reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:322.1. Shad seine; commercial harvest of shad and skipjack herring

RS 56:322.1 - Shad seine; commercial harvest of shad and skipjack herring
A. A commercial fisherman licensed in accordance with R.S. 56:303 and 305(B)(6)(b) may take shad, skipjack, and any other freshwater commercial fish of legal size with a shad seine in accordance with this Section.
B. Only shad (
Dorosoma sp
), skipjack herring (
Alosa chryochloris
), hereafter in this Section referred to as skipjack, and any other legal-sized freshwater commercial fish may be taken with a shad seine; all other fish shall be immediately returned to waters from which they were caught. All fish on board the vessel shall have the head and caudal fin intact.
C.(1) A shad seine shall be a seine with a mesh size not less than one-inch bar and two inches stretched and not more than two-inch bar and four inches stretched. A shad seine may not be constructed of monofilament.
(2) Each shad seine shall have affixed to each end a one-gallon jug, painted international orange and marked in black lettering the words "Shad Seine", and waterproof tags with the name and license number of the fisherman in accordance with R.S. 56:320(F).
D. Repealed by Acts 2008, No. 24, §2.
E. Only strike fishing is authorized by this Section.
F. The following acts are prohibited:
(1) The use of more than one shad seine by a licensee.
(2) The use of more than one seine per vessel.
(3) The use of a shad seine by more than two vessels at one time.
(4) The use of a shad seine in a manner that unduly restricts navigation of other vessels or interferes with commercial shipping.
(5) Leaving a shad seine unattended or not actively fishing it while it is in the water.
G. A shad seine may only be fished in the freshwater areas of the state, but it shall not be used in the bodies of water where seine use is prohibited nor the Pearl River or the Pearl River navigational canal.
H. There shall be no daily take or possession limit for the commercial harvest of shad and skipjack taken under the provisions of this Section by properly licensed shad seine commercial fishermen.
I. Violation of any of the provisions of this Section, except for Paragraph (F)(4) and Subsection G, constitutes a class four violation. Violation of Paragraph (F)(4) constitutes a class three violation. Violation of Subsection G constitutes a class two violation.
Acts 2003, No. 274, §1; Acts 2004, No. 86, §1, eff. May 28, 2004; Acts 2008, No. 24, §§1, 2; Acts 2021, No. 356, §2, eff. Nov. 15, 2021.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:323. Bait; methods of taking

RS 56:323 - Bait; methods of taking
A. Minnows, crawfish, shrimp, and other legal bait species, not including game fish, may be taken with legal cast nets, minnow traps, dip nets, and bait seines when taken in compliance with all other laws. Freshwater shrimp may also be taken in accordance with R.S. 56:501.
B. Notwithstanding the mesh restrictions in R.S. 56:322, legal bait species may be taken with bait seines with a maximum mesh size not exceeding one-quarter inch mesh bar, one-half inch mesh stretched, and thirty feet in length. Bait seines must be operated only on foot and solely by hand, without any mechanical device, pulley, or mechanical assistance whatsoever. No person shall take or possess saltwater bait shrimp in excess of the possession limit contained in R.S. 56:500(B).
C. Dip nets may not exceed three feet in diameter and must be operated solely by hand, by no more than one person, and without any mechanical assistance whatsoever. No person shall take or possess saltwater bait shrimp in excess of the possession limit contained in R.S. 56:500(B).
D. A violation of any provision of this Section shall constitute a class four violation, R.S. 56:34.
Acts 1974, No. 223, §1. Amended by Acts 1975, No. 245, §1; Acts 1986, No. 904, §3; Acts 1995, No. 1080, §1; Acts 2004, No. 126, §1, eff. Nov. 15, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 161, §1.
NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:324. Menhaden seines; restrictions

RS 56:324 - Menhaden seines; restrictions
Anyone legally taking menhaden shall not have in their possession more than five percent, by weight, of any species of fish other than menhaden and herring-like species.
Added by Acts 1979, No. 593, §1. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 838, §1; Acts 1986, No. 904, §3.
{{NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.}}
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:325.2. Saltwater recreational finfish; total length

