Table of Contents Title 76 wildlife and fisheries

Title 76

WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES

Part VII. Fish and Other Aquatic Life

Chapter 1. Freshwater Sport and Commercial Fishing

§101. Lake Claiborne

A. Whereas, the Claiborne Parish Watershed District Board of Commissioners, the local regulatory body for Lake Claiborne in Claiborne Parish, passed a resolution at its meeting on March 18, 1982 requesting the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to prohibit gill, trammel and flagg nets in Claiborne Lake; and

B. whereas, Lake Claiborne does not support high poundages of commercial species nor a true commercial fisheries; and

C. whereas, the most sought after species (catfish) can be adequately harvested by methods other than netting; and

D. whereas, past research conducted by the department has demonstrated detrimental effects of gill, trammel and flagg nets on game fish species in similar type impoundments as Lake Claiborne.

E. Therefore, be it resolved, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of gill, trammel and flagg nets in Lake Claiborne, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:22.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 8:419 (August 1982).

§102. Freshwater Shrimp, Commercial Harvest

A. A properly licensed commercial fisherman may take any freshwater shrimp species in freshwater areas of the state, except in those freshwater areas of the state where commercial fishing is prohibited by law.

B. In addition to other legal methods of take as provided for in Title 56, any freshwater shrimp species may be taken with a freshwater shrimp trap.

C. A freshwater shrimp trap shall mean any device completely enclosed with an outside wire mesh not smaller than 1/4 inch, constructed with throats or flues not larger than 1 1/2 inches in diameter at their narrowest point, which is used for the sole purpose of taking freshwater shrimp in accordance with this Section. Other bait species may be taken when legally fishing a "freshwater shrimp trap." No game fish species can be taken while fishing a "freshwater shrimp trap" in accordance with this Section.

D. Violations. No person shall take or possess freshwater shrimp except as authorized by this Section. Any person found to be in violation of any provision of this Section shall be guilty of a Class 2 violation and punished in accordance with the provisions applicable to R.S. 56:32.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:501.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 31:947 (April 2005).

§103. Anacoco Lake, Lake Vernon and Anacoco Bayou

A. Whereas, the chairman of the Anacoco-Prairie State Fish and Game Commission has requested commercial nets be prohibited in Lake Vernon, Anacoco Lake, and that portion of Anacoco Bayou between the lakes, all in Vernon Parish; and

B. whereas, fish population samples taken by the district fisheries biologist indicate a very low population of commercial fish; and

C. whereas, it is evident that there are no viable commercial fisheries due to the scarcity of these commercial species.

D. Therefore, be it resolved, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of fish nets (gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets, fish seines) in Anacoco Lake, Lake Vernon and that portion of Anacoco Bayou between the two lakes, Vernon Parish, Louisiana.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:22.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 4:57 (February 1978), amended LR 7:356 (July 1981), LR 12:843 (December 1986).

§105. Caddo Lake Gear Regulations

A. Whereas, a petition containing 170 signatures of Caddo Parish residents requesting the prohibition of gill, trammel and flagg nets in Caddo Lake, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, was submitted to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission; and

B. whereas, state legislators of Caddo Parish, as a result of numerous requests from their constituents, have also asked the commission to prohibit gill, trammel, and flagg nets in Caddo Lake; and

C. whereas, the most important commercial species in Caddo Lake is catfish and is primarily harvested with hoop nets, and can still be harvested adequately using hoop nets, slat traps, and set lines; and

D. whereas, past research conducted by the department has demonstrated detrimental effects of gill, trammel, and flagg nets in game fish species in similar type impoundments as Caddo Lake.

E. Therefore, be it resolved, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of gill, trammel and flagg nets in Caddo Lake, Caddo Parish, Louisiana; and for this prohibition to become effective January l, 1983.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:22.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 8:524 (October 1982).

§106. Poverty Point Reservoir Netting Prohibition

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of freshwater trammel and gill nets in Poverty Point Reservoir, Richland Parish, Louisiana, except their use will be allowed for the legal harvest of commercial fish during a special recurring trammel and gill netting season to commence each year at sunrise on October 1 and close at sunset on the last day of February the following year.

1. Commercial fishing with certain nets will be allowed on Poverty Point Reservoir only during the above described special season and only by licensed commercial fishermen. The use of nets in Poverty Point Reservoir will be limited to gill and trammel nets greater than or having at least a minimum mesh size of 3 1/2-inch bar and 7-inch stretch.

2. Commercial fishing will be allowed during daylight hours in designated areas only except that gear can remain set overnight but fish captured shall be removed during daylight hours only.

B. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of hoop nets, wire nets and fish seines in Poverty Point Reservoir. No person shall use or possess any hoop nets, wire nets or fish seines in or on Poverty Point Reservoir. Violation of this provision shall be a class 2 violation as specified in R.S. 56:32.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:22.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 31:2569 (October 2005), amended LR 43:90 (January 2017).

