On June 14, Gov. John Bel Edwards signed HB 691, into law, changing fees for hunting and fishing licenses for recreational and commercial users and adding many “additional privileges” to basic licenses.
All new license fees will go into effect on June 1, 2022.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Tony Bacala (R-Ascension), brings license fees in Louisiana more in line with other southeastern states and provides much-needed funding to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Under the legislation, the cost of a basic freshwater fishing license will increase from $9.50 to $17, and a basic saltwater license will increase from $13 to $15.
Included in a basic freshwater license will be privileges for recreational wire nets, pipes/drums, cans/buckets, hoop nets, crawfish traps and slat trips, previously costing between $10 and $20.
By comparison, a similar fishing license costs $30 in Texas, $17 in Florida, $14.50 in Alabama, and $10 in Mississippi.
Included in a basic saltwater license will be privileges for recreational trawls up to 16 feet and to 25 feet, and oyster tongs. Those fees were previously $5 to $80.
By comparison, similar licensing costs $40 in Texas, $32 in Florida, $23.35 in Alabama, and $20 in Mississippi.
The LDWF recently put out a story clarifying what will be the new lifetime license structure.
Crab trap permits will continue to be sold separately for $15.
A basic hunting license will go from $15 to $20, and a big-game permit will increase from $14 to $15. However, archery and primitive firearms stamps will be included with the big-game permit. Turkey hunters and waterfowl hunters will pay $12 for their additional privilege stamps, an increase from $5.50.
For a complete breakdown of the changes to hunting and fishing licensing, visit: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