RS 56:325.2 - Saltwater recreational finfish; total length
A. Except as provided elsewhere in this Section, all saltwater recreational finfish shall have the head and caudal fin intact until set or put on shore. All saltwater recreational finfish shall be measured in accordance with applicable law.
B. Except as provided elsewhere in this Section, no person shall possess any finfish parts, such as filleted fish, while aboard a vessel on the water. For the purpose of consumption at sea aboard the harvesting vessel, a person shall have no more than two pounds of finfish parts per person on board the vessel, provided that the vessel is equipped to cook such finfish and such finfish does not exceed applicable bag limits.
C.(1) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the following:
(a) Any legally harvested saltwater recreational finfish for which there is no size limit, that is being utilized for bait and is not in excess of any daily possession limits.
(b) King or Spanish mackerel, if cut up and utilized for bait, so long as the carcass is retained with the head and caudal fin intact while such parts are in possession aboard a fishing vessel, so that size and number of fish possessed may be determined.
(2) Swordfish possessed by a recreational fisherman shall not be skinned until set or put on shore.
(3) Tuna shall retain the caudal fin intact until set or put on shore, and those species of tuna which have minimum size restrictions may have the head removed as long as the carcass length without the head exceeds the minimum size requirement.
(4) Any garfish caught or possessed by a recreational fisherman in the saltwater areas of the state may have the head and caudal fin removed but, until the fish is set or put on shore, it shall retain a strip of skin sufficient to clearly identify the fish.
D. Violation of any of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class three violation.
Acts 1987, No. 383, §1; Acts 1988, No. 35, §1; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 700, §1; Acts 2001, No. 150, §1; Acts 2010, No. 293, §1; Acts 2012, No. 469, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:325.5. Commercial menhaden harvest reporting

RS 56:325.5 - Commercial menhaden harvest reporting
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.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:325.6. Bait gulf menhaden; annual quota after regular closed season

RS 56:325.6 - Bait gulf menhaden; annual quota after regular closed season
A. The Louisiana Legislature finds and declares there is great financial hardship imposed upon Louisiana crawfish, blue crab, and catfish fishermen because of insufficient supplies of bait during the winter season. This insufficiency compels Louisiana fishermen to purchase bait menhaden and other less effective baits at greatly increased costs from other sources outside the state. In order to assist these fishermen, the legislature hereby extends the regular bait gulf menhaden season by adding a quota of bait gulf menhaden to be taken during the closed season.
B. The maximum quota for the commercial harvest of bait gulf menhaden, to be used for bait only, taken within Louisiana waters or landed in Louisiana is established at three thousand metric tons, regardless of the harvesting method used, after the close of the regular menhaden season until December first. If the quota has not been reached by December first, then, beginning on April first of the following year, bait gulf menhaden may be taken until the department determines that the quota has been met. Any menhaden taken pursuant to this Section shall be sold only for use as bait.
C. The department shall monitor catch statistics for bait gulf menhaden and shall notify the commission when it is determined that the quota has been reached or is projected to be reached. When the quota has been reached or is projected to be reached, the commission shall by public notice close the bait menhaden season and fisheries to all commercial fishing in Louisiana waters. The closure shall not take effect until at least seventy-two hours after notice to the public. The closure and notice of closure shall provide that the commercial taking or landing of bait gulf menhaden in Louisiana, whether caught within or without the territorial waters of Louisiana, after the closure, is prohibited. The closure and notice of closure shall, in addition, provide that no vessel possessing or fishing with any seine, gill net, trammel net, or hoop net shall have bait gulf menhaden aboard the vessel, whether caught within or without the waters of the state. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to prohibit the possession of fish legally taken prior to the closure order.
D. The provisions of this Section shall apply to outside waters only.
E. Violation of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class 5(B) violation.
F. The secretary shall grant special permits for the taking of menhaden during the special bait season. Each individual or company receiving such a permit shall reimburse the department for all expenses incurred in the placement of an observer on each boat participating in the special bait season. All menhaden caught during this season will be sold for bait.
Acts 1989, No. 414, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:326.1. Size limits set by commission

