Do you need a fishing license in louisiana if you are over 65

RECREATIONAL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
by Jerald Horst
(Revised July 2005)

With only a few exceptions, all fishing activities in Louisiana require some sort of license. All recreational licenses, including gear licenses, expire June 30 each year. Fishermen must possess a valid original license and produce it at the request of an enforcement officer. No licenses are transferable, except for recreational gear licenses, which may be transferred to and used by anyone possessing a valid basic fishing license. Resident license requirements are as follows.

Basic Fishing License This $9.50 license allows the use of a rod and reel, bow and arrow, barbless spear (for some species), frog gig or grab, scuba gear, handline, trotlines, cast net (8 1/2-ft. radius and smaller), dip net, minnow trap, and bait seine in legally defined freshwater areas. In the legally defined saltwater areas of the state, the basic fishing license may be used to fish for and keep freshwater fish, but not saltwater species. Non-resident fees are $1 for a 1-day license, $15 for a 4-day license, and $60 for a season license.

Saltwater Angler's License This $5.50 license must be purchased to fish for and keep saltwater species of fish. This license also allows the use of cast nets of 8 1/2-ft. radius or smaller in saltwater areas. It must be purchased in addition to the basic fishing license. Non-resident fees are $15 for a 1-day license, $45 for a 4-day license and $50 for a season license.

Hook and Line License This license, also known as the cane pole license, costs $2.50. It may be purchased instead of a basic fishing license by fishermen who use only a pole without a reel and without artificial bait. It is not available for nonresidents.

Senior License Residents who reached age 60 on or after June 1, 2000 are required to purchase this $5.00 license which covers both fishing and hunting, including hunting on wildlife management areas (WMA). People who turned 60 before June 1, 2000, need no license to recreationally fish or hunt, but must possess proof of age and identity.

Louisiana Sportsmen's Paradise License This $100 license for Louisiana residents covers all recreational privileges, including gear licenses except 16-25 foot trawls) and WMA hunting.

Lifetime Licenses These are permanent licenses valid for the life of the holder and apply to saltwater as well as freshwater fishing. Lifetime licenses do not cover recreational gear license requirements. Senior lifetime licenses for people who reached 60 on or after June 1, 200 cost $50. Other lifetime licenses cost from $200 to $500 depending on the applicant's age and whether hunting is included in the license.

Active Military Hunting/Fishing License Louisiana residents on active military duty, including National Guardsmen on active duty, can purchase this $5 license. This license substitutes for the basic and saltwater fishing licenses, basic hunting, big game, bow, muzzleloader and waterfowl licenses, turkey hunting stamps and WMA hunting permits. Non-resident fees are $9.50 for basic fishing and $5.50 for saltwater fishing.

Louisiana Disabled Fishing and Saltwater Angler's Licenses Residents who are totally and permanently disabled and receiving disability retirement benefits may purchase these licenses for $2.50 each in lieu of the Basic Fishing and Saltwater Angler's licenses.

Charter passenger License Residents and non-residents who fish on a boat with a licensed saltwater charter guide may purchase this license for $5, which is valid for 3 consecutive days.

Non-Resident Charter Skiff License Non-residents fishing under the direction of a charter operation in a licensed charter skiff in saltwater areas of the state may purchase this 3-day license at a cost of $30.00. It is valid for three consecutive days.

Possession of a basic fishing license is required of anyone 16 years old or older to purchase a gear license. Anyone younger than 16 is not required to purchase or possess a gear license. No recreational gear licenses exist for wing nets, skimmers, oyster dredges, saltwater strike nets, or freshwater gill nets, trammel nets, and seines. Commercial fishing licenses are required to fish these gear types and other commercial gars not specifically licensed with recreational gear licenses. Hoop nets and wire nets (similar to hoop nets but stretched over a wire frame) may be recreationally licensed for the area north of Interstate Hwy. 12 from Ragley to the Texas state line. A single hoop net may also be used without a license by mobility-impaired residents over the age of 60 who possess valid identification.

Resident Requirements

A resident fishing license is required of any resident who fishes in the public waters of Texas.

Exceptions

A license/package is not required for the following residents:

• a person under 17 years of age.
• a person born before January 1, 1931.
• a person with an intellectual disability fishing as part
  of medically approved therapy, under the immediate supervision of personnel approved or employed by a hospital, residence, or school for persons with an intellectual disability. The person with an intellectual disability must carry an authorization identifying the entity supplying the service. This authorization may be in the form of an identification card that contains the name of the sponsoring entity; or
• a person with an intellectual disability fishing under the direct supervision of a licensed angler who is either a family member or has permission from the family to take the person fishing. While fishing, the person with an intellectual disability needs a note from a doctor stating the person has been diagnosed as having an intellectual disability.

Non-resident Requirements

A non-resident fishing license is required of all non-residents who fish in the public waters of Texas.

Exceptions

Licenses/Packages are not required for:

• non-residents under 17 years of age;
• Louisiana resident 65 years of age or older who possesses a valid Louisiana Recreational Fishing License (includes Senior Fish/Hunt License); or
• Oklahoma resident 65 years of age or older.

Requirements for Aquatic Species

A valid fishing license with a freshwater or saltwater endorsement is required of any resident who fishes or takes fish, mussels, clams, crayfish, or other aquatic life in the public waters of Texas.

A hunting license is required to take turtles and frogs.

Freshwater Packages

Includes a resident, senior resident, or non-resident fishing license valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year and a freshwater endorsement. A saltwater endorsement may also be purchased.

Senior freshwater package is available to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after January 1, 1931.

Saltwater Packages

Includes a resident, senior resident, or non-resident fishing license valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year and a saltwater endorsement with a red drum tag. A freshwater endorsement may also be purchased.

Senior saltwater package is available to any Texas resident who is at least 65 years of age and was born on or after January 1, 1931.

All-Water Packages

Includes a resident, senior resident, or non-resident fishing license, a freshwater endorsement, and a saltwater endorsement with a red drum tag.

All-water package licenses are valid from the date of sale to Aug. 31 of the same year.

All-Water Licenses

Fishing Guide Licenses

Fishing Guide Licenses are required for any person who for compensation, accompanies, assists or transports any person engaged in fishing in the waters of the state. For fees and details, see Commercial Licenses or download the Commercial Fishing Guide.

Lake Texoma License

With this license, valid until December 31 following the date of issuance, a person may fish in both the Texas and Oklahoma waters of Lake Texoma without any additional Texas or Oklahoma fishing licenses. A Texas resident 65 years of age or older does not need this license to fish in the Oklahoma portion of Lake Texoma. Lake Texoma license is valid only on Lake Texoma.

Sport Oyster Boat Licenses

Required when using a sport oyster dredge or tongs to harvest oysters recreationally. For this license only, residency is based on the boat's records. Available only at TPWD HQ or Law Enforcement offices.

The resident sport oyster boat license is for boats with a current registration in Texas, or having a current certificate of documentation from the U.S. Coast Guard that shows the owner's address is in Texas.

The non-resident sport oyster boat license is for boats with a current registration not in Texas or having a current certificate of documentation from the U.S. Coast Guard that shows the owner's address not in Texas.

Lifetime Fishing Licenses and Tags

Lifetime licenses and tags are available to Texas residents and are valid for the lifetime of the license holder.

How much is a senior lifetime fishing license in Louisiana?

How much is a non resident senior fishing license in Louisiana?

How much does a lifetime fishing license cost in Louisiana?

How many rods can you fish with in Louisiana?