking of crabs by means of trawls in inside waters is permitted only during the open season for shrimp. In no event, however, shall a person use a trawl with a mesh size less than that of commercial shrimp trawls for the purpose of taking crabs during the open season for shrimp.

B.(1) No person shall keep or sell immature female crabs or adult female crabs in berry stage, that is, when the adult females are carrying the eggs or young attached to the abdomen. All immature female crabs and crabs in berry stage taken by any means shall be returned immediately to the waters, unless the immature female crabs are in the premolt stage and are being held for processing as soft shell crabs or being sold to a processor for the producing of soft shell crabs. However, a legally licensed commercial crab fisherman may have an incidental take of immature female crabs in an amount not to exceed five percent or crabs in berry stage in an amount equal to not more than two percent of the total number of crabs in his possession.

(2) To determine whether the total number of crabs in possession violates this Subsection, the enforcement agent shall take a random sample of fifty crabs from each crate or group of crabs equivalent to one crate. If more than five percent of the crabs in that fifty crab random sample are immature female crabs or adult crabs in berry stage, the entire number of crabs in that crate or group of crabs equivalent to one crate shall be considered to be in violation.

(3) Crabs in a work box, as defined in R.S. 56:8, shall not be subject to the immature female or adult berry stage restriction while the crabs are held aboard the vessel and the fisherman is actively fishing.

C.(1) The baiting, tending, checking, or removing of serviceable crab traps in use and the contents of such crab traps or their lines, buoys, or markers shall be prohibited in public waters during the time period from one-half hour after legal sunset until one-half hour before legal sunrise.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of the law to the contrary, violation of any provisions of this Subsection constitutes a class four violation.

D. The commission shall promulgate and adopt rules and regulations to establish a marking system for crab traps sufficient to enable the department's agents to clearly identify crab traps including the name and license number of the owner of such crab traps and sufficient to enforce all laws relative to such crab traps.

E.(1) Except as provided in Subsection N of this Section, crab traps which are no longer serviceable or in use shall be removed from the water by the owner thereof and properly disposed of or stored by him. Except as provided in Subsection N of this Section, no person shall intentionally damage or destroy serviceable crab traps or the floats or lines attached thereto, or remove the contents thereof, other than the licensee or his agent.

(2) A person intentionally discarding an unserviceable crab trap in navigable waters shall be guilty of a class two violation.

F.(1) Theft of a crab trap or crabs from within a crab trap shall be prohibited and shall constitute a class four violation punishable as provided in R.S. 56:34.

(2) In addition to all other penalties provided in this Subsection, for the first violation of this Subsection, the department shall suspend or revoke the violator's crab trap gear license for a period of one year from the date of the conviction and no new crab trap gear license shall be issued to the violator during the period of suspension or revocation. During the period in which the violator's license is suspended or revoked, the violator may be present on a vessel commercially harvesting or processing crabs only if that vessel is equipped with and is actively using a vessel monitoring system accessible to the department as prescribed in R.S. 56:424.1(B). In addition, the violator shall be sentenced to perform no less than forty hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served removing abandoned crab traps as a part of the derelict crab trap removal program or in a litter abatement community service program.

(3) In addition to all other penalties provided in this Subsection, for a second violation of this Subsection, the department shall suspend or revoke the violator's crab trap gear license for a period of three years from the date of the conviction and no new crab trap gear license shall be issued to the violator during the period of suspension or revocation. During the period in which the violator's license is suspended or revoked, the violator may be present on a vessel commercially harvesting or processing crabs only if that vessel is equipped with and is actively using a vessel monitoring system accessible to the department as prescribed in R.S. 56:424.1(B). In addition, the violator shall be sentenced to perform no less than ninety hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served removing abandoned crab traps as a part of the derelict crab trap removal program or in a litter abatement community service program.

(4) In addition to the other penalties provided in this Subsection, for a third or subsequent violation of this Subsection, the violator's crab trap gear license shall be suspended or revoked for a period of ten years from the date of the conviction and no new crab trap gear license shall be issued to the violator during the period of suspension or revocation. During the period in which the violator's license is suspended or revoked, the violator shall not be present on a vessel commercially harvesting or processing crabs. In addition, the violator shall be sentenced to perform no less than one hundred twenty hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served removing abandoned crab traps as a part of the derelict crab trap removal program or in a litter abatement community service program.

G. No crab traps shall be set in navigable channels or entrances to streams. It shall be the responsibility of the crab fisherman to place his crab traps so vessels can safely navigate and also to dispose of his unserviceable crab traps. Violation of any provision of this Subsection shall be a class two violation. A shrimper who catches an unserviceable crab trap shall keep it on board his vessel and properly dispose of it at a designated disposal site if one is available. Except as provided in Subsection N of this Section, a shrimper who catches an otherwise serviceable trap without a float shall return it to the water with a common float. Any fisherman with a crab fishing license may raise and check any trap with a common float to determine ownership. The owner of the trap shall return the common float to any shrimper for reuse. The color of the common float shall be determined by the commission.

H.(1) Violation of any provision of this Section constitutes a class four violation, except as otherwise provided in this Section and specifically as provided in Subsection F of this Section.

(2) In addition to the penalties associated with a class four violation under the provisions of R.S. 56:34, for the first conviction of a class four violation of this Section, the court shall also sentence the violator to perform forty hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served removing abandoned crab traps as a part of a derelict crab trap removal program or in a community service litter abatement program.

(3) In addition to the penalties associated with a class four violation under the provisions of R.S. 56:34, for the second conviction of a class four violation of this Section, the court shall revoke or suspend the violator's crab trap gear license for one year from the date of the conviction and no new crab trap gear license shall be issued to the violator during the period of suspension or revocation. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing crabs only if the vessel is equipped with and is actively using a vessel monitoring system accessible to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as prescribed in R.S. 56:424.1(B). The court shall also sentence the violator to perform forty hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served removing abandoned crab traps as a part of a derelict crab trap removal program or in a community service litter abatement program.

(4) For a third conviction of a class four violation of this Section, the court shall revoke or suspend the violator's crab trap gear license for three years from the date of the third conviction and no new crab trap gear license shall be issued to the violator during the period of suspension or revocation. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing crabs only if the vessel is equipped with and is actively using an operating vessel monitoring system as described in R.S. 56:424.1(B) that is accessible to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. In addition, the court shall sentence the violator to perform no less than ninety hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served removing abandoned crab traps as a part of a derelict crab trap removal program or in a community service litter abatement program.

(5) For a fourth or subsequent conviction of a class four violation of this Section, the court shall revoke or suspend the violator's crab trap gear license for ten years from the date of the last conviction and no new crab trap gear license shall be issued to the violator during the period of suspension or revocation. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing crabs only if the vessel is equipped with and is actively using an operating vessel monitoring system as described in R.S. 56:424.1(B) that is accessible to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. In addition, the court shall sentence the violator to perform no less than one hundred twenty hours of community service. If available, the hours shall be served removing abandoned crab traps as a part of a derelict crab trap removal program or in a community service litter abatement program.

I. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the taking of crabs with legal crab traps, crab pots, nets, and lines shall be permitted in the Lake Catherine and Lake Pontchartrain Sanctuary including the waters of Lake Catherine, and its passes, the Rigolets, Unknown Pass, and Chef Menteur, and that portion of Lake Pontchartrain as follows: The whole area from where the Rigolets and Chef Menteur Passes enter Lake Pontchartrain extending in a westerly direction to a point four miles west of the Southern Railway Bridge, being all of Lake Pontchartrain and its tributaries lying east of the Southern Railway Bridge, and all that portion of Lake Pontchartrain extending four miles west of the Southern Railway Bridge, between the northern and southern shore line, as well as that portion extending out four miles from shore along the Orleans Parish shore line to the Jefferson-Orleans Parish line, and that area of Lake Pontchartrain along the north shore extending out four miles from shore and running from the Southern Railway Bridge to a line drawn between a point four miles southwest of Goose Point and Goose Point.

J. Metal tackle or metal crab traps shall not be used in any of the public waters north of the Intracoastal Canal in the Calcasieu River or in any body of water comprising the Calcasieu River System north of the Intracoastal Canal, or in the waters of Vermilion Bay from Cypremort Point one mile offshore to Blue Point.

K. Except as otherwise provided in this Subsection, each crab trap shall have a minimum of three escape rings. All escape rings shall be placed on the vertical, outside walls. A minimum of two escape rings shall be located in the upper chamber flush with the baffle. A minimum of one escape ring shall be located in the lower chamber no greater than one mesh length from the trap floor. Beginning on July 1, 2022, all escape rings shall be located no greater than one mesh length from the corners. The minimum sizes of the rings shall be two and three-eighths inches in inside diameter, not including the ring material. The rings shall be rigid and attached to the trap with material of an equal or smaller diameter than the wire strands of the trap. Except from April first through June thirtieth and from September first through October thirty-first, escape ring openings shall not be obstructed with any material that prevents or hampers exit of crabs. However, the provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to any crab trap constructed of wire mesh two and five-sixteenths inches square or greater.

L. The limit for blue crabs taken for recreational purposes shall be twelve dozen, or one hundred forty-four crabs, daily and in possession.

M.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 56:320, a licensed commercial fisherman may retain for personal consumption finfish caught as by-catch in crab traps up to an aggregate of twenty-five finfish per vessel per day. However, no game fish or spotted sea trout may be kept as a part of the aggregate allowed by the provisions of this Subsection. Any fish kept under the provisions of this Subsection shall be subject to statutory and regulatory size and possession limits applicable to recreational fishing.

(2) In addition to any fish retained as by-catch, any licensed commercial fisherman holding a gear license which allows him to take finfish for commercial purposes may possess any finfish caught under that gear license up to the commercial possession limit allowable for such finfish and such finfish shall not be required to be segregated from the by-catch allowed in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

N.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission may develop and establish a program to remove abandoned crab traps from state-owned lake and river beds and other water bottoms of the state. Any crab trap found in state-owned lakes and river beds and other water bottoms of the state during a period of time when their use has been prohibited by the commission under the provisions of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection shall be considered abandoned and may be removed by those persons authorized by the commission.

(2) The commission may prohibit crab traps in state-owned lake and river beds and other water bottoms of the state as follows:

(a) During a sixteen-consecutive-day period between February first and March thirty-first, the commission may prohibit crab traps in one or more geographical areas of the state.

(b) During a fourteen-consecutive-day period of time which includes the opening day of the spring inshore shrimp season the commission may prohibit crab traps in one or more geographical areas of the state.

(c) At any time crab harvest is closed for biological or technical reasons, the commission may prohibit crab traps for the duration of the closure.

(d) The period of time for the prohibitions of crab traps authorized in Subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this Paragraph shall be specified by the commission for each geographical area, which period may be for fewer than the sixteen consecutive days, but shall consist of consecutive days within the sixteen-consecutive-day period.

(3) The commission shall adopt and promulgate under the Administrative Procedure Act rules and regulations to provide for a prohibition on the use of crab traps and for the removal of abandoned traps and their disposal. The rules shall, at a minimum, specify the beginning and ending dates for the prohibition on the use of crab traps, the geographical area within which the use of crab traps shall be prohibited, who is authorized to remove the abandoned traps, and the disposition of the abandoned traps.

Acts 1974, No. 223, §1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 742, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1978, No. 328, §1, eff. July 10, 1978; Acts 1978, No. 662, §1; Acts 1979, No. 280, §1; Acts 1979, No. 606, §1; Acts 1981, No. 479, §1; Acts 1981, No. 838, §1; Acts 1984, No. 230, §1, eff. June 29, 1984; Acts 1986, No. 904, §§3, 4; Acts 1987, No. 602, §1; Acts 1987, No. 854, §1; Acts 1988, No. 119, §1; Acts 1988, No. 330, §§1, 2; Acts 1989, No. 591, §1; Acts 1989, No. 738, §1; Acts 1989, No. 739, §1; Acts 1991, No. 859, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1044, §1; Acts 1997, No. 302, §1; Acts 1999, No. 179, §1; Acts 1999, No. 422, §1, eff. June 18, 1999; Acts 2003, No. 48, §1; Acts 2003, No. 565, §1; Acts 2003, No. 566, §1; Acts 2006, No. 401, §1, eff. Nov. 15, 2006; Acts 2008, No. 23, §1, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 932, §1; Acts 2013, No. 16, §1; Acts 2014, No. 539, §1, eff. Nov. 15, 2017; Acts 2017, No. 153, §1; Acts 2018, No. 338, §1; Acts 2019, No. 48, §1, eff. June 1, 2019; Acts 2019, No. 74, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:632.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 632.6
Methods of collection
Status: in_force

A. The use of gasoline, chemicals, or other volatile substances to flush reptiles and amphibians from natural hiding places, nests, or dens is prohibited.

B. The destruction of natural habitats is prohibited. All logs, rocks, and other natural objects may be turned over or moved, but they must be replaced in their original position upon completion of the collector's inspection.

C. Any trap or other device designed to capture reptiles or amphibians, which remains in the field unattended, must bear a tag with the name, address, and license number of the collector. All such devices must be checked every twenty-four hours or they must be rendered unworkable during periods of nonuse.

D. A violation of this Section is a class one violation.

Acts 1992, No. 256, §1, eff. July 1, 1993.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:58 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 58
Disposition of seizures other than vessels, airplanes, and other vehicles
Status: in_force

A. Where things seized under the provisions of R.S. 56:56 are not confiscated by the department and are not perishable, they shall be held by the secretary for use as evidence in connection with any prosecution for violations of this Chapter. If the penalty for the offense charged in connection with the seizure includes forfeiture of the things seized, upon conviction of the offender, the things are forfeited to the department and shall be disposed of as provided in R.S. 56:61. If the penalty for the offense charged in connection with the seizure does not include forfeiture of the things or if there is no conviction, the things, upon conclusion of the trial, shall be returned to the person from whom seized.

B. Where the seizure is of perishables, other than oysters, menhaden and other herring-like fishes, and, because of the lack of readily available facilities for preservation, the expense of preservation as related to the value of the thing, the condition of the thing at time of seizure, or other circumstances not within the control of the secretary, it is impracticable to hold the thing for use as evidence, the secretary shall dispose of the thing, according to rules and regulations adopted by the commission and in all cases, however, using his best efforts to preserve a sample of the thing for use as evidence. Disposition, in the discretion of the commission, may include public or private sale, gifts to schools or charitable institutions, destruction, or return of the thing to its natural habitat. If the penalty for the offense charged in connection with the seizure does not include forfeiture or if there is no conviction, proceeds from any sale under this Subsection, less expenses of the sale, shall be returned to the person from whom the thing was seized.

C. Where oysters have been seized, the commission may require return, at the expense of the person from whom seized, to the area from which the oysters have been removed, or, at the option of the commission, the oysters may be sold at public or private sale, except in the case of polluted oysters. The proceeds of any sale shall be held by the commission until final determination of any proceedings had with respect to the seizure.