RS 56:326.1 - Size limits set by commission
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.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:326.2. Vessels landing red drum; notice to department; equipment; inspection

RS 56:326.2 - Vessels landing red drum; notice to department; equipment; inspection
Any vessel engaged in commercial fishing in the Federal Fishery Conservation Zone and landing red drum in Louisiana shall be equipped with a functioning transponder aboard, shall permit on board inspection of its catch by agents of appropriate federal or state agencies, and shall notify the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries of any catch of red drum prior to the time the vessel docks or otherwise unloads its catch. The notice shall include the location of the vessel, where it will dock or unload, expected time of docking or unloading, and the estimated number of pounds of red drum on board.
Acts 1987, No. 383, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:326.3. Possession limits; size limits, seasons, quotas, times, and daily take limits, set by commission; penalties

RS 56:326.3 - Possession limits; size limits, seasons, quotas, times, and daily take limits, set by commission; penalties
Subject to the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and specifically R.S. 49:966 and R.S. 56:325.3, the commission may set possession limits, quotas, places, seasons, times, size limits, and daily take limits based upon biological and technical data, for all freshwater and saltwater finfish taken or possessed in Louisiana waters. Penalties for violation of any rule or regulations adopted and promulgated by the commission under this Section constitutes a class two violation.
Acts 1988, No. 954, §1, eff. July 27, 1988; Acts 1989, No. 486, §1, eff. July 1, 1989; Acts 1990, No. 376, §1; Acts 1991, No. 157, §1, eff. July 2, 1991.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:326.4. Staggered and split seasons and quotas

RS 56:326.4 - Staggered and split seasons and quotas
A. The legislature finds that Louisiana has a national reputation for serving unique and high quality seafood dishes, and that the availability of fresh popular fish to serve in Louisiana restaurants is important to the vitality of our culture and economy. Further, the legislature finds that it is in the best interest of the state that the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission be authorized to set seasons and quotas for fishing in such a manner as to maximize the availability of popular fish for serving in Louisiana restaurants.
B. Except as otherwise provided by law, the commission, when setting seasons and quotas for taking fish, shall determine which fish are considered to be popular fish for serving in Louisiana restaurants and may split, stagger, or otherwise arrange their seasons and quotas in such a manner that some of the popular fish would be harvested and available to Louisiana restaurants throughout the entire year. The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to the harvesting of spotted sea trout.
C. The commission shall provide a forum for interested parties to provide input to determine which fish are popular fish to serve in Louisiana restaurants.
Acts 1990, No. 492, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:326.5. Bowfin; size limitations; eggs

RS 56:326.5 - Bowfin; size limitations; eggs
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.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:326.6. Closed season; bowfin

RS 56:326.6 - Closed season; bowfin
A. The commercial taking of bowfin (Amia calva) or bowfin body parts including eggs (roe) with nets is prohibited during the months of December, January, and February. However, the provisions of this Section shall not apply to the taking of bowfin or bowfin body parts in Avoyelles, Terrebonne, West Baton Rouge, Pointe Coupee, Assumption, Iberville, and Tangipahoa parishes and the areas known as Bayou Courtableau, Bayou Teche, Lake Dauterive, Lake Fausse Pointe, Vermilion River, Carencro Bayou, Que de Tortue Bayou, Bayou Nez Pique, Mermentau River, Bayou Lacassine, Sabine River, and the Atchafalaya Basin Floodway that is bounded by the east and west levees of the Atchafalaya Basin and is south of U.S. Highway 190.
B. Violation of this Section constitutes a class three violation.
Acts 1992, No. 187, §1; Acts 1993, No. 435, §1; Acts 1995, No. 200, §1; Acts 1997, No. 874, §1; Acts 1999, No. 574, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:328. Conducting fishing operations so as not to destroy nests or natural hiding places of young fish; prohibited importation; control and regulation of noxious aquatic plants; permit; penalty