§107. Nantachie Lake

A. Whereas, Nantachie Lake is a relatively small impoundment (1,500 acres) utilized primarily by recreational fishermen who seek largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill; and

B. whereas, the commercial fish population in the lake is extremely low and presently cannot and does not support a commercial fisheries; and

C. whereas, past studies have demonstrated detrimental effects that can occur on game fish populations with the use of commercial fish netting in small impoundments such as Nantachie Lake; and

D. whereas, the Grant Parish Police Jury and the Nantachie Lake Commission have requested the removal of netting.

E. Therefore, be it resolved, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of netting in Nantachie Lake, Grant Parish, Louisiana.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:22.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 9:486 (July 1983).

§108. Promotion of Youth Fishing

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of LAC 76:VII.165 and 189, anglers below 16 years of age shall be allowed to possess black bass below the minimum length limit in accordance with the following provisions.

1. The areas where the length limit will be suspended are the Atchafalaya Basin, Lake Verret-Palourde Area and the Lake Fausse Point-Dauterive Area, as defined in
LAC 76:VII.165 and 189, respectively.

2. The dates of the suspension shall be Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, 2008 and Labor Day weekend, August 30-September 1, 2008.

3. The suspension shall be effective from sunrise on each opening day extending until midnight on each closing day.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:326.1.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 34:706 (April 2008).

§109. Toledo Bend Gear Regulations

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of gill nets, trammel nets, flagg webbing and fish seines in the Louisiana portion of Toledo Bend Reservoir located in Sabine and DeSoto Parishes, Louisiana; and, hoop nets are prohibited during March 1 through May 15 each year only in that portion of Toledo Bend Reservoir from a point north of Logansport where the lake enters Texas, and south to a point on the lake where the Texas Duck Refuge Canal intersects the old channel of the Sabine River.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:22.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 7:448 (September 1981), amended LR 9:692 (October 1983), LR 12:603 (September 1986).

§110. Texas Border Waters Recreational Creel, Size, and Possession Limits

A. Purpose

1. Pursuant to Louisiana Revised Statute 56:673 and the July 1, 2010 memorandum of understanding between Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Texas Parks and Wildlife, the commission hereby ratifies and enters into an agreement with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to establish uniform and reciprocal regulations for the recreational harvest of freshwater game fish on the waters of the Louisiana-Texas boundary, specifically Toledo Bend Reservoir, Caddo Lake, and the Sabine River. Those regulations are as follows.

B. Toledo Bend Reservoir

1. The recreational daily creel limit (daily take) for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) is set at eight fish, in aggregate. The minimum total length limit for largemouth bass (M. salmoides) is 14 inches. There is no minimum length limit on spotted bass. For enforcement purposes, a spotted bass shall be defined as a black bass with a tooth patch on its tongue.

2. The daily creel limit for white bass (Morone chrysops) is 25 fish and there is no minimum length limit.

3. There is no limit on the daily take of yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis).

4. The recreational daily creel limit for black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) is set at 25 fish, in the aggregate, and there is no minimum length limit.

5. The recreational daily creel limit for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is set at 50 fish in the aggregate, there is no minimum length limit and not more than 5 fish may exceed 30 inches in total length.

6. The recreational daily creel limit for flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) is set at 10 fish. The minimum length limit is 18 inches.

C. Caddo Lake

1. Harvest regulations for black bass (largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides and spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus) on Caddo Lake are as follows.

a. Largemouth Bass Size Limits—14-18inch slot. A 14-18 inch slot limit means that it is illegal to keep or possess a largemouth bass whose maximum total length is between 14 inches and 18 inches, both measurements inclusive.

b. Spotted Bass Size Limits—no minimum length limit. For enforcement purposes, a spotted bass shall be defined as a black bass with a tooth patch on its tongue.

c. The daily creel limit (daily take) for black bass (Micropterus spp.) is set at 8 fish, in the aggregate, of which no more than 4 largemouth bass may exceed 18 inches maximum total length.

2. The daily creel limit for white bass (Morone chrysops) is 25 fish and there is no minimum length limit.

3. There is no daily creel limit on yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis), and there is no minimum length limit.

4. The recreational daily creel limit for black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) is set at 25 fish, in the aggregate, and there is no minimum length limit.

5. The recreational daily creel limit for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is set at 50 fish in the aggregate, there is no minimum length limit and not more than 5 fish may exceed 30 inches in total length.

6. The recreational daily creel limit for flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) is set at 10 fish. The minimum length limit is 18 inches.

D. Sabine River

1. Harvest regulations for black basses (largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides and spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus) on the Sabine River are as follows:

a. The river proper from Toledo Bend Dam downstream to the Interstate 10 bridge the minimum length limit for largemouth bass (M. salmoides) is 12 inches.

b. The river proper upstream from Toledo Bend Reservoir to the point at which the entire river enters Texas as marked by state line sign the minimum length limit for largemouth bass (M. salmoides) is 14 inches.

c. The recreational daily creel limit (daily take) for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) is set at eight fish, in aggregate. There is no minimum length limit on spotted bass. For enforcement purposes, a spotted bass shall be defined as a black bass with a tooth patch on its tongue.