D. Where menhaden or other herring-like fishes have been seized, the commission may direct the captain of the resident vessel, at the expense of the person from whom seized, to proceed to the Louisiana processing plant to which the vessel is normally assigned for processing and determination of the value of the catch to the vessel. The owner or captain of the vessel shall immediately deposit with the commission an amount of cash or a certified check for the determined value of the catch to the vessel. Nonresident vessels shall not be released or directed to proceed to points outside of the state until the owner of the vessel binds and obligates himself to meet the same provisions as imposed upon resident vessels and owners. Menhaden and other herring-like fishes may also be sold at public or private sale at the option of the commission. The proceeds shall be held by the commission until final determination of any proceedings had with respect to the seizure.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:38 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 38
Revocation of license
Status: in_force

A. In addition to all other penalties provided hereunder, whoever violates any provision of this Chapter in accordance with classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 upon conviction, may as otherwise provided in this Chapter have the license under which the violation occurred revoked for the period for which it was issued.

B. If the revocation set out in Subsection A of this Section is for a class 3 or lesser violation, it shall not preclude the obtaining of aid for training or sale of gear nor the obtaining of a rod or reel license or other net license for a subsequent period. The provisions of this Subsection shall be applied retroactively.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1413, §1, eff. July 15, 1997.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:671 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 671
Reciprocal agreement; fishing license
Status: in_force

The commission may enter into reciprocal fishing license agreements with the authorities of any other state. Any reciprocal agreement shall become effective when ratified in writing both by the commission and the authorities of the reciprocating state and shall remain in effect until ninety days after it has been rescinded in writing by either the commission or the authorities of the reciprocating state.

Added by Acts 1968, No. 239, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:116.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 116.2
Wild birds and wild quadrupeds; sales, purchases of parts prohibited; exceptions
Status: in_force

A.(1) No person shall sell, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange or attempt to sell, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange any game quadruped, or any part or portion thereof, wild bird, or the plumage, aigrettes, skin, or body thereof, except as provided in R.S. 56:171 through 181 and except as provided in Subsection B of this Section. Each sale, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange or attempt to sell, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange of each game quadruped or wild bird, or any part or portion thereof, constitutes a separate offense under the provisions of this Subsection.

(2) Violation of the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, except for the sale, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange or attempt to sell, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange of squirrels or wild rabbits or their parts, constitutes a class 5-A violation. If a violation of Paragraph (1) involves the sale, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange or attempt to sell, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange of squirrels or wild rabbits, or parts or portions thereof, the penalty imposed shall be a class three violation.

B. The provisions of Subsection A of this Section shall not prevent the sale, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange or attempt to sell, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange of tails or hides, or both, of legally taken squirrels or the sale, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange or the attempt to sell, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange of hides of legally taken deer to licensed fur buyers and licensed fur dealers, provided that the sale, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange or attempt to sell, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange of any such tails or hides is made within ten days of the close of the squirrel or deer hunting season, as applicable. Fur buyers shall dispose of any such tails or hides within thirty days of the close of the squirrel or deer hunting season, as applicable. Any fur dealer having such tails or hides in his possession after the close of the squirrel or deer hunting season, as applicable, shall file with the department within thirty days of the close of said season, and at sixty-day intervals thereafter, a complete report, under oath, on forms procured from the department. The report shall contain the name and address of all persons from whom the tails or hides were purchased, traded, bartered, or exchanged and the place and date of purchase, trade, barter, or exchange. Violation of the provisions of this Subsection constitutes a class three violation.

C. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to deer antlers or to any unclaimed specimen left in the possession of a taxidermist, provided that he meets the requirements of R.S. 9:192.

Acts 1992, No. 966, §1; Acts 2014, No. 295, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1701 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1701
Kent Plantation House, agreements for operation and maintenance
Status: in_force

A. The Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism is hereby authorized to enter into a cooperative agreement with any appropriate public or private entity for the operation and maintenance of the Kent House State Historic Site, also known as the Kent Plantation House. Such agreement shall be made and implemented in the same manner and subject to the same provisions as agreements between parishes, municipalities, and political subdivisions as provided in Subpart A of Part VII of Chapter 2 of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

B. Subject to annual appropriations, to be provided in appropriations for the operations of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism and specifically designated for such purpose, the department is authorized to transfer funds of not less than fifty-six thousand dollars annually, as appropriated, to the operating entity for the performance of such operation and maintenance. The department shall include in its annual request for operating funds an amount sufficient to accomplish the obligations so transferred.

C. The operating entity shall establish rules, regulations, and policies consistent with state and local law for the operation of said site, and all such rules, regulations, and policies shall be subject to approval by the office of state parks of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 613, §1; eff. July 1, 1983; Acts 1999, No. 709, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:402 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 402
Commercial fishing in Lake Bruin prohibited; penalty
Status: in_force

All catching of fish in any manner for commercial purposes in Lake Bruin including that part of the lake called Brushy and the following streams and bayous leading into or out of Lake Bruin: Bruin's Bayou, Choctaw Bayou, Ruth's Ditch, Catfish Bayou, Blue Hole, or Gillespie Ditch situated in the parish of Tensas, is prohibited. The department shall take such steps as necessary to prevent the catching of fish in any manner for commercial purposes at any time in the lake and its tributaries. The department may provide for open season and permit the taking of commercial fish from those waters for reasonable periods when in its judgment and discretion no harm would result therefrom and the taking would tend to the conservation and replenishment of the fish and aquatic life in Lake Bruin. Violation of this Section constitutes a class two violation.

Acts 1974, No. 223, §2. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 837, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:430 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 430
Additional lease stipulations
Status: in_force

A. Repealed by Acts 2001, No. 438, §2.

B.(1) Lessees, under the supervision of the department, shall stake off and mark the leased water bottoms by ranges, monuments, stakes, buoys, and the like, in order to locate accurately and fix the limits of each lease by prominently marking such leased water bottoms with signs which state the lease number or name or initials of the leaseholder. Oysters shall not be harvested from any unmarked lease.

(2) For purposes of preventing trawling in seeded areas under R.S. 56:423(B), lessees shall clearly mark and delineate as required by law or regulation the area which has been seeded. A lease shall be posted with prominent, durable signs stating "NO TRAWLING OR SEINING-OYSTER LEASE".

(3) A violation of this Section shall be a class two violation.

Acts 1981, No. 925, §1. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 314, §1; Acts 1991, No. 567, §1; Acts 1991, No. 788, §1; Acts 1992, No. 222, §1; Acts 2001, No. 438, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1784 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1784
Intergovernmental cooperation; financing
Status: in_force

As provided in Article VI, Section 20 of the Louisiana Constitution and for the purpose of implementing a "Rails to Trails" program, a political subdivision may exercise and perform any authorized power and function, including financing, jointly or in cooperation with one or more political subdivisions, either within or without the state, or with the United States or its agencies.

Acts 1990, No. 1016, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:700.10 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 700.10
Purpose
Status: in_force

With declining reserves and oil and gas becoming harder to discover it is incumbent upon the state to remove as many obstacles as it can which might impede the future exploration and development of minerals in the public waterbottoms. Oyster leases and oil and gas exploration and production have historically utilized much of the same areas in the waterways and waterbottoms on public lands in the state. The oil and gas industry has been faced with the problem of having to negotiate damages to oyster beds to conduct geophysical surveys, drilling activities, and movement of equipment to and from well sites in an uncertain and unpredictable manner which is creating an undue burden on the industry. The purpose of this Part is to effect an equitable solution to the problem which will result in fair and predictable treatment to the oil and gas industry while assuring the oyster fishermen actual compensation for damages to their oyster beds due to mineral activities. The state has a tremendous interest in preserving the viability of both industries. Since both activities are granted on public waterbottoms by the state it is the obligation of the state to resolve the problems created by this impasse; therefore, the legislature does hereby establish the Oyster Lease Damage Evaluation Board to promulgate rules and regulations to determine the method of establishing a uniform system of compensation for actual damages caused to the beds of leaseholders based on biological test data.

Acts 1995, No. 1304, §1, eff. June 29, 1995.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:301.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 301.7
Dedication of proceeds of licenses
Status: in_force

A. Proceeds from all recreational licenses issued under Subpart B of this Part are dedicated to the Conservation Fund and shall be expended by the department for the purpose of maintaining fish hatcheries, sanctuaries, and in the general work of the enforcement of its laws by the department except that proceeds received from the sale of licenses issued for the taking of saltwater finfish shall be expended for the purpose of supporting research, management, and administration of saltwater finfish by the saltwater finfish section of the seafood division and except that proceeds from the sale of freshwater trout licenses shall be expended for the purpose of supporting the stocking, management, and administration of the freshwater trout program by the fisheries section of the freshwater fish division.

B. Proceeds from commercial licenses issued under Subparts C, D, E, and G of this Part are dedicated to the Conservation Fund and shall be expended by the department for the purpose of propagating and developing the fish industry, for fish cultural purposes, and in the general work of the department except that proceeds received from the sale of licenses issued for the taking or selling of saltwater finfish shall be expended for the purpose of supporting research, protection, management, and administration of saltwater finfish by the marine fisheries division and the enforcement division.

C. Proceeds from commercial licenses issued under Subpart F of this Part are dedicated to the Conservation Fund and shall be expended by the department for the purpose of development and administration of the dealer receipt forms program.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1; Acts 1990, No. 455,§1; Acts 1997, No. 376, §1.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1851 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1851
Penalties and enforcement
Status: in_force

A.(1) The administrator may impose a civil penalty of up to one thousand dollars for each violation of this Part or the rules and regulations adopted under this Part and the administrator may suspend, annul, withdraw, or revoke any permit issued pursuant to this Part for any such violation. Each day on which a violation occurs shall be a separate offense.

(2) Civil penalties may be assessed and the suspension, annulment, withdrawal, or revocation of a permit may be imposed only by a ruling of the administrator based on an adjudicatory hearing held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:950 et seq.

(3) The administrator may institute civil proceedings to enforce his rulings in the district court for the parish in which the violation occurs.

B. The administrator may issue cease and desist orders, compliance orders, and obtain injunctions or other appropriate relief upon determining that a violation of this Part or rules and regulations adopted under this Part or agreements made pursuant to the provisions of this Part has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur.

C. Unless otherwise provided by this Part, intentional violation of the provisions of this Part constitutes a class 2-B violation; however, there shall be no forfeiture of anything seized in connection with the violation.

Acts 1987, No. 646, §1; Acts 1988, No. 947, §1, eff. July 27, 1988; Acts 2003, No. 98, §1; Acts 2021, No. 241, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:111 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 111
Removal or destruction of signs
Status: in_force

No person shall willfully or maliciously remove, destroy or deface any sign or notice placed or posted pursuant to R.S. 56:109.

Amended by Acts 1974, No. 717, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:316 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 316
Trespass on areas set aside for propagation of fish
Status: in_force

A. No person shall willfully enter into or upon any building or other structure, or any area of land or water, set apart and used by or under authority of the commission for conducting scientific experiments or investigations, or for the propagation and distribution of fish, after the commission has printed notices of such occupation and use and the purpose thereof. These notices shall be placed in a conspicuous position adjacent to the area or upon the building or other structure.

B. No person shall willfully and maliciously injure or deface any such building or other structure or any notice posted as aforesaid; nor injure or destroy any property used in such experiments, investigations, or fish propagation; or otherwise interfere therewith.

C. Violation of any of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class 2-B violation.

Acts 1974, No. 223, §1; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992; Acts 2021, No. 241, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:495.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 495.1
Trawling vessels; size of trawls; butterfly nets
Status: in_force

A.(1) No trawling shall be permitted in inside waters during the closed season. No vessel may pull more than the following trawl rigging in inside waters:

(a) One trawl which shall not exceed fifty feet in length along the corkline and sixty-six feet along the lead line and in addition, one test trawl.

(b) Two trawls which shall not exceed twenty-five feet along the corkline, thirty-three feet along the lead line, and have trawl doors no larger than eight feet in length and forty-three inches in height and, in addition, one test trawl.

(c) Two trawls which shall not exceed twenty-five feet along the corkline, thirty-three feet along the lead line, and have no more than two outer trawl doors no larger than eight feet in length and forty-three inches in height and no more than two inner sled doors, and in addition, one test trawl.

(2) It shall be legal for a vessel in Breton and Chandeleur Sounds to pull no more than one or two trawls, either or both of which cannot exceed sixty-five feet along the corkline and eighty-two feet along the lead line in length, plus one test trawl. The boundary of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds for the use of these trawls shall be as follows: Beginning at the most northerly point on the south side of Taylor Pass, latitude 29 degrees 22 minutes 50.4 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 20 minutes 3.8 seconds W. which is on the inside-outside shrimp line as described in R.S. 56:495; thence westerly to Deep Water Point, latitude 29 degrees 23 minutes 24.7 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 22 minutes 49.8 seconds W.; thence westerly to Coquille Point, latitude 29 degrees 23 minutes 18.0 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 23 minutes 57.7 seconds W.; thence westerly to Raccoon Point, latitude 29 degrees 24 minutes 02.3 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 28 minutes 05.7 seconds W.; thence northwesterly to California Point, latitude 29 degrees 27 minutes 21.7 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 31 minutes 19.7 seconds W.; thence northerly to Mozambique Point, latitude 29 degrees 37 minutes 43.4 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 29 minutes 27.4 seconds W.; thence northeasterly to Grace Point (red light no. 62 on the MRGO), latitude 29 degrees 40 minutes 40.5 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 23 minutes 08.0 seconds W.; thence northerly to Deadman Point, latitude 29 degrees 44 minutes 23.0 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 21 minutes 09.0 seconds W.; thence easterly to Point Lydia, latitude 29 degrees 45 minutes 48.0 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 17 minutes 10.0 seconds W.; thence northerly to Point Comfort, latitude 29 degrees 49 minutes 33.7 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 14 minutes 42.7 seconds W.; thence northerly to the most easterly point of Mitchell Island, latitude 29 degrees 53 minutes 46.0 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 12 minutes 22.0 seconds W.; thence northerly to the most easterly point on Martin Island, latitude 29 degrees 57 minutes 29.6 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 11 minutes 36.6 seconds W.; thence northerly to the most easterly point on Brush Island, latitude 30 degrees 02 minutes 38.6 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 10 minutes 23.6 seconds W.; thence northerly to Door Point, latitude 30 degrees 03 minutes 46.0 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 10 minutes 36.0 seconds W.; thence northerly to the most easterly point on Isle Au Pitre, latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 20.5 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 11 minutes 15.5 seconds W.; thence north 03 degrees 20 minutes 13 seconds east (grid) a distance of 20001.25 feet (grid) to a point on the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary, latitude 30 degrees 12 minutes 37.9056 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 10 minutes 57.9725 seconds W.; thence south 60 degrees 20 minutes 06 seconds east (grid) along the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary a distance of 31555.93 feet (grid), latitude 30 degrees 09 minutes 58.1371 seconds N., longitude 89 degrees 05 minutes 48.9910 seconds W.; thence south 82 degrees 53 minutes 54 seconds east (grid) continuing along the Louisiana-Mississippi Lateral Boundary a distance of 72650.64 feet, latitude 30 degrees 08 minutes 14.6070 seconds N., longitude 88 degrees 52 minutes 10.0766 seconds W.; thence south 0 degrees 03 minutes 38 seconds west (grid) a distance of 32493.40 feet (grid) to the Chandeleur Light, latitude 30 degrees 02 minutes 53.0312 seconds N., longitude 88 degrees 52 minutes 18.4173 seconds W., which is on the inside-outside shrimp line as described in R.S. 56:495; thence southerly along the inside-outside shrimp line as described in R.S. 56:495 to the point of beginning.