RS 56:328 - Conducting fishing operations so as not to destroy nests or natural hiding places of young fish; prohibited importation; control and regulation of noxious aquatic plants; permit; penalty
A. All fishing operations shall be conducted in such a way that nests of fish or the natural hiding places of young fish or shrimp are not destroyed. Nets shall not be hauled out upon the shore in such a way that any illegal fish which may happen to be taken therein cannot be returned to the waters without injury. All vegetation hauled up in fishing operations, except such as may be condemned as detrimental by the commission, shall be carefully removed and immediately put back into the waters in such a manner as not to injure any fish eggs, small fish, or fish foods contained therein.
B. No person shall at any time import or cause to be transported into the jurisdiction of the state of Louisiana, from any other state or country, without first obtaining a written permit from the department, noxious aquatic plants which are or can be grown submerged, immersed, floating in water, or in wetland conditions. The department shall maintain and promulgate under the Administrative Procedure Act a list of prohibited invasive, noxious aquatic plants.
C. The department shall have the authority to promulgate rules under the Administrative Procedure Act to prevent the introduction of invasive, noxious aquatic plants and to control, eradicate, and prevent the spread or dissemination within the state of all invasive, noxious aquatic plants that pose a threat to the wildlife or fisheries resources of the state. The department may issue permits for the importation of any of the invasive, noxious aquatic plants for the purpose of conducting scientific investigations of such species of aquatic plants. Terms and conditions of all permits issued shall be prescribed by the department.
D. The department shall confer and cooperate with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry to determine if any potentially regulated plants are of agricultural importance.
E. Violation of the provisions of Subsection B or C of this Section and violation of any rule adopted pursuant to the provisions of this Section constitutes a class four violation.
Acts 1974, No. 223, §1. Amended by Acts 1975, No. 248, §1; Acts 1980, No. 593, §1; Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 1992, No. 45, §1; Acts 2006, No. 400, §1, eff. July 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 400, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2007.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:329. Obstruction of streams or lakes by fyke nets or other devices

RS 56:329 - Obstruction of streams or lakes by fyke nets or other devices
A. No person shall obstruct the free passage of fish in any of the streams, lakes, bayous, or in any body of water, including crevasses, coulees, and canals in marsh and swamp areas of the state by any means whatsoever, provided that the provisions of this Section shall not apply to water control structures or dams for the retention of water for conservation purposes.
B.(1) Except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, no obstructions including trawls, skimmer nets, butterfly nets, fyke nets, wings or leads, seines, gill nets, or trammel nets which interfere with the free passageway for fish as defined in this Section shall be set within five hundred feet of the mouth of any inlet or pass, or within five hundred feet of any water control structures, dams, or weirs, except for the purpose of retaining and removing invasive species of fish and other nongame freshwater fish of commercial value. When fishing for the purpose of retaining and removing invasive species of fish and other nongame freshwater fish of commercial value, nets are restricted to a mesh size no smaller than three and one-half inches bar. Wings and leads are permitted on hoop nets in overflowed regions where the water is out of the actual bed of the natural stream or lake but not within the restricted five-hundred-feet area.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, hoop nets set in Little River in Grant Parish and LaSalle Parish may be set closer than five hundred feet to the mouth of any inlet or pass or water control structure, dam, or weir.
C. The possession of fish caught in leads or wings is prohibited. Wings and leads on hoop nets below the saltwater line, as defined in R.S. 56:322(A), are permitted. However, the use of monofilament leads or wings shall be prohibited below the saltwater line. No pair of wings or leads shall be within one hundred feet of each other and no single lead shall exceed twenty-five feet in length.
D. "Free passageway for fish" means a minimum passageway opening of five feet in width extending from the surface to the bottom of the water in the deepest portion of the water. The use of wings and leads on nets and seines is a violation of this Section except in overflowed regions as stated above.
E. Violation of any of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class three violation.
Acts 1989, No. 247, §1, eff. June 26, 1989; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992; Acts 2007, No. 296, §1; Acts 2010, No. 746, §1; Acts 2011, No. 268, §1; Acts 2022, No. 11, §1, eff. May 13, 2022.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:330. Crawfish harvesters; crawfish traps