(3) "Test trawl", as used in this Section, means a trawl which is not more than sixteen feet along the corkline or twenty feet along the lead line or head rope.

B. Fishing with a butterfly net or skimmer net shall be prohibited in inside waters during the closed season.

C. In outside waters, no vessel shall pull more than four trawls and one test trawl.

D. Violation of the provisions of this Section shall constitute a class four violation.

E.(1) In addition to any and all other penalties, for the first conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court may revoke or suspend the violator's trawl, skimmer, and butterfly gear licenses for one year from the date of the conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net, only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The court shall sentence the violator to perform forty hours of community service. If a litter abatement community service is available, the hours shall be served in a community service litter abatement program.

(2) For the second conviction of shrimping during the closed season, the court shall revoke or suspend the violator's trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear licenses for three years from the date of the second conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net, only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. In lieu of the mandatory jail requirement found in R.S. 56:34, the court may sentence the offender to perform the corresponding amount of jail days in community service. If a litter abatement community service is available, the hours shall be served in a community service litter abatement program.

(3) For the third and subsequent convictions of shrimping during the closed season, the court shall revoke or suspend the violator's trawl, skimmer, or butterfly gear licenses for ten years from the date of the last conviction. During such revocation or suspension, the violator may be present on a vessel harvesting or possessing shrimp or possessing a trawl, skimmer, or butterfly net, only if the vessel is equipped with and employs an operating vessel monitoring system which is accessible to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. In lieu of the mandatory jail requirement found in R.S. 56:34, except for thirty days of the requirement, the court may sentence the offender to perform the corresponding amount of jail days in community service. If a litter abatement community service is available, the hours shall be served in a community service litter abatement program.

F.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, in Louisiana offshore territorial waters extending from the Texas state line to the Mississippi state line, each shrimping vessel shall, in addition to one test trawl, only use nets that do not exceed a total maximum per vessel of one hundred thirty feet of corkline and one hundred sixty-five feet of lead line.

(2) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, violation of the provisions of this Subsection shall constitute a class four violation.

(3) The provisions of this Subsection shall supersede and control to the extent of any conflict with any other provision of law.

G. Any person required to be on board a vessel with an approved vessel monitoring system shall comply with all rules and regulations adopted by the department to ensure compliance with vessel monitoring system requirements. The cost of a vessel monitoring system shall be the responsibility of the person required to be on such vessel. The department shall determine approved vessel monitoring systems.

Added by Acts 1962, No. 452, §2. Amended by Acts 1964, No. 490, §1; Acts 1971, No. 179, §1; Acts 1977, No. 549, §§1, 2; Acts 1978, No. 295, §1, eff. July 10, 1978; Acts 1979, No. 291, §1; Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 1983, No. 600, §1; Acts 1984, No. 692, §1; Acts 1985, No. 657, §1, eff. July 16, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 864, §1; Acts 1986, No. 904, §3; SCR No. 60, 1987; Acts 1988, No. 958, §1, eff. July 27, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 894, §1, eff. July 21, 1988; Acts 1990, No. 250, §1, eff. July 3, 1990; Acts 1991, No. 258, §1; Acts 1991, No. 931, §1; Acts 1995, No. 1140, §1, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 262, §1, eff. June 17, 1997; Acts 1997, No. 277, §1; Acts 1999, No. 421, §1; Acts 2001, No. 148, §1; Acts 2005, No. 102, §1; Acts 2005, No. 183, §1; Acts 2008, No. 320, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 2008.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:35 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 35
Class five violation
Status: in_force

The following penalties shall be imposed for a class five violation, for the purpose of the mandatory jail sentence this class shall be divided into two Sections, 5-A and 5-B.

A. The fine for class 5-A violation shall be for the first offense not less than five hundred dollars nor more than seven hundred fifty dollars and shall be sentenced to serve not less than fifteen nor more than thirty days in jail; not less than seven hundred fifty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars and not less than sixty nor more than ninety days in jail for the second offense. For the third and all subsequent offenses, the fine shall be not less than seven hundred fifty dollars nor more than one thousand dollars and shall serve not less than ninety nor more than one hundred twenty days in jail.

B. A class 5-B violation shall for the first offense be a fine of not less than three hundred and fifty dollars and not more than five hundred dollars and shall be imprisonment in jail for thirty days. For the second offense the violator shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned in jail for sixty days. For the third and all subsequent offenses, the violator shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars and not more than two thousand dollars and shall be imprisoned in jail for ninety days.

In addition to the above fines and jail sentences and for both classes 5-A and 5-B of class five violations, the license under which the violation occurred shall be revoked and shall not be reinstated at any time during the period for which it was issued and for one year thereafter.

The above penalties in all cases shall include forfeiture to the department of anything seized in connection with the violation.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:71 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 71
Governor authorized to enter into compact with other states relative to better utilization of fisheries
Status: in_force

The governor shall execute a compact on behalf of Louisiana with any one or more of the states of Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Texas, and with such other states as may enter into the compact legally therein in the form substantially as follows in this Part.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:304.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 304.3
Registered vessels
Status: in_force

A commercial fishing vessel is considered registered under the laws of this state and for purposes of Section 306 of the Magnuson Fisheries Conservation and Management Act whenever the vessel is licensed pursuant to this Subpart, is owned or operated by a person licensed under this Part, or whenever the vessel is used to bring fish into the state or its coastal waters or to fish for, take, catch, or transport fish that come into the state or its coastal waters.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:303.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 303.3
Helpers
Status: in_force

When a person in charge of the operation of a commercial fishing vessel, whether or not that person is the owner of the commercial fishing vessel, has a commercial fisherman's license and is on board the commercial fishing vessel, then any person assisting in commercial fishing under the supervision of such licensed person need not have a commercial fisherman's license in his name; provided, however, nothing in this Section shall be construed to authorize any person to engage in commercial fishing in any of the waters of this state at any time when the commercial fisherman's license of the person has been revoked or suspended.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1907 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1907
Penalties and enforcement
Status: in_force

Any violation of the provisions of this Part or any regulation adopted pursuant to the provisions of this Part shall constitute a class six violation punishable under the provisions of R.S. 56:36.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 473, §1. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 2017, No. 228, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1866 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1866
Registration of natural areas
Status: in_force

A.(1) The owner of any natural area may, if the department so agrees, register the natural area by entering into a voluntary oral or written agreement with the department for the owner to manage and protect the natural area according to the rules and regulations promulgated by the department. If the owner agrees to register the area, he shall be given a certificate of registration and shall be committed to manage the area according to the terms of the agreement with the department.

(2) The agreement may be terminated by either party after thirty days written notice. The owner, upon termination, shall surrender the certificate. Any first option to purchase the department may have entered into shall remain with the department unless the department shall relinquish the option in writing.

B. Any property acquired by the department or any other agency of the state or political subdivision thereof pursuant to any other authority in law may be registered according to the provisions of this Part.

Acts 1987, No. 324, §1, eff. July 6, 1987.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:763 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 763
Acceptance of other lands and designation as wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, and public hunting grounds; rules and regulations; Rainey Sanctuary; National Audubon Society
Status: in_force

A. The commission may accept from any person, from the state, or from the federal government any lands or waters suitable for wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, and public hunting grounds; may designate and set these apart; and may provide rules and regulations not contrary to law for the conservation of the birds, quadrupeds, and fish found thereon.

B. The commission may make rules and regulations for the protection of the birds, game, and fish on or in the Rainey Sanctuary of the National Audubon Society in Vermilion Parish and on or in the streams and canals forming the boundaries thereof.

Amended by Acts 1970, No. 651, §1; Acts 1981, No. 736, §1; Acts 1981, No. 838, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:723 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 723
Transfer of lands by levee boards and school boards
Status: in_force

Levee boards and school boards owning land in the bed of nonnavigable streams, where the lands are annually overflowed, may sell the lands to any parish establishing a game or fish preserve, for that purpose. The school boards and levee boards may transfer the property by proper deed whenever the sale is made.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1948.11 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1948.11
Creation of the Louisiana Byways Commission; jurisdiction; purpose
Status: in_force

A. The Louisiana Byways Commission is hereby created. The jurisdiction of the commission shall be comprised of all territory within the state of Louisiana.

B. The purpose of the commission is to preserve, enhance, and promote special roads within the Louisiana Byways Program that offer historical, cultural, scenic, natural, archeological, recreation, and economic resources for the state.

Acts 2003, No. 999, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:69.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 69.6
Probation
Status: in_force

A. An auxiliary agent who has satisfied the minimum training standards required in R.S. 56:69.5, shall be commissioned as a junior auxiliary agent and shall serve as such for a probationary period of one year. This probationary period shall provide the junior auxiliary agent with on-the-job training under the supervision and direction of a wildlife agent.

B. During the one-year probationary period, a junior auxiliary agent shall have all the powers prescribed for an auxiliary agent in R.S. 56:69.10 except that he shall perform enforcement duties only when in the company of and under the direct supervision of the wildlife agent to whom he has been assigned.

C. Upon completion of the probationary period, the wildlife agent to whom the junior auxiliary agent has been assigned shall evaluate the auxiliary agent and recommend that the secretary renew or revoke the agent's commission. Nothing herein shall prevent the wildlife agent who has been assigned to supervise the junior auxiliary agent from recommending revocation of a commission at any time during the probationary period.

Acts 1990, No. 498, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1687.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1687.1
Posting of state parks' boundaries; rules and regulations
Status: in_force

The secretary of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism shall promulgate and adopt rules and regulations for the posting of boundaries of state parks, state historic sites, state preservation areas, and other lands under the jurisdiction and control of the office of state parks. Such rules and regulations shall be promulgated and adopted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

Acts 1984, No. 157, §1, eff. June 25, 1984; Acts 1999, No. 709, §3; Acts 2004, No. 388, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:699 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 699
Participation in firearm and hunter education course in addition to penalties for hunting violations
Status: in_force

Whenever any person is convicted of violating any of the provisions of this Chapter governing the hunting or taking of wild birds or wild quadrupeds, other than by trapping, the court may in addition to imposing any fine or penalty provided for by law, order the offender to attend and participate in a firearm and hunter education course taught or approved by the department.

Added by Acts 1978, No. 655, §1. Acts 1984, No. 149, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.

{{NOTE: SEE SECTIONS 3 AND 4 OF ACTS 1984, NO. 149.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:69 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 69
Exemptions from traffic regulations
Status: in_force

A. A Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement agent, while carrying out his official duties, may exercise the privileges set forth in this Section, but subject to the conditions set forth in this Section.

B. With respect to an official department vehicle while being used in an ongoing effort to apprehend persons suspected of violating the laws of this state or federal laws relating to wildlife or fish, an enforcement agent may:

(1) Park irrespective of the provisions of the Louisiana Highway Regulatory Act or other law so long as he does not endanger life or property.

(2) Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down or stopping as may be necessary so that the agent does not endanger life or property.

(3) Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he does not endanger life or property.

(4) Disregard regulations governing the direction of movement or turning in specified directions so long as he does not endanger life or property.

(5) Operate his vehicle at night without any lights or with reduced lights so long as he does not endanger life or property.

C. In all cases where life or property would otherwise be endangered audible and visual signals sufficient to warn motorists shall be used.

D. Nothing contained herein shall relieve an enforcement agent of the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall such provisions protect the enforcement agent from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others.

Acts 1990, No. 363, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:306.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 306.4
Restrictions on buying and selling and transportation by wholesale/retail seafood dealers; retail seafood dealer's license; restaurants and retail grocers
Status: in_force

A.(1) Wholesale/retail seafood dealers shall buy directly from commercial fishermen validly licensed in Louisiana, and when purchasing fish for which a permit is required of the commercial fisherman, such dealers shall purchase only from those commercial fishermen possessing a valid permit. Wholesale/retail seafood dealers validly licensed in Louisiana, and in the case of wholesale/retail seafood dealers purchasing fish from out-of-state sellers and bringing the fish into Louisiana, shall purchase only from those persons from whom a wholesale/retail seafood dealer can legally purchase fish in the state of purchase, and from no one else.

(2) Each wholesale/retail seafood dealer who purchases fish from a licensed commercial fisherman shall record the sale on the three-part receipt form provided for in R.S. 56:303.7. The dealer shall copy the name and license number on the receipt form. The dealer, at the time of the sale, shall provide the commercial fisherman with a sales receipt which shall be one part of the three-part receipt form. All wholesale/retail seafood dealers shall comply with the records requirements contained in R.S. 56:306.5.

B. Wholesale/retail seafood dealers can sell to anyone within or without the state.

C.(1) Retail seafood dealers, restaurants, and retail grocers shall buy directly only from wholesale/retail seafood dealers licensed in Louisiana. When a restaurant or retail grocer purchases fish from an out-of-state seller and brings the fish into the state, he shall buy directly from those persons from whom he can legally purchase fish in the state of purchase. When a retail seafood dealer, restaurant, or retail grocer buys fish from an out-of-state seller and brings the fish into the state, the restaurant or retail grocer shall be licensed in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 56:306 or 306.1 and shall possess a valid transport license when bringing such fish into the state.

(2) Restaurants and retail grocers who only purchase fish, whether fresh, frozen, processed, or unprocessed, from a licensed wholesale/retail seafood dealer and only sell such fish fully prepared by cooking for immediate consumption by the consumer, need not be licensed in compliance with the provisions of this Subpart. Any restaurant or retail grocer who purchases or sells fish in any manner other than as described in this Section must be appropriately licensed as required by this Subpart. All restaurants and retail grocers shall maintain records as required by this Subpart.

D. Repealed by Acts 2010, No. 743, §2(C), eff. July 1, 2010.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1; Acts 1987, No. 779, §1; Acts 1988, No. 955, §1; Acts 1990, No. 441, §1; Acts 1997, No. 376, §1; Acts 1997, No. 866, §1; Acts 2001, No. 28, §1; Acts 2010, No. 743, §2(C), eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 631, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:632.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 632.2
Limitations of law
Status: in_force

The provisions in this Subpart shall not supersede or limit the provisions in R.S. 3:2358.1 et seq., applicable to the regulation of pet turtles; farm raised turtles are excluded regardless of age.

Acts 1992, No. 256, §1, eff. July 1, 1993.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:449 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 449
Tags; distribution; use; containers; penalties
Status: in_force

A. Sacks and any other types of containers used to hold oysters and other mollusks while in their shells shall be identified by official tags. The department shall have exclusive authority over the distribution of these tags. The use of these tags is required of all persons taking oysters or other mollusks from the waters of the state for sale. Tags issued by the department shall be identified with and traceable to the license of the oyster lessee or oyster fisherman. The lessee or oyster fisherman shall write in the appropriate places on the tag all information required by the Louisiana Department of Health, office of public health, and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

B. The department shall establish uniform fees for such tags. The fees shall be sufficient in amount to cover the cost of the tags as well as the administrative costs of distribution. In addition to the established uniform fee, there shall be an additional fee of five cents per tag which shall be deposited into the Oyster Development Fund.

C. All oysters and other molluscan species taken from Louisiana waters for sale which are sacked or otherwise containerized while in the shell and on board a fisherman's vessel shall be tagged prior to removal from the vessel. The tag shall include all information required by the Louisiana Department of Health, office of public health, and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. All oysters and other molluscan species which are to be sacked or otherwise containerized while in the shell at dockside shall be containerized and tagged immediately upon arrival at the dock prior to shipment.

D. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell for resale or to purchase for resale untagged sacks or containers of oysters or other molluscan species.

E. Possession of untagged sacks or containers other than on board the fisherman's vessel or on the dock prior to shipment shall be deemed a violation of this Section. If the amount of untagged sacks or containers possessed is ten percent or less, the violator shall be subject to a class one penalty as described in R.S. 56:31. If the amount of untagged sacks or containers possessed is greater than ten percent, the violator shall be subject to the penalties as specified in Subsection K of this Section. Only untagged or improperly tagged sacks or containers of oysters may be seized in connection with any violation of this Subsection. Any oysters seized in connection with violations of this Subsection shall be disposed of pursuant to the policies and procedures established and promulgated by the department.

F. All persons fishing within the boundaries of the state, but not desiring to land said catch within the jurisdiction of the state, shall tag with prescribed Louisiana tags all sacks or containers prior to leaving the state. All persons fishing shellfish outside the jurisdictional boundaries of the state of Louisiana, but desiring to land within the boundaries of the state, shall have all sacks or containers tagged according to the rules of the state from which fished.

G. Untagged or improperly tagged sacks or containers of oysters or other molluscan species found in commerce within the state, other than on board the fisherman's vessel or on the dock prior to shipment, shall be deemed to have been taken in polluted waters and constitute a hazard to the safety, health, and welfare of the citizens of the state.

H. Authorized agents of the department, state and local health officials, and state and local law enforcement officials shall be authorized to enforce the provisions of this Section, and shall have the authority, additionally, to seize all untagged sacks or containers found in connection with any arrests hereunder and to dispose thereof in accordance with law.

I. It shall be a violation of this Section for any manufacturer, distributor, dealer, supplier, or wholesaler to sell or distribute shucked oyster containers to any person or persons, corporation, business, or firm that has not been certified by the Seafood Sanitation Unit of the Office of Public Health, Louisiana Department of Health. The packer, distributor, or purchaser shall not resell the shucked oyster container. It shall be a violation of this Section if any nonresident purchaser of new and unused shucked oyster containers does not have in his possession a valid certificate from an appropriate state agency that regulates the seafood industry.

J. The department shall require that all persons who containerize shucked oysters or other molluscan species keep accurate records of the source of the oysters in order that said oysters can be traced back to the identifying tag and shall require, further, that such containers be labelled as a source of identification in a manner to be prescribed by the secretary.

K. A violation of this Section shall constitute a class III violation and any oyster seized in connection with this violation shall be disposed of pursuant to the policies and procedures established by the department.

Acts 1981, No. 925, §1; Acts 1986; No. 522, §1; Acts 1986, No. 523, §1; Acts 1992, No. 268, §1; Acts 1993, No. 179, §1; Acts 1995, No. 448, §1; Acts 1999, No. 622, §1; Acts 2004, No. 213, §3; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:3001 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 3001
Recreational fishing licenses; fees
Status: in_force

A. Resident licenses:

(1) Hook and line license $5.00/year

(allows using a pole, hook and line, without a reel and without using artificial bait, dip nets, landing nets, minnow traps, crab nets, or crab lines)

(2) Basic fishing license $17.00/year

(includes all legal recreational freshwater gear)

(3) Saltwater fishing license $15.00/year

(includes all legal recreational saltwater gear)

(4) Charter three-day saltwater fishing license $12.50

(5) Charter three-day freshwater fishing license $2.50

(6) Charter promotion fee $7.50

B. Nonresident licenses:

(1) Basic fishing license $68.00/year

(includes all legal recreational freshwater gear)

(2) Saltwater fishing license $60.00/year

(includes all legal recreational saltwater gear)

(3) Five-day basic fishing $30.00

(includes all legal freshwater recreational gear)

(4) Five-day saltwater fishing $30.00

(includes all legal saltwater recreational gear)

(5) Charter boat three-day saltwater fishing license $12.50

(6) Charter boat three-day freshwater fishing license $2.50

(7) Charter promotion fee $7.50

Acts 2021, No. 356, §3, eff. June 1, 2022; Acts 2022, No. 229, §1, eff. June 1, 2022; Acts 2024, No. 153, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:69.11 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 69.11
Compensation
Status: in_force

No person commissioned under the provisions of this Subpart shall receive any compensation for time or expenses incurred while in training or while in the performance of his duties as an auxiliary agent. The department may provide each auxiliary agent with a uniform and pay tuition costs to attend a training program required by R.S. 56:69.5(C).

Acts 1990, No. 498, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:301.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 301.5
Commission rules and regulations
Status: in_force

The commission may promulgate rules and regulations concerning any aspect of licensing not specifically provided for in this Part.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:251 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 251
Licenses; possession limit for nonresident alligator hunter; deposit as guarantee of payment of severance tax; penalties
Status: in_force

A. The following license fees shall be levied on each fur trapper, alligator hunter, fur buyer, and fur dealer:

(1) Every resident fur trapper, eighteen years of age or older, before commencing the business of trapping furbearing animals, shall secure annually from the department a trapper's license, which shall be furnished upon the payment of forty dollars. Every resident fur trapper under the age of eighteen years, before commencing the business of trapping furbearing animals, shall secure annually from the department a recreational youth hunting license. Every nonresident fur trapper, before commencing the business of trapping furbearing animals, shall secure annually from the department a nonresident trapper's license, which shall be furnished upon the payment of one hundred sixty dollars. Every resident and nonresident fur trapper must at all times have this license in possession while trapping or selling pelts or animals. The secretary of the department is hereby authorized to enter into reciprocal agreements with any state with respect to nonresident license fees for the trapping of furbearing animals.

(2)(a)(i) Every resident alligator hunter shall before commencing business procure annually from the department a resident alligator hunting license, which shall be furnished upon payment of twenty-five dollars, and the filing of an application approved by the department. Every nonresident alligator hunter shall before commencing business procure annually from the department a nonresident alligator hunter license, which shall be furnished upon the payment of one hundred fifty dollars, and the filing of an application approved by the department. Every resident and nonresident alligator hunter must at all times have this license in possession while hunting or taking alligators.

(ii) Repealed by Acts 2019, No. 305, §2.

(iii) All regulations and licensing procedures pertaining to the taking, possessing, and shipping of all alligators, raw alligator skins, and alligator parts shall be established by the department.

(b) Repealed by Acts 1999, No. 73, §1.

(3) Every resident fur buyer shall, before commencing business, procure annually from the department a resident fur buyer's license, which shall be furnished upon the payment of fifty-five dollars and the filing of an application approved by the department.

(4) Every nonresident fur buyer shall before commencing business procure annually from the department a nonresident fur buyer's license, which shall be furnished upon the payment of two hundred fifteen dollars, and the filing of an application approved by the department. Every resident and nonresident fur buyer must at all times have this license in possession while operating his business.

(5) Every resident fur dealer shall, before commencing business, procure annually from the department a resident fur dealer's license, which shall be furnished upon the payment of four hundred dollars and the filing of an application approved by the department.

(6) Every nonresident fur dealer shall before commencing business procure annually from the department a nonresident fur dealer's license, which shall be furnished upon the payment of eight hundred dollars and the filing of an application approved by the department. Every resident and nonresident dealer must at all times have this license in possession or prominently displayed while operating his business.

B. Violation of this Section constitutes a class three violation.

Acts 1970, No. 550, §1. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 599, §1; Acts 1977, No. 558, §2; Acts 1979, No. 305, §1; Acts 1980, No. 590, §1; Acts 1981, No. 736, §1; Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 1981, No. 838, §1; Acts 1986, No. 455, §1, eff. July 2, 1986; Acts 1992, No. 499, §1, eff. June 22, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992; Acts 1995, No. 213, §1; Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 164, §2, eff. Sept. 21, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 73, §1; Acts 2019, No. 305, §§1, 2; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.

NOTE: SEE ACTS 1998, 1ST EX. SESS., NO. 164, §4, RE: EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF ACT. LETTER DATED SEPT. 21, 1998, WAS SENT TO DEPT. OF WILDLIFE & FISHERIES FROM COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION STATING THAT FUNDS WERE APPROPRIATED FROM THE LA. TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION FUND TO IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:333.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 333.3
Live mullet; harvest for bait
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 56:333 and 333.1, live mullet may be taken commercially in both freshwater and saltwater areas for the exclusive purpose of providing live bait. Mullet may be harvested for such purposes only by cast net. The commission shall adopt rules to regulate such taking and sale of live mullet for bait. Such regulations may provide for permits, licenses, seasons, live possession requirements, harvest limits, and other provisions necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.

B. In order to commercially harvest live mullet for bait under the provisions of this Section, a fisherman shall hold a commercial fishing license and a commercial cast net gear license. Cast nets used under the provisions of this Section shall not exceed twelve feet in radius and shall only be operated manually such that no mechanical device is used to hold open the net nor propel or deploy the net.

C. There shall be no commercial taking of live mullet for bait during the period from 5:00 a.m. on Saturday through 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, and there shall be no fishing pursuant to the provisions of this Section during the hours after sunset and before sunrise.

D. Any violation of the provisions of this Section shall be punishable as a class three violation under the provisions of R.S. 56:33.

Acts 2011, No. 65, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:444 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 444
License number display
Status: in_force

The name, license number, state boat registration number, or federal documentation number of each vessel, boat, or dredging apparatus engaged in the harvesting of oysters shall be displayed on the roof of the cabin or on any other place which is easily visible from the air, at all times. The letters shall be at least eight inches in height and of an appropriate width.

Acts 1981, No. 925, §1. Acts 1986, No. 904, §3.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:632.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 632.9
Transporter; license required; license fee; prohibitions; number of licenses; transferability; records; common carriers
Status: in_force

A. Operators and drivers of any form of commercial transport, except common carriers, who are in the act of loading, unloading, or transporting reptiles or amphibians shall have in their possession at least one of the following licenses:

(1) A reptile and amphibian collector's license.

(2) A reptile and amphibian wholesale/retail dealer's license.

(3) A reptile and amphibian transport license.

B.(1) The cost of a reptile and amphibian transport license is sixty-five dollars per vehicle for a resident and two hundred fifty dollars per vehicle for a nonresident and can be purchased only by a person holding a valid Louisiana reptile and amphibian collector's license or valid Louisiana reptile and amphibian wholesale/retail dealer's license.

(2) The reptile and amphibian transport license shall be in the name of and bear the license number of the purchaser and shall state "Reptile and Amphibian Transport License".

(3) The reptile and amphibian transport license may be applied for in the same manner and is valid for the same one-year period as that of the purchaser's license.

C.(1) A person transporting reptiles or amphibians under privilege of a transport license is prohibited from buying or selling, by any means whatsoever, any species of reptile or amphibian.

(2) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to a person transporting reptiles or amphibians under the privilege of a Louisiana reptile and amphibian transport license purchased in connection with a Louisiana reptile and amphibian wholesale/retail dealer's license when that person buys reptiles or amphibians for or on behalf of the reptile and amphibian wholesale/retail dealer to whom such transport license was issued and only transports such reptiles or amphibians to that reptile and amphibian wholesale/retail dealer.

D. A validly licensed reptile and amphibian collector or reptile and amphibian wholesale/retail dealer may purchase any number of reptile and amphibian transport licenses.

E. Transport licenses are freely transferable between vehicles, but the reptile and amphibian licensee remains responsible for all activities taking place under authority of that license.

F. Common carriers are exempted from the license provisions of this Section, but are required to comply with other provisions of this Section.

G. Shipments containing reptiles or amphibians shall be plainly marked and the tags or certificates shall show the names of the consignor and the consignee, with an itemized statement of each kind contained therein. Bills of lading issued by a common carrier for such shipments shall state the number of packages that contain reptiles or amphibians. Shipments of reptiles or amphibians of any species ordinarily used for human consumption made to points outside the state, other than by common carrier, shall be registered by the owner or his agent at some port of exit established by the commission and shall be inspected.

H. Information, data, and statistics obtained by the department pursuant to this Section shall be used for the equitable and efficient administration and enforcement of the laws pertaining to the reptile or amphibian resources of the state and for conservation and management purposes.

I. The department shall draft regulations prescribing procedures to preserve the confidentiality of all reptile or amphibian dependent data, information or statistics submitted or collected pursuant to the provisions of this Subpart, for approval by the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and promulgation in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

J. Violation of any provision of this Section constitutes a class two violation.

Acts 1995, No. 604, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:2034 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 2034
Permitting of artificial reefs
Status: in_force

The commission is empowered to serve as permittee for artificial reefs and waters covered under this Chapter, provided such reefs are consistent with and established within the guidelines of this Chapter, state law, including, but not limited to, the Louisiana Fishing Enhancement Act, and the National Fishing Enhancement Act.

Acts 1991, No. 179, §1, eff. July 2, 1991.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:19 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 19
Exchange of fish hatched at fish hatcheries for fish roe or fish eggs
Status: in_force

The director may purchase fish roe or fish eggs and give in exchange or in consideration therefor a percent of the young fish hatched or produced at any of the state fish hatcheries. The placing of such young fish in waters on the land of such persons shall not be deemed a stocking of such waters with fish by the state.

Amended by Acts 1974, No. 717, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:67 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 67
Enforcement of civil judgment
Status: in_force

Judgments recovered on civil demands may be enforced according to law. No license for any purpose whatsoever shall be issued to the defendant by the commission or by any commission or office required to enforce the laws protecting natural resources, until such judgment is satisfied.

Acts 1985, No. 876, §3, eff. July 23, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:265 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 265
Trespass on marshlands to trap or hunt fur bearing animals
Status: in_force

No person shall go upon marsh or low prairie lands, or swamplands belonging to another, without the consent of the owner or of one authorized to grant consent; and there capture, catch, trap, take, shoot, or ensnare any alligator, mink, muskrat, nutria, otter or raccoon; nor attempt to commit, or be upon such lands for the purpose of committing, any such act; nor aid, assist, or abet another to commit or to attempt to commit any such act; nor conspire with another for any of such purposes. Violation of this Section is a class two violation.

Amended by Acts 1974, No. 141, §1; Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 1990, No. 194, §1, eff. July 2, 1990.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:77 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 77
Action taken by commission; requirements
Status: in_force

No action shall be taken by the commission in regard to its general affairs except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the whole number of compacting states. No recommendation shall be made by the commission in regard to any species of fish except by the affirmative vote of a majority of the compacting states which have an interest in such species. The commission shall define what shall be an interest.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:437 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 437
Sale of oysters for raw consumption within the state
Status: in_force

Oysters which have been harvested from Louisiana waters may be sold for raw consumption within the state at all times during the year provided however, that during the time period from May first through October thirty-first each year, movement of such oysters from harvest to refrigeration shall take no more than five hours. Federal regulations which may prohibit the interstate transportation and sale of oysters which have not been post-harvest treated shall not apply to oysters harvested, sold, and consumed within the state of Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health shall promulgate rules pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act to administer the provisions of this Section and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shall assist in the enforcement of such rules. Such rules shall allow up to five hours for the oysters to be transferred from harvest to refrigeration as provided in this Section.