RS 56:330 - Crawfish harvesters; crawfish traps
A. Crawfish harvesters shall be subject to the jurisdiction and rules and regulations of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission.
B. Crawfish may be taken by properly licensed individuals with approved crawfish traps. The openings of the flues or throats on crawfish traps shall not exceed two inches.
C. The secretary may promulgate rules and regulations to effectuate the provisions of this Section.
Acts 1995, No. 543, §2; Acts 2021, No. 356, §3, eff. June 1, 2022.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:331. Crab Task Force

RS 56:331 - Crab Task Force
A. There is hereby established the Crab Task Force to advise the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission on matters pertaining to the management and development of the crab industry in Louisiana.
B. The Crab Task Force shall be composed of twenty members appointed by the secretary of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as follows:
(1) Four crab dealers or processors.
(2) Two soft shell crab producers.
(3) Seven commercial hard crab fishermen.
(4) One biologist appointed from the LSU Agricultural Center Sea Grant program.
(5) One marine biologist appointed from the faculty of a Louisiana university.
(6) One marine biologist appointed from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
(7) One enforcement agent appointed from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
(8) One attorney appointed from the LSU Sea Grant program.
(9) One fisheries economist from Louisiana State University.
(10) One economist appointed from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
C. The members listed in Paragraphs (1) through (3) of Subsection B of this Section shall be voting members. The members listed in Paragraphs (4) through (10) of Subsection B of this Section shall not vote.
D. The task force shall adopt bylaws under which it shall operate, and seven members of the task force shall constitute a quorum sufficient to conduct meetings and business of the task force. 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 the production and marketability of crabs.
E. Members of the task force shall serve without compensation.
F. The members appointed by the secretary shall as near as practicable represent diverse geographic areas according to statistical crab fishing license data. The members appointed by the secretary shall be subject to Senate confirmation.
Acts 2001, No. 57, §2, eff. May 24, 2001; Acts 2006, No. 247, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:332.1. Eel; methods of taking; licensing; marking; violation

RS 56:332.1 - Eel; methods of taking; licensing; marking; violation
A.(1) Eel may be taken for commercial purposes using eel pots, as that term is defined in R.S. 56:8, or by other legal means.
(2) Possession of a valid commercial fishing license in addition to other applicable commercial licenses authorizes the holder thereof to sell any eel taken.
B. Eel may be taken for recreational purposes using any legal recreational gear as set forth in R.S. 56:320(A). Licenses shall be as required by R.S. 56:302.1(C) for residents and nonresidents respectively.
C.(1) Each eel pot shall be attached by a nonfloating line to a visible float of at least six inches in diameter or one-half gallon volume size and the eel fishermen's license number shall be printed on the float in indelible ink.
(2) Eel pots shall be fished only in areas of the state which are south of the saltwater line as delineated by R.S. 56:322(A) and in saltwater lakes north of said saltwater line, excluding Lake Maurepas, except by permit issued by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 56:571. No eel pot shall be set in navigable channels or entrances to streams.
D. Violation of any provision of this Section constitutes a class two violation.
Acts 1986, No. 114, §1; Acts 1990, No. 497, §1; Acts 1997, No. 203, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:333.1. Mullet; freshwater areas

RS 56:333.1 - Mullet; freshwater areas
Mullet may be taken commercially by means of hoop nets in the freshwater areas of the state as described in R.S. 56:322(A). The commission in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act shall adopt rules and regulations to regulate the taking of mullet. The rules shall provide for zones, permits, fees, daily take and possession limits, and other provisions necessary to implement the provisions of this Section. The rules promulgated by the commission shall specifically provide the following:
(1) That mullet caught in the freshwater areas of the state shall not be possessed by commercial fishermen in the saltwater areas of the state.
(2) There shall be no lead nets on hoop nets used for the fishing of mullet.
(3) No hoop nets used to catch freshwater mullet shall be run at night.
(4) No mullet shall be possessed in the freshwater areas of the state between the hours of official sunset and official sunrise.
Acts 1999, No. 838, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:333.3. Live mullet; harvest for bait

RS 56:333.3 - Live mullet; harvest for bait
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.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:334.2. Freshwater fishing allowed in designated saltwater areas

RS 56:334.2 - Freshwater fishing allowed in designated saltwater areas
The saltwater angling license required in R.S. 56:302.1(C) shall not preclude a person from fishing for freshwater species of fish south of the designated saltwater line described in R.S. 56:322(A) or in saltwater lakes and bodies of water designated in R.S. 56:322(B). A person may take or possess in such designated saltwater areas, without a saltwater angling license, any freshwater species of fish in any number not otherwise prohibited by law, provided the person possesses a valid fishing license as otherwise required by law. For the purpose of enforcement, the department shall determine by rule which species of fish shall be classified as a freshwater species and which shall be classified as a saltwater species. Any person, without a valid saltwater angling license, that takes a saltwater species of fish as classified by the department from a designated saltwater area shall return such fish immediately to the waters from which taken without avoidable injury. An enforcement agent or officer of the department may inspect a fisherman's catch to insure compliance with this Section.
Acts 1986, No. 844, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:336. Penalty for violation of sport fishing provisions

RS 56:336 - Penalty for violation of sport fishing provisions
A. Whoever violates any of the sport fishing provisions of this Sub-part for which no penalty has been otherwise specifically provided shall be fined not less than $25 nor more than $100 or be imprisoned for not less than ten days nor more than sixty days, or both. For a second or subsequent conviction for the same offense, he shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $300 or be imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days, or both and any tackle used in violating the law may be disposed of by the commission on order of the court having jurisdiction thereof.
B. Upon conviction for any offense for which a penalty is provided by Subsection A hereof or by any other provision of this Sub-part, and in addition to such penalty, the court may suspend or revoke the offender's hunting and/or fishing license and any or all privileges to hunt or to fish in this state that may be granted under any law or color of law whenever, in the judgment of the court, the circumstances warrant suspension or revocation, and in such case the suspension or revocation shall be for a period not to exceed the period for which the license was issued plus one year thereafter.
Acts 1974, No. 223, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:338. Registration of vessels; application; misstatements; penalties

RS 56:338 - Registration of vessels; application; misstatements; penalties
A. Any vessel which shall be licensed or permitted to engage in commercial fishing or freighting operations for shrimp or fish of any species with any type of nets, seines, or traps in Louisiana waters which has not been registered at a customs port within the state and which fails to pay the fishing boat or net licenses fixed under this Subpart, shall not be entitled to another such license nor permitted to engage in such operations within two years thereafter.
B. Any material misstatement of fact regarding the ownership of the vessel for which application is made, supported by false affidavit, subjects the person making the affidavit to prosecution and subjects the vessel to forfeiture as provided for forfeiture of vessels and equipment in this Sub-part.
C. Violation of this Subpart constitutes a class one violation.
Acts 1974, No. 223, §1. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 837, §3.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:339. Transportation of fish to other states; reciprocity

RS 56:339 - Transportation of fish to other states; reciprocity
On and after March 1, 1951, resident and nonresident persons of Louisiana and foreign corporations are prohibited from seining for and catching menhaden or other species of fish not ordinarily used for human consumption in the inside and outside waters over which Louisiana has jurisdiction, to be transported to another state for the purpose of rendering and processing same, unless the state, to which the menhaden or other such species of fish are transported for the purpose of rendering and processing, permits citizens of Louisiana and Louisiana corporations the like privilege to seine for and catch and transport into Louisiana for the purpose of rendering and processing same, under the same conditions as provided by Louisiana law, menhaden and other like species of fish in the waters over which that state has jurisdiction.
Acts 1974, No. 223, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:347. §§347 to 353 Repealed by Acts 1985, No. 876, §4, eff. July 23, 1985.