Acts 2010, No. 269, §1; Acts 2011, No. 1, §1, eff. May 20, 2011.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:632.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 632.1
Definitions; applicability
Status: in_force

For purposes of this Subpart, the following words and phrases have the meaning ascribed to them in this Section, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(1) "Amphibian" means any vertebrate in the class Amphibia, including but not limited to frogs, toads, and salamanders.

(2) "Native reptiles and amphibians" means any species or subspecies of reptile or amphibian indigenous to the state of Louisiana or any alien species or subspecies of reptile or amphibian that has been introduced and established in Louisiana.

(3) "Reptile" means any vertebrate in the class Reptilia, except the alligator, including but not limited to turtles, lizards, and snakes.

Acts 1992, No. 256, §1, eff. July 1, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 604, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:304.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 304.2
Operation by person not holding a commercial fisherman's license
Status: in_force

A. It is unlawful for the owner of a commercial fishing vessel licensed under this Subpart to permit any person not holding a valid, original commercial fisherman's license to operate such licensed vessel while the vessel is engaged in commercial fishing or while the vessel is possessing fish for sale in the waters of the state.

B. A vessel engaged in commercial fishing and operated by a person not possessing a valid, original commercial fisherman's license subjects the vessel owner to revocation of the vessel license and seizure of the vessel and all fish and equipment thereon.

C. Violation of any of the provisions in this Section constitutes a class 2-B violation.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1; Acts 2021, No. 241, §1.

NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:2028 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 2028
Dedication of funds
Status: in_force

All funds received by the district shall be dedicated to accomplish the purposes of this Chapter.

Acts 1991, No. 179, §1, eff. July 2, 1991.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:655 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 655
Regulation of operations
Status: in_force

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission shall have the authority to regulate the operations of hunting preserves licensed hereunder, and to set seasons, bag limits, and any other rules and regulations on the operation of said hunting preserves as are deemed necessary for the best interest of the public.

Added by Acts 1958, No. 455, §5. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 682, §1; Acts 1988, No. 846, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:435 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 435
Scrapers; use in removing oysters
Status: in_force

A. All scrapers used to harvest oysters from the public seed grounds and the natural reefs shall be no longer than fifty-four inches in width measured along the tooth bar. No scraper shall weigh more than one hundred seventy-five pounds nor shall diving boards, hydrofoils, or any other apparatus or attachment intended to create downward pressure be attached to any scraper.

B. For scrapers used to harvest oysters from the public seed grounds and the natural reefs, the scraper teeth shall be no longer than five inches in length and there shall be a minimum of two and one-quarter inch spacing measured from the center of a tooth to center of the adjacent tooth. A tooth shall not exceed eleven-sixteenths of an inch in diameter. In addition, there shall be no more than two scrapers in use on any one vessel. An oyster scraper bag shall only be single mesh with a minimum mesh size of three inches stretched.

C. The lessees of propagating or bedding grounds may use on such propagating or bedding grounds any implements or appliances they may desire. However, no implements or appliances shall be used in any manner which will impair or destroy any water bottoms. The department may require lessees to procure from it permits to use such implements and appliances, such permits to be issued without charge, and to be conditioned that such implements or appliances shall not be used on natural oyster reefs in the state, and on those grounds not leased.

D. A violation of the provisions of this Section shall constitute a class two violation.

E. Repealed by Acts 1984, No. 402 §2.

Acts 1981, No. 836, §1; Acts 1981, No. 925, §1. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 467, §1; Acts 1982, No. 626, §1. Acts 1984, No. 230, §1, eff. June 29, 1984. Acts 1984, No. 402, §2; Acts 1986, No. 904, §4; Acts 1990, No. 583, §1; Acts 1991, No. 496, §1; Acts 2016, No. 133, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:40.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 40.7
Recovery of value in addition to fine
Status: in_force

A. The penalties and costs provided by this Subpart are in addition to any fine, forfeiture, other penalty, or costs imposed under any other provision of law.

B. Failure to pay all amounts assessed in accordance with this Subpart shall result in the immediate revocation of all hunting and fishing licenses held by the offender or, in the case of a commercial violation, the immediate revocation of all commercial licenses held by the offender. Revocation of the offender's licenses and privileges as authorized in this Title shall continue, and no new licenses shall be issued to replace those that were revoked for as long as any amount remains unpaid.

C. If the offender purchases or obtains a license of the type that was revoked or engages in any activity which would otherwise require him to obtain a license of the type that was revoked during the period of revocation provided for in Subsection B of this Section, it shall be a class three violation.

D. The provisions of Subsections B and C of this Section shall not apply to any person who has timely filed an appeal of a final ruling or judgment during the pendency of the appeal.

Acts 1988, No. 169, §2; Acts 1992, No. 852, §1; Acts 2001, No. 804, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1922 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1922
Acquisition of land
Status: in_force

A. The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries may acquire land by purchase, exchange, gift or otherwise for additions to the state's portfolio of natural lands, state parks, state forests and wildlife and fishery management areas or because such areas exhibit other important features of the natural landscape that are of interest to the state. In determining whether sites shall be acquired, the secretary shall consider whether the site is:

(1) Identified as having high priority recreation, forestry, fishery, wildlife or conservation value.

(2) A prime natural feature of the Louisiana landscape, such as a major river, stream, or bayou, its tributaries and watershed, an island or coastal wetland, a significant littoral, estuarine, or aquatic site or any other important geologic feature.

(3) A habitat for native plant or animal species which may be threatened or endangered.

(4) An example of a native ecological community.

(5) Environmentally significant and is threatened with conversion to incompatible or ecologically irreversible uses.

(6) Adjacent to a natural and scenic river, stream, or bayou.

B. Prior to its acquisition each site shall be evaluated by the department to determine if threatened or endangered species inhabit or use the site or to determine if the site is of special ecological quality or has other outstanding natural values as a community of living things.

Acts 1988, No. 492, §1, eff. July 9, 1988.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:632 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 632
Powers and duties
Status: in_force

A. The secretary shall have the authority to prohibit the commercial harvest or importation of any species of reptile or amphibian, provided that such a decision is based on accurate biological data or other technical information that indicated such species would interfere with the state's natural ecosystem.

B. The commission shall have the authority to set seasons, establish harvest restrictions, and adopt other rules and regulations that it deems necessary to manage Louisiana's reptile and amphibian resources.

Acts 1992, No. 256, §1, eff. July 1, 1993; Acts 2010, No. 855, §1; Acts 2013, No. 184, §14(A).
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:558 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 558
Enforcement of penalties by civil proceedings
Status: in_force

All penalties provided in this Sub-part shall be enforced against corporations by civil proceedings instituted by the proper enforcement officers of this state.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:303.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 303.5
Presumptions relative to fish caught by person possessing a commercial fishing license
Status: in_force

A. As a condition of the application for the granting of a commercial fisherman's license, all saltwater fish caught or transported by a vessel the operator of which is in possession of a valid Louisiana commercial fishermen's license shall be deemed to have been taken in the waters of Louisiana, and nothing to the contrary shall be claimed.

B. As a condition of possessing a commercial fisherman's license on a fishing trip on board a vessel taking, transporting, or possessing finfish for commercial purposes or in a quantity in excess of a recreational limit, all finfish on board shall be deemed to have been taken for commercial purposes. All finfish on board the vessel are subject to all applicable seasons, limits, regulations, restrictions, and size requirements.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1; Acts 2004, No. 96, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:2012 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 2012
Violations and penalties; injunctive relief
Status: in_force

A. Violation of any of the provisions of this Chapter, or rules and regulations adopted by the commission pursuant to this Chapter, shall constitute a class three violation with penalties as provided in R.S. 56:33, except that failure to possess a Class C license shall constitute a class one violation with penalties as provided in R.S. 56:31.

B.(1) In addition to the penalties provided in Subsection A of this Section, the commission may assess either or both of the following:

(a) A civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each violation of the provisions of this Chapter or of the rules and regulations adopted by the commission pursuant to this Chapter. Each day on which a violation occurs shall be considered a separate offense.

(b) Damages in an amount not to exceed the estimated fair market value of the fill sand or fill material dredged in violation of this Chapter or the rules and regulations of the commission adopted pursuant to this Chapter.

(2) Penalties and damages may be assessed only by a resolution of the commission after notice to the licensee.

(3) Decisions of the commission may be appealed through an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:950 et seq.

C. The secretary may institute civil proceedings enforcing the rulings of the commission or seeking injunctive relief to restrain and prevent the violation of the provisions of this Chapter, or of the rules and regulations adopted by the commission pursuant to this Chapter, in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court.

Acts 1986, No. 845, §1; Acts 2007, No. 454, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:3006 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 3006
Violations
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this Title, hunting, fishing, or accessing WMAs without the license required by this Part shall constitute a Class II violation punishable under the provisions of R.S. 56:32.

Acts 2021, No. 356, §3, eff. June 1, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:639.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 639.7
Preparation of the Louisiana Artificial Reef Development Plan
Status: in_force

A. The Louisiana Artificial Reef Initiative is directed to complete its work on the Louisiana Artificial Reef Development Plan, hereinafter called the "plan", within one year of the effective date of this Subpart.

B. The initiative shall present the plan to the council for approval. Upon unanimous approval by the council, and after review by the department, the plan shall be presented by October 1, 1987, to the House and Senate Natural Resources Committees for their approval.

C. All artificial reefs developed in state waters shall be consistent with the approved plan. State agency comments and recommendations on artificial reefs in federal waters shall also be consistent with the approved plan.

D. The plan shall include:

(1) Operational guidelines for the program, including specific participant roles and projected funding requirements for program elements.

(2) Geographic, hydrographic, geological, biological, ecological, social, economic, and other criteria for permitting and siting artificial reefs.

(3) Design, material, and other criteria for establishing, constructing, and maintaining artificial reefs.

(4) Mechanisms and methodologies for monitoring artificial reefs in compliance with the requirements of permits issued under Section 205 of the National Fishing Act.

(5) Mechanisms and methodologies for managing the use of artificial reefs.

(6) An exclusionary map which depicts priority areas for artificial reef development consistent with this Subpart and the National Fishing Enhancement Act.

(7) Provisions for updating the plan based on findings of the Artificial Reef Development Program.

(8) Provisions for managing the Reef Fund in a manner which will assure successful program implementation.

Acts 1986, No. 100, §1, eff. June 23, 1986.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:649 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 649
Purpose
Status: in_force

The legislature recognizes the inestimable importance to this state and its citizens of conserving the wildlife resources of Louisiana, as well as developing and maintaining public hunting and fishing areas within the state. The legislature further recognizes the desires of many citizens to make a lifetime contribution to preserve our rich legacy of wildlife resources for future generations and to develop and maintain public hunting and fishing areas in this state. In furtherance of these purposes, the legislature herein establishes the Lifetime License Endowment Program, and herein creates the Lifetime License Endowment Trust Fund, and the lifetime hunting and fishing licenses and the combination lifetime hunting and fishing licenses as provided in this Part.

Acts 1991, No. 184, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 859, §1, eff. July 1, 1992.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:751 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 751
Dedication of state lands withdrawn from entry
Status: in_force

All of the vacant and unappropriated public lands belonging to the state on December 9, 1921 or thereafter acquired by accretion or otherwise, and more particularly described as follows, are withheld and withdrawn from entry or sale and perpetually dedicated as a game preserve and public hunting ground:

All swamps and marsh lands in township 22 South, range 20 East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, East of the Mississippi River, excepting the following lands: S.E. 1/4 of S.E. 1/4 of section 11; N. 1/2 of S.E. 1/4 of section 12; S. 1/2 of N.W. 1/4, N.E. 1/4 of S.W. 1/4, N.W. 1/4 of S.E. 1/4 of section 15; S.E. 1/4 of S.E. 1/4 of section 15; and sections 22, 25, and 26.

All swamps and marsh lands in township 22 South, range 21 East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, East of the Mississippi River, excepting the following lands: S.E. 1/4 of S.W. 1/4, S.W. 1/4 of S.W. 1/4 of section 4; N.E. Frac. 1/4, N.W. 1/4 of S.W. 1/4 S. 1/2 of N.W. 1/4 of section 7; N. Frac. 1/2 of N.W. 1/4, N.W. 1/4 of N.E. 1/4 of section 8.

All swamps and marsh lands in township 22 South, range 22 East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, East of the Mississippi River.

All swamps and marsh lands in township 23 South, range 21 East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, East of the Mississippi River.

All swamps and marsh lands in township 22 South, range 32 East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, West of the Mississippi River, excepting the following lands: All of sections or lots 9 or lots 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44; and all of fractional sections in rear of lots 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34.

All swamps and marsh lands in township 22 South, range 33 East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, West of the Mississippi River, excepting the following lands: All of sections or lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

All of swamps and marsh lands in township 23 South, range 32 East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, West of the Mississippi River, excepting the following lands: Sections or lots 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 and 91.

All swamps and marsh lands in township 23 South, range 33 East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, West of the Mississippi River, excepting the following lands: Section 1; sections 2; sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15; section 17; section 18; section 19.

All swamps and marsh lands in township 23 South, range 34 East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, west of the Mississippi River.

All swamps and marsh lands in township 24 South, range 32 East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, West of the Mississippi River, excepting the following lands: All of sections or lots 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, and 77.

All swamps and marsh lands in township 24 South, range 33 East, Southeastern District of Louisiana, West of the Mississippi River, excepting the following lands: Sections or lots 9 and 10.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:315.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 315.1
Fish ladders
Status: in_force

The commission from any available funds, or concurrently with any duly authorized parish game and fish commission, may construct or place fish ladders in all lakes within the state subject to the approval of the Department of Public Works, where dam construction has caused a need therefor in order that propagating places may be reached by the fish. These lakes shall include but shall not be limited to the following: Caddo Lake.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 579, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:494 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 494
Louisiana Shrimp Task Force
Status: in_force

A. There is hereby established the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force to study and monitor the shrimp industry and to make recommendations to the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and other state agencies for the maximization of benefit from that industry for the state of Louisiana and its citizens.

B. The task force shall be composed as follows:

(1) The governor or the governor's designee.

(2) Three members appointed by the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries: one of whom shall be a marine biologist, one of whom shall be an enforcement agent, and one of whom shall be an economist.

(3) The commissioner of agriculture and forestry or the commissioner's designee.

(4) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or the secretary's designee.

(5) Three members and three alternate members appointed by the governor each of whom shall possess a commercial fisherman's license with a "certified" endorsement pursuant to R.S. 56:303(E), with four to be selected from a list of six nominees submitted by the Louisiana Shrimp Association and two to be selected from a list of six nominees submitted by the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

(6) One member appointed by the governor who is an active Louisiana dock buyer of shrimp.

(7) Three members and three alternate members appointed by the governor who are active Louisiana shrimp processors, at least one of whom is selected from a list of three nominees submitted by the American Shrimp Processors Association.

C. The members appointed under the provisions of Paragraphs (B)(l) through (4) of this Section shall be nonvoting members. In addition, they shall not be considered members of the task force for determination of the number of members necessary for a quorum and for establishing the presence of a quorum.

D. The task force shall adopt bylaws under which it shall operate, and four voting members of the task force shall constitute a quorum sufficient to conduct meetings and business of the task force. The governor shall appoint the chairman of the task force for a period of one year and thereafter, the task force shall elect a chairman from its membership and may seek and receive assistance from universities within the state in the development of methods to increase production and marketability of shrimp. The members of the task force shall serve without compensation; however, the task force may receive the same reimbursement of travel expenses for attending the meetings as is allowed for other state employees' travel.

E. The task force is hereby charged with responsibility to do the following:

(1) Coordinate efforts to increase shrimp production and marketability.

(2) Provide for the study of the decline in shrimp marketability and market price, provide for the study of the impacts of imported shrimp on the domestic market, assist in the development of a state shrimp inspection program, assist in the development of a Louisiana shrimp certification and branding program, and make recommendations to the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Department of Conservation and Energy, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the Louisiana Department of Health for implementation of policies to help enhance the domestic shrimp industry.

(3) Make recommendations with respect to issues pertaining to the shrimp industry and shrimp production to the various state agencies charged with responsibility for differing elements of the shrimp industry in this state, including the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Department of Conservation and Energy, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, the Louisiana Department of Health, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, and the legislature.

(4) Develop markets and marketing strategies for the development and expansion of markets for shrimp harvested from Louisiana waters.

(5) Administer the funds in the Shrimp Marketing and Promotion Fund, which fund shall be used to create new markets for shrimp and promote the sale of shrimp harvested from Louisiana waters.

(6) Represent the interests of the Louisiana shrimp industry before federal and state administrative and legislative bodies on issues of importance to the Louisiana shrimp industry.

(7) Contract for legal services to represent the interests of the Louisiana shrimp industry in judicial, administrative, and legislative proceedings.

(8) Perform any acts deemed necessary and proper to carry out its duties and responsibilities.

F. The activities of the Shrimp Task Force shall be funded through the Shrimp Marketing and Promotion Fund (R.S. 56:10(B)(1)(b)(i)).

Acts 2010, No. 606, §2; Acts 2013, No. 228, §2, eff. July 1, 2013; Acts 2016, No. 430, §7; Acts 2018, No. 612, §18, eff. July 1, 2020; Acts 2019, No. 404, §1, eff. July 1, 2020; Acts 2023, No. 150, §22, eff. Jan. 10, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:6.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 6.1
Emergency closure of hunting or fishing seasons; rules and regulations; prohibitions; penalties
Status: in_force

A. The secretary, in an emergency, may close an area to the hunting or taking of wildlife or may restrict the hunting or taking of wildlife in a designated area in any manner deemed advisable. In addition, in an emergency, the secretary may declare a closed season on any or all species of fish found or existing in the waters of the state or may restrict fishing in the closed season in any manner deemed advisable. Such closure shall be for a period of time not to extend beyond the seventh day following the next meeting of the commission.

B. Any such closure shall be made by an order issued by the secretary in the same manner as the issuance of an emergency rule as provided in R.S. 49:962. The closure order authorized in this Section shall include a description of the area subject to the closure, indication of the species of fish or wildlife covered by such order, and the reasons for the closure. In addition, the order may include restrictions on hunting or fishing times, bag or creel limits, and harvest restrictions and may alter season opening and closing dates. Upon the issuance of any such order, the possession, sale, barter, trade, or exchange of, or the attempt to possess, sell, barter, trade, or exchange, any species of fish or wildlife contrary to the provisions of the order is prohibited.

C. Violation of any closure order authorized by this Section constitutes a class 2-B violation.

Acts 1986, No. 434, §1; Acts 1992, No. 966, §1; Acts 2006, No. 399, §1, eff. June 15, 2006; Acts 2021, No. 211, §12; Acts 2021, No. 241, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:791 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 791
Protection of wild birds or animals; penalty for violation of Subpart
Status: in_force

A. Except as provided in R.S. 56:792, no person shall, except in accordance with commission rules and regulations, kill, snare, or pursue with intent to take or kill by any means, or have in possession any wild animal or bird from or upon any school land or school section located within, contiguous to, or adjoining the boundaries of any wildlife refuge, wildlife management area, or public hunting ground, public or private, established or designated as such by the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries by and with the consent of the parish school board or under its authority.

B. The killing, snaring, taking, or having in possession, or pursuing with intent to do so, of each wild animal or bird on any such land or section constitutes a separate offense.

C. Whoever violates any provision of this Subpart shall be fined not less than five dollars nor more than one hundred dollars, with costs of suit, for each offense.

D. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to Vermilion Parish except that it shall be unlawful in Vermilion Parish for any person to use firearms in the trapping and taking of fur bearing animals. The rental or leasing of any public lands owned by the Vermilion Parish School Board for any purpose described herein shall be in accordance with advertisement and bidding laws.

E. Violation of any provision of this Subpart shall constitute a class two violation.

Amended by Acts 1977, No. 449, §1; Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 1981, No. 838, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:326.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 326.1
Size limits set by commission
Status: in_force

The commission shall have the authority to set, by rule in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, size limits for all freshwater and saltwater fish for which no limits have been set by law.

Acts 1986, No. 492, §1; Acts 2008, No. 23, §1, eff. July 1, 2008.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:436 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 436
Restricted time of taking oysters
Status: in_force

A. The taking of oysters from the natural reefs of this state and from privately owned bedding grounds between the hours of one-half hour after sunset and until one-half hour before sunrise is prohibited. During these hours all scrapers shall be unshackled, disconnected, or in such condition as to be easily determined by an agent of the department not to have been in recent use.

B. Violation of any provision of this Section constitutes a class four violation.

Acts 1981, No. 925, §1; Acts 1987, No. 456, §1; Acts 1990, No. 873, §1; Acts 2016, No. 133, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:153 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 153
Design, marketing, and sale of duck stamps and prints
Status: in_force

The department shall provide by regulation for the annual creation of duck stamps and duck stamp prints, the manner of selection of an artist and the manner of reproduction, distribution, marketing and sale of such stamps and prints. Purchase of such stamps and prints shall not authorize the purchaser to hunt, take, possess, or transport ducks in the state of Louisiana. The secretary is hereby authorized to sell such stamps and prints by the method he deems to be most beneficial to the department, including public or private auction or direct sale to an individual, group, or organization. The department shall retain exclusive ownership and production rights to the design for reproduction of duck stamps and prints to sell to hunters, collectors, and other interested persons. Upon completion of this process, the original artwork shall be returned to the artist.

Acts 1988, No. 632, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1988, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 12, §1, eff. Oct. 27, 1988; Acts 1992, No. 858, §1; Acts 2001, No. 270, §1; Acts 2010, No. 100, §1; Acts 2025, No. 71, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:652 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 652
Rights under license
Status: in_force

Any license issued hereunder shall permit the licensee to propagate, possess, and release for shooting or taking on the preserve covered by such license any pen-raised quail and pen-raised mallard and in addition thereto, import, propagate, possess, and release for shooting or taking on the preserve covered by such license any foreign game bird not a native of the state of Louisiana, if approved by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.

Added by Acts 1958, No. 455, §2; Acts 1988, No. 87, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:56 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 56
Seizure or surrender of things illegally used or possessed
Status: in_force

A. Any enforcing officer may seize:

(1) Any animal or parts thereof, possessed, transported, sold, offered for sale, or purchased contrary to the provisions of this Title.

(2) Deer, bears, or wild turkey or parts thereof in the possession of any person which is not tagged or identified as required by this Title.

(3) Fish and other aquatic life, taken, possessed, transported, sold, offered for sale, or purchased contrary to the provisions of this Title.

(4) Traps, nets, cages, snares, explosives, guns and other devices placed, set, or otherwise used or possessed for the purpose of taking wild birds or quadrupeds contrary to the provisions of this Title.

(5) Tackle, seines and other nets, trawls, tongs, scrapers, and other equipment and devices used in taking of fish, shrimp, oysters, or other aquatic life contrary to the provisions of this Title.

(6) Oysters, shrimp, and hides and pelts of fur bearing animals and nongame quadrupeds which are subject to a tax imposed by this Title and on which the tax has not been paid or which are taken contrary to the provisions of this Title.

(7) Tackle and scrapers which are possessed or operated in an illegal manner or which are required by the provisions of this Title to be licensed or tagged and which are not so licensed or tagged or which are improperly tagged or which are taken contrary to the provisions of this Title.

(8) Tackle of any type or description, including without limitation such gear listed in R.S. 56:302, 302.5, or 305, which is used by a fisherman to take shrimp, oysters, fish, or other seafood for sale without possessing a commercial fisherman's license.

B. Any live animal which is illegal to possess or which may be possessed only by permit or license from the department may be voluntarily surrendered to the department without penalty. The person surrendering the animal shall be immune from prosecution for illegally possessing or possessing without a permit or license provided the surrendering of the animal is initiated prior to any independent investigation or contact by any public employee operating in their official capacity. The department may dispose of a surrendered animal in any manner the department deems appropriate.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §1. Acts 1985, No. 876, §3, eff. July 23, 1985; Acts 1991, No. 888, §1, eff. July 23, 1991; Acts 2010, No. 157, §1; Acts 2016, No. 133, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:40.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 40.2
Value of fish, wild birds, wild quadrupeds, and other wildlife and aquatic life
Status: in_force

For purposes of this Subpart, the commission shall adopt rules to establish guidelines for determining the value of injured or destroyed fish, wild birds, wild quadrupeds, and other wildlife and aquatic life and shall determine values for same based upon recommendations of department staff and other relevant factors.

Acts 1988, No. 169, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:424.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 424.1
Illegal taking of oysters; penalties
Status: in_force

A. In addition to the penalties contained in R.S. 56:424, 431, 433, or 433.1, for any person convicted of a first offense for any violation of the provisions of R.S. 56:424, 431, 433, or 433.1, the court may order the offender, for one year after the date of such conviction, to harvest oysters only from a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system. For any person convicted of a second offense of the provisions of R.S. 56:424, 431, 433, or 433.1, the court shall require the offender, for three years after the date of such conviction, to harvest oysters only from a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system. For any person convicted of a third or subsequent offense, the court shall require the offender, for ten years after the date of such conviction, to harvest only from a vessel that employs a vessel monitoring system.

B. Whenever a person is required to employ a vessel monitoring system, access to the monitoring system shall be granted to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Each person required to employ such monitoring system under the provisions of this Section shall notify the department on which vessel he will be harvesting oysters. Any person required to be on board a vessel with an approved vessel monitoring system when harvesting oysters shall comply with all rules and regulations adopted by the department to ensure compliance with vessel monitoring system requirements. The cost of a vessel monitoring system shall be the responsibility of the person required to be on such vessel. The department shall determine which vessel monitoring systems are approved for use under the provisions of this Section.

C. Any person required to be on board a vessel with an approved vessel monitoring system who is found harvesting oysters from a vessel not equipped with such vessel monitoring system shall have his harvester's license suspended for the remainder of the license year in which he was convicted of violation of the vessel monitoring system requirement, and he shall not be eligible for a harvester's license for the following year.

D. The department shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions of this Section.

Acts 2007, No. 310, §1; Acts 2009, No. 376, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:326.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 326.5
Bowfin; size limitations; eggs
Status: in_force

A. It is the purpose of this Section to promote the conservation and sustained yield management of bowfin (commonly known as choupique, grinnel, grindle, or cypress trout). The legislature finds that the taking of bowfin, particularly female bowfin carrying roe or eggs, has reached levels of participation on a statewide basis that have impaired, or threaten to impair, the economic welfare of future bowfin harvesting, the overall efficiency of the harvest, and the sustained yield management of the bowfin resource.

B. No person who is in possession of a commercial fishing license shall take or sell bowfin less than twenty-two inches in total length with the mouth closed. No person who is in possession of a recreational fishing license shall take bowfin less than sixteen inches in total length with the mouth closed. In addition, fishermen are prohibited, while on the water or the land, from possessing bowfin eggs (roe) that are not naturally connected to a whole fish.

C. Violation of this Section constitutes a class 2-B violation.

Acts 1991, No. 393, §1; Acts 1992, No. 81, §1; Acts 1993, No. 435, §1; Acts 1999, No. 574, §1; Acts 2003, No. 945, §1; Acts 2021, No. 241, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:752 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 752
Control of area; rules and regulations
Status: in_force

The commissioner of wildlife and fisheries has absolute control and authority concerning the use of the lands and shall adopt rules and regulations controlling the area.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:83 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 83
Operating expenses; proration
Status: in_force

The operating expenses of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission shall be borne by the states party hereto. Such initial appropriations as are set forth below shall be made available yearly until modified as hereinafter provided:

Florida

$

3,500.00

Alabama

1,000.00

Mississippi

1,000.00

Louisiana

5,000.00

Texas

2,500.00

Total

$

13,000.00

The proration and total cost per year of thirteen thousand dollars, above mentioned, is estimate only, for initial operations, and may be changed when found necessary by the commission and approved by the legislatures of the respective states. Each state party hereto agrees to provide, in the manner most acceptable to it, the travel costs and necessary expenses of its commissioners and other representatives to and from meetings of the commission or its duly constituted section or committees.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:40.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 40.9
Disposition of recovery
Status: in_force

A. Any recovery of civil penalties for injury to fish, wild birds, wild quadrupeds, and other wildlife and aquatic life shall be immediately deposited to the Conservation Fund of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and credited to the enforcement emergency situation response account within the fund. If the balance in the enforcement emergency situation response account at the end of any fiscal year is one hundred thousand dollars or more, then no monies derived from civil penalties for injury to fish, wild birds, wild quadrupeds or other wildlife and aquatic life shall be deposited into the account until such time as the balance in the account at the end of a fiscal year is less than one hundred thousand dollars.

B. In any civil action brought by the district attorney pursuant to R.S. 56:40.4, the office of the district attorney shall receive forty percent of the amount collected.

Acts 1988, No. 169, §2; Acts 2003, No. 784, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:306.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 306.5
Records
Status: in_force

A. Wholesale/retail seafood dealers, retail seafood dealers, restaurants, and retail grocers shall keep, in the English language:

(1) Records of the quantity and species of fish acquired, the date the fish was acquired, and the name and license number of the wholesale/retail seafood dealer or the out-of-state seller from whom the fish was acquired. When creel limits apply to commercial species, records shall also indicate the number by head count of such species of fish.

(2) Records of the quantity and species of fish sold, the date the fish was sold, and the name and license number of the person to whom the fish was sold. When sold to the consumer, the records shall indicate the quantity, species, and date and shall state that the fish was sold to the consumer.

B.(1) Wholesale/retail seafood dealers purchasing or acquiring fish from commercial fisherman shall complete a commercial receipt form. The commercial receipt form shall be a three-part form signed by both the commercial fisherman and the wholesale/retail seafood dealer or his designee, attesting to that the information required to be provided by each is correct. One part of the receipt form shall be retained by the wholesale/retail seafood dealer, one part shall be transmitted to the commercial fisherman within twenty-four hours of the transaction, and one part shall be transmitted to the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as provided for in R.S. 56:306.6.

(2) The wholesale/retail seafood dealer is responsible for recording on the commercial receipt form that information provided by the commercial fisherman as specified in R.S. 56:303.7, and is responsible for the following information within twenty-four hours of each purchase or transfer of possession of a catch from a commercial fisherman to a wholesale/retail seafood dealer: wholesale/retail seafood dealer's name and license number, commercial fisherman's name, license number and signature, transaction date, species identification, quantity and units of each species, size and condition of each species, unit price of each species, and permit number for species requiring a permit to harvest.

C. The records required under Subsections A and B of this Section shall be maintained for three years and shall be open to inspection by the department.