RS 56:347 - §§347 to 353 Repealed by Acts 1985, No. 876, §4, eff. July 23, 1985.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:355. Penalty provision

RS 56:355 - Penalty provision
Penalties for violation of any provision of this Subpart shall be as prescribed in Part II of this Chapter. Violation of any provision of any Section of this Subpart shall constitute a class one violation except where a higher class of violation is specified for a violation of any provision of a particular Section.
Added by Acts 1981, No. 837, §3.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:401. Commercial seining prohibited in Lake Bruin and other lakes: penalty

RS 56:401 - Commercial seining prohibited in Lake Bruin and other lakes: penalty
No person shall seine fish for commercial purposes in Lake Bruin in the parish of Tensas and in the Fool River in the parish of Franklin. The department shall take such steps as necessary to prevent the seining of fish for commercial purposes at any time in those two areas. Violation of this Section constitutes a class two violation.
Acts 1974, No. 223, §2. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 1982, No. 746, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:402. Commercial fishing in Lake Bruin prohibited; penalty

RS 56:402 - Commercial fishing in Lake Bruin prohibited; penalty
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.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:403. Commercial seining prohibited in Clear Lake; penalty

RS 56:403 - Commercial seining prohibited in Clear Lake; penalty
No person shall seine fish for commercial purposes in Clear Lake, situated in the parish of Richland. The department shall take such steps as necessary to prevent the seining of fish for commercial purposes, at any time. Violation of this Section constitutes a class two violation.
Acts 1974, No. 223, §1. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 837, §3.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:404. Use of seines, nets, or webbing in Bogue Chitto River prohibited; logging and hand grabbing of fish in Bogue Chitto River prohibited; penalty

RS 56:404 - Use of seines, nets, or webbing in Bogue Chitto River prohibited; logging and hand grabbing of fish in Bogue Chitto River prohibited; penalty
A. The use of seines, nets, or webbing for the taking of fish in the Bogue Chitto River from where it enters the state in the northern part of Washington Parish to where it empties into Pearl River in the parish of St. Tammany, Louisiana, is prohibited.
B. The taking of fish from logs, buckets, barrels, drums, or natural or artificial nesting areas by hand grabbing shall be prohibited in the Bogue Chitto River from where it enters the state in the northern part of Washington Parish to where it empties into Pearl River in the parish of St. Tammany, Louisiana.
C. Violation of any of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class two violation.
Acts 1974, No. 223, §2; Acts 1988, No. 929, §1; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:405. Use of certain gear in Tchefuncte River and Lake Des Allemands prohibited; penalty

RS 56:405 - Use of certain gear in Tchefuncte River and Lake Des Allemands prohibited; penalty
A. The use of seines, nets, webbing or traps of any and all types, including slat traps, for the taking of fish in the Tchefuncte River or its tributaries from its origin in Washington Parish to where it empties into Lake Pontchartrain in the parish of St. Tammany, Louisiana is hereby prohibited.
B. Trawling, skimming, or butterflying north of the Louisiana Highway 631 Bridge at Des Allemands, Louisiana, and in Lake Des Allemands, its streams and tributaries is hereby prohibited.
C. Repealed by Acts 1982, No. 484, §1, eff. July 21, 1982.
D. Violation of this Section constitutes a class two violation and any seines, nets, or webbing used in violation of this law shall be confiscated.
Acts 1974, No. 223, §2. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 837, §3; Acts 2007, No. 296, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:407. Use of trammel nets, gill nets, and seines in certain areas of Lake Borgne prohibited

RS 56:407 - Use of trammel nets, gill nets, and seines in certain areas of Lake Borgne prohibited
A. No person shall use any trammel net, gill net, or seine for the taking of fish, within one-half mile of the shoreline of Grand Island, commonly known as Half Moon Island, in Lake Borgne, or within one-half mile of the shoreline of Grassy Island, in Lake Borgne.
B. Violation of any of the provisions of this Section constitutes a class two violation.
Acts 1974, No. 223, §2. Amended by Acts 1974, No. 213, §1; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:408. Lake Maurepas; trawling prohibited; nets in certain areas prohibited

RS 56:408 - Lake Maurepas; trawling prohibited; nets in certain areas prohibited
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.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:409. Saline Lake; Iatt Lake; triploid grass carp; introduction; expenditures