D. All information, data, and statistics obtained by the department pursuant to this Section shall be used for the equitable and efficient administration and enforcement of the laws pertaining to the fisheries resources of the state and for conservation and management purposes.

E. The names, addresses, and license numbers of commercial fishermen, except oyster fishermen, shall remain confidential, provided such information shall be available to and used by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for administrative and enforcement purposes. However, the department may make the names and addresses of commercial fishermen available to public or private entities for financial consideration.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1; Acts 1997, No. 376, §1; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 631, §1; Acts 2025, No. 91, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:762 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 762
Imported wild birds and animals protected in general
Status: in_force

No person shall catch, kill, snare, or pursue any wild animal or bird imported into this state by the federal government, or by any person under the supervision and consent of the commission for the purpose of experimentation or propagation.

Amended by Acts 1981, No. 736, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:69.24 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 69.24
Procedure for the home state
Status: in_force

A. Upon receipt of a report from the licensing authority of an issuing state reporting the failure of a person to comply with the terms of a citation, the licensing authority of the home state shall:

(1) Notify the person.

(2) Initiate a suspension action in accordance with the home state's suspension procedures.

(3) Suspend the person's license privileges until satisfactory evidence of compliance with the terms of the citation has been furnished by the issuing state to the home state licensing authority.

B. Due process safeguards shall be accorded to alleged violators.

C. Upon receipt of a report of conviction from the licensing authority of the issuing state, the licensing authority of the home state shall enter the conviction as though it occurred in the home state for the purposes of the suspension of license privileges.

D. The licensing authority of the home state shall:

(1) Maintain a record of actions taken.

(2) Make reports to issuing states as provided in the compact manual.

Acts 2008, No. 363, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:678 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 678
Hunting reciprocity; Mississippi
Status: in_force

The holder of a hunting license issued by the state of Mississippi shall have the same rights and privileges to hunt wild game birds and quadrupeds upon islands in and the waters of the Mississippi River and the Pearl River and other land resulting from accretion along the Mississippi River and the Pearl River where those rivers form the boundary between the states of Louisiana and Mississippi as are provided by law for the holder of a Louisiana hunting license. This Section shall take effect and become operative if and when the state of Mississippi grants reciprocal privileges to the holders of hunting and fishing or angling licenses issued by the state of Louisiana.

Acts 2021, No. 356, §3, eff. June 1, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:39 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 39
Forfeiture of quadrupeds, birds, and fish; Fish and Wildlife Violations Reward Fund, creation and use of fund monies
Status: in_force

A. In addition to all other penalties provided in this Chapter, violators subject to the provisions of R.S. 56:31 through R.S. 56:37.1 or R.S. 14:63(G)(5) shall upon conviction forfeit any quadrupeds, birds, fish, or other animals seized in connection with said violation.

B.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the first two dollars of any penalty or fine imposed for a violation of any provision of this Title shall be paid, monthly, into the state treasury for deposit into the Fish and Wildlife Violations Reward Fund, hereinafter referred to as the "fund", which is hereby created, as a special fund, in the state treasury.

(2) Out of the funds remaining in the Bond Security and Redemption Fund after a sufficient amount is allocated from that fund to pay all obligations secured by the full faith and credit of the state that become due and payable within a fiscal year, the treasurer in each fiscal year shall pay into the fund an amount equal to the total amount of monies received from the first two dollars of any penalty or fine as provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

C. All unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall remain in the fund and be available for appropriation in the next fiscal year in the same manner as allocated herein. Monies in the fund shall be invested as provided by law. Interest earned on the investment of monies in the fund shall be credited to the state general fund.

D. Subject to appropriation by the legislature, monies in the fund shall be used solely by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to pay rewards to individuals who provide information to the department on criminal activity, to operate a hotline to be used to receive such information, and such other purposes directly related to obtaining information on criminal activities involving the fish and wildlife of the state.

E.(1) No person shall be required to disclose, by way of testimony or otherwise, a privileged communication between a person who submits a report of alleged criminal activity to the department and the person who accepts the report on behalf of the department nor shall any person be required to produce any records, documentary evidence, opinions, or decisions related to such privileged communication in connection with any criminal case or proceedings or by way of any discovery procedure.

(2) Any person arrested or charged with a criminal offense may petition the court for an in camera inspection of the records of a privileged communication concerning such person made to the department. The petition shall allege facts showing that such records would provide evidence favorable to the defendant and relevant to the issue of guilt or punishment. If the court determines that the person is entitled to all or any part of such records, it may order production and disclosure as it deems appropriate.

(3) As used in this Section, "privileged communication" means a statement by any person, in any manner whatsoever, to the department for the purpose of reporting alleged criminal activity. Privileged communication shall include a statement by a person, in any manner whatsoever, to a nonprofit entity administering and implementing the department's fish and wildlife reward program pursuant to a cooperative endeavor agreement with the department.

F. The department may execute a cooperative endeavor agreement with an appropriate nonprofit entity to administer and implement its fish and wildlife rewards program. All public monies utilized pursuant to such cooperative endeavor agreement shall be subject to audit and oversight by the legislative auditor.

Acts 1989, No. 235, §1, eff. June 26, 1989; Acts 2004, No. 174, §1; Acts 2006, No. 715, §1; Acts 2012, No. 561, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:303.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 303.9
Presumption of fish used for commercial purposes only
Status: in_force

As a condition of granting wholesale licenses, retail licenses, or transportation licenses, all fish in the possession on the premises of the licensed facility or licensed vehicle shall be deemed to be used for commercial purposes only.

Acts 1997, No. 670, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:115 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 115
Wild birds and wild quadrupeds; adoption of seasons, bag and possession limits; rules and regulations; penalties
Status: in_force

A. The commission is hereby specifically authorized, directed, and empowered to fix, approve, and adopt seasons and bag and possession limits and to establish other rules and regulations for the hunting, taking, possession, or protection of any species or sex of wild quadrupeds and wild birds, in any specified locality or localities of the state. Such rules and regulations shall have the full force and effect of law to the same extent as statutory laws.

B. The commission may at any time declare any season closed or otherwise restrict hunting as it deems advisable in the interest of wildlife management.

C. The open season for taking migratory game birds and the bag limit and other rules and regulations affecting migratory game birds shall conform to federal regulations promulgated under the treaty between the United States and Great Britain for a period of years in the case of certain species. No person shall take, even at the time and in the manner specified and fixed by said department, or in the aggregate during the open season, a greater number of migratory game birds than specified under federal and state regulations.

D. Violation of any of the provisions of a rule or regulation adopted by the commission adopted pursuant to the provisions of this Section constitutes a class two violation, except where a higher class of violation is specified for a violation by some other provision of this Chapter.

Amended by Acts 1950, No. 317, §1; Acts 1952, No. 343, §1; Acts 1954, No. 355, §1; Acts 1990, No. 194, §2, eff. July 2, 1990; Acts 1954, No. 584, §1; Acts 1958, No. 454, §1; Acts 1974, No. 717, §1; Acts 1977, No. 207, §1; Acts 1981, No. 736, §1; Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 1985, No. 417, §1; Acts 1985, No. 562, §1; Acts 1990, No. 194, §§1 and 2, eff. July 2, 1990; Acts 1992, No. 966, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:61 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 61
Disposition of things, other than vessels, airplanes, vehicles and equipment, confiscated or forfeited to the department
Status: in_force

Things, other than vessels, airplanes, vehicles, and equipment, confiscated by the department or forfeited to the commission shall be disposed of under regulations to be established by the commission. The preferred disposition shall be by public sale, however, disposition may include gifts to schools or charitable institutions or destruction.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:429 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 429
Default in payment of rent; cancellation and forfeitures
Status: in_force

The failure of the lessee to pay the rent punctually on or before the first of each January, or within sixty days thereafter, ipso facto and without demand or putting in default, terminates and cancels the lease and forfeits to the department all the works, improvements, betterments, and oysters on the leased water bottom. The department may at once enter on the water bottom and take possession thereof. Such water bottom shall then be open for lease in accordance with R.S. 56:425. Ten days thereafter the department shall enter the termination, cancellation, and forfeiture on its books and give public notice thereof by publication in one local paper in the parish where the formerly leased water bottoms are located. On or before the first day of each February, the department shall issue a written notice of delinquency by certified mail to each lessee who has not yet paid the rent. The department shall also publish notice of such delinquency on its website and in the official journal of the parish in which the delinquent lease is located. Any lessee who pays the rent on or after the first day of February shall pay the rent due plus an additional ten percent penalty.

Acts 1981, No. 925, §1; Acts 2006, No. 425, §1, eff. June 15, 2006; Acts 2016, No. 595, §1, eff. July 1, 2016.

NOTE: See Acts 2005, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 17, for applicability to 2006 renewals.

NOTE: See Act 595 of the 2016 Regular Session, §2, for details of moratorium lifting procedure.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:473 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 473
Recreational possession limit; recreational gear regulations
Status: in_force

A. A recreational fisherman can take no more than two bushels of clams per day.

B. The department shall designate by regulation the types of rakes or tongs that can be used by a recreational fisherman.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 616, §1. Acts 1984, No. 230, §1, eff. June 29, 1984. Acts 1986, No. 904, §3.

{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:73 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 73
Time compact becomes operative; parties to compact
Status: in_force

This compact becomes operative immediately upon ratification by any two or more of the states of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas and when the Congress has given its consent subject to Article I, Section 10, of the Constitution of the United States. Any state contiguous to any of the aforementioned states or riparian upon waters which flow into waters under the jurisdiction of any of the aforementioned states and which are frequented by anadromous fish or marine species may become a party hereto as hereinafter in this Part provided.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:59 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 59
Disposition of seized vessels, airplanes, vehicles, and equipment therefor
Status: in_force

A. Vessels, airplanes, vehicles, and other means of transport and the equipment therefor, all hereinafter called "the thing", seized under the provisions of R.S. 56:57, may be released from seizure upon the owner or person in charge furnishing bond with security as fixed and approved by the judge or court having jurisdiction. If the penalty for the offense charged includes forfeiture, upon conviction of the offender, the court shall order the thing forfeited to the department and sold at public auction by the sheriff without necessity of appraisement but after advertisement as prescribed by law for the sale of movable property seized under a writ of fieri facias. The court, as an alternative to forfeiture and sale, and on petition of the secretary, may order suspension of operation of the thing for not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days. During any suspension of operation of the thing, it shall be kept in the custody of the department at the cost and risk of the thing, its owner or operator, and not released until all charges are paid. The owner or operator may provide a keeper at his own expense, the thing however, to continue in the custody of the commission.

B. Where forfeiture or suspension is decreed or where the owner or lessee of the thing proves the offense was committed without his knowledge or consent, the captain, pilot, or other person in charge or command of the thing at the time of commission of the offense, by order of the court shall be enjoined from engaging in use or operation of the thing in violation of any provision of this Title. Further, the captain, pilot, or other person in charge or command of the thing at the time of commission of the offense, by order of the court, shall be suspended from engaging in the taking or in activity in which he was engaged at the time of his arrest for a period of not less than sixty days nor more than six months. In addition the captain, pilot, or person in charge or command shall be guilty of a class three violation.

C. Proceedings under this Section may be in rem against the thing and when so instituted shall be conducted in accordance with R.S. 34:801 through R.S. 34:817 when not inconsistent with this Chapter. Notice of an in rem proceeding shall be given by the department as provided in R.S. 34:806 and persons interested may file answers as provided in R.S. 34:808. If no answer is filed, default may be taken as provided in R.S. 34:809. The plaintiff may, at its option, join a suit in personam against the vessel owner or operator.

D. Upon seizure of the thing as provided in R.S. 56:57 and either before or after proceedings conforming therewith have been filed in the district court, the secretary, as party plaintiff, may enter into a compromise with parties defendant and file a pleading setting forth the seizure and the cause thereof. The agreement and the case shall be docketed with the approval of the court and shall be the basis of a final civil judgment entitled to full authority, faith, and credit binding on all parties with the force and effect of a thing adjudged. No compromise shall be effected where the actual suspension of the thing shall be ordered and decreed for less than ten days. If it be shown that the owner or lessee is without guilty knowledge, the guilty parties shall be guilty of a class three violation.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §1; Acts 1985, No. 876, §3, eff. July 23, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:631 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 631
Funds dedicated
Status: in_force

In order to enforce properly the conservation laws and rules and regulations of the commission with respect to the operation and development of wildlife management areas, wildlife refuges, public shooting grounds or outdoor recreation areas, all revenue derived from trapping leases or the sale of furs or mineral leases or exploitation in any way of the mineral resources of any such lands under the jurisdiction of the commission are dedicated to the commission, to be used for the protection, maintenance, operation, and development of such areas or for the acquisition of other such areas.

Amended by Acts 1974, No. 717, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1943 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1943
Route of Cote Joyeuse
Status: in_force

The route composing the Cote Joyeuse, which is to be used as a route for the enjoyment of tourists of the Cote Joyeuse area, shall consist of the following:

(1) Enter the corridor at the bend of Cane River Lake at Highway 1223 (also known as Rapides Drive or Mill Street) at the site of Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, heading south.

(2) Cross the railroad track to Woodyard Drive (also known as Fish Hatchery Road), which intersects Highway 1 south and head east.

(3) At the intersection of Highway 494 and Woodyard Drive, turn right (at home of Mary Cloutier Fulton) and continue.

(4)(a) Turn left at Bermuda Bridge from Highway 494, then right on Highway 119 and continue to the intersection of Highway 119 and Highway 493. At the intersection, turn left to Melrose Plantation and continue on Highway 119 to Derry, ending at Highway 1, or turn right to Cane River Bridge and St. Augustine Church, ending at Highway 1.

(b) At the Bermuda Bridge, instead of crossing, stay on Highway 494 until it intersects with Highway 484, and continue until it intersects with Highway 493 at St. Augustine Church and continue to Highway 1.

(5) Follow Highway 1 south to Cloutierville, and turn left on Highway 495 across the Cane River Bridge, past Bayou Folk Museum and continue in a circle back to Highway 1.

(6)(a) Enter from the intersection of Highway 1 south and Keyser Avenue and continue east on Highway 494 until crossing Pratt's Bridge, near Pointe Place. Turn left and continue to the intersection of Woodyard Drive and Highway 494 (described in Subsections 3 and 4 of this Section).

(b) At Pratt's Bridge, instead of crossing, turn left and follow Bermuda Road (Parish Road), where it circles and reaches the foot of Bermuda Bridge.

Acts 1989, No. 467, §1; Acts 1999, No. 709, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:410.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 410.7
Black Lake, Clear Lake, and Prairie Lake; marking of nets required; permitted and prohibited fishing gear; penalties
Status: in_force

A. No person shall set or use any net for the taking of recreational or commercial fish in Black Lake, Clear Lake, or Prairie Lake unless it has been marked with a waterproof tag with the name and address of the fisherman and his fishing license number. Violation of this provision shall be punishable by a twenty-five dollar fine payable to the Northwest Game and Fish Preserve Commission.

B. No person shall use a gill net or trammel net or leaded gill net which has less than a minimum of three and one-half inch bar and seven inches stretch. Violation of this provision shall be punishable by a twenty-five dollar fine payable to the Northwest Game and Fish Preserve Commission.