RS 56:409 - Saline Lake; Iatt Lake; triploid grass carp; introduction; expenditures
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Saline Lake Game and Fish Preserve Commission may introduce triploid grass carp (
Ctenopharyngodon idella
) into Saline Lake. This activity shall be done only under the direct supervision of the department and its biologists. All expenditures incurred in such activity shall be borne entirely by the Saline Lake Game and Fish Preserve Commission.
B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Grant Parish Police Jury may introduce triploid grass carp (
Ctenopharyngodon idella
) into Iatt Lake. This activity shall be done only under the direct supervision of the department and its biologists. All expenditures incurred in such activity shall be borne entirely by the Grant Parish Police Jury.
Acts 2004, No. 173, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:409.1. Penalty for the wasting of the state's fishery resources

RS 56:409.1 - Penalty for the wasting of the state's fishery resources
A. No person shall waste any fish of this state. As used in this Section, "waste" means the harvesting of any fish for commercial purposes which results in the excessive killing of such fish.
B. Any person in violation of the provisions of this Section may be subject to a civil fine by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in an amount not to exceed the fair market value of the fish wasted. The fair market value of such fish shall be based upon the prevailing wholesale price of the fish, if such price is available, or shall approximate the price which could otherwise be obtained for the fish.
C. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries shall promulgate rules and regulations to assign a fair market value to fish under its jurisdiction, determine what constitutes the excessive killing of fish, and to otherwise implement the provisions of this Section, and shall subject such rules and regulations to legislative oversight by the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment and Senate Committee on Natural Resources.
D. Civil penalties may be assessed only by a ruling of the department based on an adjudicatory hearing held in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act. No civil penalty shall be assessed under this Section for the wasting of fish the value of which is deemed by the department to be less than one thousand dollars.
E. Any proceeds from a fine imposed under this Section shall be placed in the Conservation Fund to be used for the purposes of the fund.
F. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to the taking or use of shrimp.
Acts 1986, No. 919, §1; Acts 2008, No. 580, §7.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:410. Trawling at night prohibited on White Lake and Grand Lake

RS 56:410 - Trawling at night prohibited on White Lake and Grand Lake
A. Trawling, skimming, or butterflying on White Lake in Cameron and Vermilion parishes and Grand Lake in Cameron Parish from official sunset to official sunrise is hereby prohibited.
B. Violation of this Section constitutes a class two violation.
Acts 1986, No. 748, §1; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992; Acts 2007, No. 296, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:410.1. Paratrawling prohibited in canals; penalty

RS 56:410.1 - Paratrawling prohibited in canals; penalty
No person shall paratrawl in any canal which is part of the waters of the state. Violation of this Section constitutes a class three violation.
Acts 1988, No. 574, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:410.2. Use of trammel nets, gill nets, and strike nets in Calcasieu Lake in Cameron Parish prohibited

RS 56:410.2 - Use of trammel nets, gill nets, and strike nets in Calcasieu Lake in Cameron Parish prohibited
A. No person shall set or use any trammel net, gill net, or strike net for the taking of fish in that portion of Calcasieu Lake located in Cameron Parish including that portion of the Calcasieu Ship Channel which actually adjoins Calcasieu Lake, West and East Pass of Calcasieu River, and Turner's Bay during the hours after the official sunset on Friday and before the official sunset on Sunday of each week during the period from May first through September thirtieth of each year.
B. Violation of this Section constitutes a class two violation.
Acts 1990, No. 509, §1; Acts 1992, No. 528, §1, eff. June 29, 1992; Acts 1995, No. 583, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:410.3. Sabine Lake; taking of crabs; seasons; gear; penalties

RS 56:410.3 - Sabine Lake; taking of crabs; seasons; gear; penalties
A. The commission shall establish rules regarding the times and days for the recreational and commercial taking of crabs in Sabine Lake during the inland shrimp season and may also designate the places in the lake in which crab traps or other legal gear for the taking of crabs may be used.
B. Violation of any rule or regulation adopted and promulgated by the commission in accordance with the provisions of Subsection A of this Section constitutes a class 2-B violation.
Acts 1993, No. 285, §1; Acts 2021, No. 241, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 56 - Wildlife and Fisheries › §56:410.6. Calcasieu Lake in Calcasieu Parish; use of trammel nets, gill nets, strike nets, and seines

RS 56:410.6 - Calcasieu Lake in Calcasieu Parish; use of trammel nets, gill nets, strike nets, and seines
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.