C. Repealed by Acts 2012, No. 133, §1.

Acts 1995, No. 550, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1227, §1; Acts 2012, No. 133, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:578.11 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 578.11
Labeling of catfish packaging; possession and exchange of certain catfish prohibited; penalties
Status: in_force

A. No person shall possess, sell, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange or attempt to sell, purchase, trade, or exchange any catfish or catfish product unless such catfish or catfish product is labeled to indicate that the fish is farm-raised or naturally produced (wild). When catfish fillets are possessed for retail sale, labeling as required by this Subsection shall be easily visible.

B.(1) No person shall possess, sell, purchase, trade, barter, or exchange or attempt to sell, purchase, barter, or exchange any species of fish as catfish or catfish product unless that catfish is within the family of Ictaluridae, Ariidae, or Loricariidae.

(2) Fish within the family Pangasiidae shall not be possessed, sold, purchased, bartered, traded, or exchanged as catfish or a catfish product.

C. Violation of this Section shall be a class four violation.

D. As used in this Section, "farm-raised" means produced using the aquacultural procedure whereby catfish are propagated, maintained, reared, and harvested within artificial reservoirs, tanks, cages, impoundments, or other controlled environments, so as to prevent, at all times, the ingress or egress of animal and plant life from public waters including natural streams or lakes. "Farm-raised" shall not include the production and harvesting of catfish in cages or other enclosures located in natural streams or rivers.

Acts 1991, No. 514, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 2001, No. 761, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001; Acts 2003, No. 1026, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1705 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1705
Poverty Point Reservoir Development Dedicated Fund Account
Status: in_force

A. The Poverty Point Reservoir Development Dedicated Fund Account, hereinafter referred to as the "account", is hereby established as a special dedicated fund account within the state treasury. Monies deposited into the account shall be categorized as fees and self-generated revenue for the sole purpose of reporting related to the executive budget, supporting documents, and general appropriation bills and shall be available for annual appropriation by the legislature.

B. After satisfaction of the requirements of Article VII, Section 9(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana with respect to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund, the state treasurer shall each year deposit in and credit to the account an amount equal to the total fees and self-generated revenues collected in that year from activities of the Poverty Point Retirement Development Community and the Black Bear Golf Course. Monies in the account may be appropriated for support of the operation, maintenance, improvement, and expansion of the Poverty Point Retirement Development Community and the Black Bear Golf Course. Any unexpended or unencumbered monies on deposit in the account at the end of the fiscal year shall remain in the account. Monies in the account shall beinvested in the same manner as those in the state general fund and interest earned on such investment shall be deposited in and credited to the state general fund.

C. The Poverty Point Reservoir Development District Board membership shall be representative of the population of the state based on race and gender as near as practicable.

Acts 2006, No. 357, §1, eff. June 13, 2006; Acts 2021, No. 114, §16, eff. July 1, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1622 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1622
Forfeitures of all rights, property, money, or things of value acquired
Status: in_force

Any violation of the provisions of R.S. 56:1621 shall ipso facto operate as an immediate forfeiture to the state of all rights, property, money, or things of value acquired, in violation thereof, from, upon, under, or out of property privately owned or leased or property owned or leased from the state or any property owned by or leased from any municipality or public board, body, commission, or agency of the state. The rights of the state respecting such forfeitures is imprescriptible.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:648 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 648
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Part, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) "Process of taking" means any act directed at the lawful taking of a wild animal, including the acts of travel, camping, or other activity occurring in preparation for the taking which occurs on state-managed lands or waters or which occurs on private lands or waters with the permission of the owner or his agent.

(2) "Wild animal" means any wild creature, including fish, wild birds, and wild quadrupeds, the taking of which is authorized by the provisions of this Title.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 376, §1; Acts 2024, No. 220, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:17 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 17
Taking fish for purpose of science and cultivation; permits; propagation of fish
Status: in_force

The director may take fish of any kind in any manner or place for the purpose of science and of cultivation and distribution and may grant written permits to other persons for the same purpose. He may introduce or permit to be introduced any kind of fish into any waters. He may, after a hearing, set apart for a term not exceeding ten years any waters in the state for the purpose of propagation or for the use of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The order setting apart such waters shall be recorded in the conveyance office of the parish in which they are situated. He may erect and maintain such fixtures as are necessary for the purpose of propagation and maintenance.

Added by Acts 1974, No. 717, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:321 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 321
Elevated trotlines prohibited; civil liability
Status: in_force

A. No person shall set, maintain, take, or attempt to take fish from any trotline of which any segment of the staging line measures in excess of four feet where any portion of any hook extends above the surface of the waters of any of the bodies of waters within the state of Louisiana. However, this Section shall not apply to White Lake in Vermilion Parish and Grand Lake and Lake Misere in Cameron Parish. Any violation of the provisions of this Section shall constitute a class two violation, R.S. 56:32.

B. Such action shall be considered prima facie evidence of negligence in a civil action for damages suffered by another as a result thereof.

Acts 1974, No. 223, §1; Acts 1992, No. 854, §1; Acts 1993, No, 843, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:647 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 647
Suspension or denial of hunting and fishing license; failure to pay child support, individual income tax, or unemployment compensation overpayment
Status: in_force

A.(1) Regardless of the requirements for the issuance or renewal of a license pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, all hunting and fishing licenses issued pursuant to this Chapter are also subject to the provisions of R.S. 9:315.30 et seq., suspension of license for nonpayment of child support and R.S. 23:1749.1 et seq., suspension of license for nonpayment of unemployment compensation overpayment.

(2) The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act to effectuate the orderly and expeditious suspension and reissuance of hunting and fishing licenses in accordance with R.S. 9:315.30 et seq. and R.S. 23:1749.1 et seq.

B.(1) Regardless of the requirements for the issuance or renewal of a license pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, all recreational hunting and fishing licenses issued pursuant to this Chapter are also subject to the provisions of R.S. 9:315.40 et seq., revocation of license for nonpayment of child support and R.S. 23:1749.1 et seq., suspension of license for nonpayment of unemployment compensation overpayment.

(2) The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shall adopt rules and regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act to effectuate the orderly and expeditious suspension and reissuance of recreational hunting and fishing licenses in accordance with R.S. 9:315.40 et seq. and R.S. 23:1749.1 et seq.

C.(1) Regardless of the requirements for the issuance or renewal of a license pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, all hunting and fishing licenses issued pursuant to this Chapter are also subject to the provisions of R.S. 47:296.3, suspension, revocation, or denial of license for nonpayment of individual income taxes, and any rules and regulations adopted to administer R.S. 47:296.3.

(2) The secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, in cooperation with the secretary of the Department of Revenue, shall adopt rules and regulations, in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, to effectuate the orderly and expeditious suspension, revocation, or denial, and reissuance of hunting and fishing licenses, in accordance with R.S. 47:296.3.

Acts 1995, No. 751, §2; Acts 1995, No. 1078, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 2003, No. 380, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2012, No. 263, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:499.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 499.3
Butterfly and bottom nets; Oyster Bayou
Status: in_force

A. In the body of water known as Oyster Bayou, located between Atchafalaya Bay and Terrebonne Bay, and extending one thousand feet outside of the points where Oyster Bayou connects with Fourleague Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, butterfly nets and bottom nets may be used to take shrimp only when suspended from a fishing boat or vessel which is motor propelled and underway.

B. Any anchor or weight used to secure in the waterway the net or any object to which it is attached or mounted, including but not limited to any unmanned boat or vessel, floating platform, pontoon, or barge, shall be prohibited.

C. Any rope, line, chain, or other device used to connect to the shoreline the net and any object to which it is attached or mounted, including but not limited to any unmanned boat or vessel, floating platform, pontoon, or barge shall be prohibited.

Acts 1993, No. 768, §1; Acts 2003, No. 189, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:799.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 799.1
Purpose
Status: in_force

The purpose of this Subpart is to provide for the administration, control, management, and funding for the White Lake Property located in Vermilion Parish. The legislature acknowledges that the White Lake Property provides an opportunity for, and an obligation on, the state to preserve a scarce fresh water ecosystem and to conserve and protect in perpetuity a relatively natural habitat of fish, wildlife or plants or similar ecosystem.

Acts 2004, No. 613, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2005.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:30.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 30.4
Geophysical and geological surveys
Status: in_force

A. A person granted a permit to conduct geophysical and geological surveys of any kind on state-controlled lands, including water bottoms, shall not be assessed any additional fees to conduct operations on any designated oyster seed ground or reservation belonging to the state of Louisiana.

B. Each seismic exploration crew working in the state of Louisiana shall always be under the supervision of the seismic section of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The seismic operator shall be charged a fee of one hundred thirty-five dollars per crew per day.

C. Of the funds received by the department from geophysical and geological survey activity occurring on state lands, including water bottoms, under the provisions of R.S. 30:212(D) and the additional funds received by the department under the provisions of R.S. 30:136.1(D), an amount shall be used to plant shells for oyster cultch, rehabilitating areas damaged by operations, and as mitigation for any other damage to the coastal area. The determination of the amount to be so used shall be made in accordance with the provisions of LAC 76:I.301(T) and based upon the amount of geophysical and geological survey activity occurring on any designated oyster seed ground or reservation.

Acts 2000, 2d Ex. Sess., No. 8, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:475 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 475
Approved ports
Status: in_force

Clams shall be off-loaded only at approved ports.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 616, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1806 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1806
Construction of Chapter
Status: in_force

Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed as attempting to substitute, transfer, or supersede the proper constitutional or statutory function or jurisdiction of any state agency or head thereof by any other state agency.

Acts 1980, No. 827, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1901 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1901
Legislative findings and declarations
Status: in_force

The Louisiana Legislature finds:

A. That it is the policy of this state to conserve species of wildlife and native plants for human enjoyment, for scientific purposes, and to insure their perpetuation as viable components of this state's economic and ecological systems.

B. That species of wildlife and native plants normally occurring within this state which may be found to be threatened or endangered within the state should be accorded such protection as is necessary to maintain and to enhance their numbers.

C. That the state should assist in the protection of species of wildlife that are determined to be "threatened" or "endangered" elsewhere pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq., as concurred in by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, by prohibiting the taking, possession, transportation, exportation from the state, processing, sale or offer for sale or shipment within this state of such endangered species, or by carefully regulating such activities with regard to such species. Exceptions to such prohibitions, for the purpose of enhancing the conservation of such species, may be permitted as set forth elsewhere in this Part.

D. That funding for the conservation of threatened or endangered species and native plants may be made available to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries annually by appropriations from the general fund of the state. Additionally, sources other than those normally used by the department to support its present wildlife programs may be utilized, including but not limited to federal funding through Section 6 of the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and to that extent the department may enter into cooperative agreements with the proper authorities of the government of the United States, issue and promote the sale of "Endangered Species" stamps or utilize such other methods as are deemed appropriate to accomplish the purposes of this Part.

Acts 1974, No.473, §1; Acts 1981, No. 736, §1; Acts 2017, No. 228, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:578.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 578.9
Approval of regulations
Status: in_force

Any regulations promulgated as provided herein shall be submitted to and approved by the House Committee on Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs.

Added by Acts 1981, No. 890, §1; Acts 2013, No. 228, §2, eff. July 1, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:1697 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 1697
Sale or donation of lands belonging to school or levee board
Status: in_force

Any lands belonging to any school or levee board and any other public lands or water bottoms of the state suitable for the establishment and maintenance of office of state parks holdings may be sold or donated to the state of Louisiana, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, office of state parks, for the purposes herein set out in this Part, with the approval of the governor and the attorney general.

Acts 1980, No. 827, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:74 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 74
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission; representatives; qualifications
Status: in_force

Each state joining herein shall appoint three representatives to a commission hereby constituted and designated as the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. One shall be the head of the administrative agency of such state charged with the conservation of the fishery resources to which this compact pertains or, if there be more than one officer or agency, the official of that state named by the governor thereof. The second shall be a member of the legislature of such state designated by the governor thereof, provided that if it is constitutionally impossible to appoint a legislator as a commissioner from such state, the second member shall be appointed in such manner as may be established by law. The third shall be a citizen who shall have a knowledge of and interest in the marine fisheries, to be appointed by the governor. This commission shall be a body corporate with the powers and duties set forth in this Part.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:307.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 307.1
Transport license fee; underlying license
Status: in_force

A. The cost of a transport license is eighty-three dollars per vehicle and can be purchased only by a person holding a valid Louisiana commercial fisherman's license or valid Louisiana wholesale/retail dealer's license.

B. The transport license shall be in the name of and bear the license number of the purchaser and shall state "transport license".

C. The transport license may be applied for in the same manner and is valid for the same one-year period as that of the purchaser's license.

D. The department may also authorize the purchase of a four-year transport license at four times the cost of the annual license fee.

Acts 1986, No. 904, §1; Acts 2003, No. 182, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.

NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:783 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 783
Lease of lands; publication of notice
Status: in_force

The commission may, under such terms and conditions as it deems advisable, lease from private persons or corporations lands within the state for the establishment of wildlife refuges, wildlife management areas, public hunting grounds, upland game preserves, or wildlife sanctuaries. A notice describing the land by section, township, and range and stating that same has been leased and set aside as a wildlife refuge, wildlife management area, a public hunting ground, upland game preserves, or wildlife sanctuaries shall be published for not less than thirty days in a newspaper published or having a circulation in the parish or parishes in which the lands are situated.

Amended by Acts 1981, No. 736, §1; Acts 1981, No. 838, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:492 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 492
Incidental by-catch
Status: in_force

Any commercial shrimping vessel may retain and any commercial fisherman may sell all southern flounder caught as by-catch on any shrimping trip unless the southern flounder stock is determined by the department to be overfished or undergoing overfishing. After such a determination, the commission may adopt rules or regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to restrict the retention of southern flounder caught as by-catch on any shrimping trip until such time as the department determines the stock has recovered from an overfished or overfishing status.

Acts 1997, No. 1163, §1, eff. July 14, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 220, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:673 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 673
Reciprocal agreement; common boundaries; taking or protection of fish or other aquatic life
Status: in_force

The commission may enter into reciprocal agreements with the states of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas pertaining to seasons, creel limits, and all other rules and regulations pertaining to the taking or protection of any species of fish or other aquatic life in any bodies of water which form the common boundary between Louisiana and the reciprocating state. Any reciprocal agreement shall become effective when ratified in writing both by the commission and the authorities of the reciprocating state and shall remain in effect until ninety days after it has been rescinded in writing by either the commission or the authorities of the reciprocating state.

Acts 1984, No. 843, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:703 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 703
Lease or sale of lands to federal government by levee boards
Status: in_force

The boards of commissioners of the various levee districts may donate, lease, or sell, under such terms and conditions as they deem best, any lands respectively owned by them to the United States of America for use as refuges or sanctuaries for migratory wild fowl. However, in all cases the mineral rights on all such lands shall be reserved.

Amended by Acts 1974, No. 717, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 56:76 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 56 / Section 76
Officers; rules and regulations; meetings
Status: in_force

The commission shall elect from its number a chairman and a vice chairman, shall appoint and, at its pleasure, remove or discharge such officers and employees as may be required to carry the provisions of this compact into effect, and shall fix and determine their duties, qualifications, and compensation. The commission shall adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its business. It may establish and maintain one or more offices for the transaction of its business and may meet at any time or place. It shall meet at least once a year.

Acts 1981, No. 837, §2.