2. For purposes of this section, the Sabine River shall be defined as the river proper from the Toledo Bend Dam downstream to the Interstate 10 bridge and the river proper upstream from Toledo Bend Reservoir to the point at which the entire river enters Texas as marked by state line sign.

a. The daily creel limit for striped bass (Morone saxatilis) is set at 5 fish. There is no minimum length limit and only 2 fish may be over 30 inches in total length.

b. The daily creel limit for white bass (Morone chrysops) is 25 fish and there is no minimum length limit.

c. There is no daily creel limit on yellow bass (Morone mississippiensis), and there is no minimum length limit.

d. The recreational daily creel limit for black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) and white crappie (Pomoxis annularis) is set at 25 fish, in the aggregate, and there is no minimum length limit.

e. The recreational daily creel limit for channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) is set at 50 fish in the aggregate, there is no minimum length limit and not more than 5 fish may exceed 30 inches in total length.

f. The recreational daily creel limit for flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) is set at 10 fish. The minimum length limit is 18 inches.

E. Daily Possession Limit: Toledo Bend Reservoir, Caddo Lake, and the Sabine River

1. The following possession limits apply to all persons while on the waters of Toledo Bend Reservoir, Caddo Lake, or the Sabine River. No person shall possess any species of fish in excess of a one day creel limit. No person shall at any time possess in excess of the daily creel limit of any species, except that a two day creel limit may be possessed on the land, if the fish were caught on more than one day and no daily creel limits were exceeded. No person shall possess any fillets of any fish species while on the water.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:6(25)(a), R.S. 56:325(C), R.S. 56:326.3, and R.S. 56:673.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 14:548 (August 1988), amended LR 17:278 (March 1991), LR 17:1123 (November 1991), LR 19:790 (June 1993), LR 23:999 (August 1997), LR 31:948 (April 2005), LR 37:2439 (August 2011), LR 40:802 (April 2014), LR 42:1694 (October 2016).

§111. D'Arbonne Lake

A. Whereas, the Bayou D'Arbonne Lake Watershed District Commission, the local regulatory body for D'Arbonne Lake passed a resolution at its meeting on February 7, 1984 prohibiting trammel nets, gill nets, flagg nets, and fish seines in D'Arbonne Lake effective June l, 1984, and subsequently have requested the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to ratify said resolution; and

B. whereas, studies conducted by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on D'Arbonne Lake have demonstrated the detrimental effects the use of certain types of commercial fish nets have on game fish populations; and

C. whereas, D'Arbonne Lake does not support high poundage of commercial species nor a true commercial fisheries; and

D. whereas, the most sought after commercial species, catfish (flathead), can still be harvested adequately using hoop nets, slat traps, trot lines, limb lines, and stump lines.

E. Therefore be it resolved, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of gill nets, trammel nets, flagg nets and fish seines in D'Arbonne Lake (Union and Lincoln Parishes) and includes all areas between the spillway structure and Gill's Ferry Landing on D'Arbonne Creek and Hogpen Landing on Corney Creek.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:22.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 10:470 (June 1984).

§112. Prohibit the Use and Possession of Gill Nets and Trammel Nets; Prohibit the Taking of Grass Carp

A. No person shall use or possess any gill net or trammel net in the areas designated below as restricted areas. No person shall take or sell any fish taken with the prohibited gear. Additionally, no person shall take or possess any grass carp within the restricted areas.

1. Restricted areas:

a. Spring Bayou Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Avoyelles Parish;

b. Old River, Avoyelles Parish;

c. Little River, Avoyelles Parish.

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

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:21, R.S. 56:22.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 34:886 (May 2008).

§115. Hybrid Bass

A. Whereas, 45,000 hybrid (white bass-striped bass) bass fingerlings were stocked in False River, Pointe Coupee Parish, in May 1975; and

B. whereas, these fish though not likely to reproduce, have the potential of reaching 15-20 pounds, feeding primarily on gizzard shad which are very numerous in the lake; and

C. whereas, these hybrids now average 10 inches in length and are being caught in large numbers by sports fishermen;

D. therefore be it resolved, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby imposes the establishment of a statewide two fish daily, four fish possession limit on hybrid bass.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:327.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 2:45 (January 1976).

§116. Lake Lafourche

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby adopts the following regulations applicable to the use of yo-yo’s and trigger devices when used in Lake Lafourche in Caldwell Parish.

1. No more than 50 yo-yos or trigger devices shall be allowed per person.

2. Except for those devices that are attached to a privately owned pier, boathouse, seawall, or dock, each yo-yo or trigger device shall be clearly tagged with the name, address, and telephone number of the owner or user.

3. When in use, each yo-yo or trigger device shall be checked at least once every 24 hours, and all fish and any other animal caught or hooked, shall be immediately removed from the device.

4. Except for those devices that are attached to a privately owned pier, boathouse, seawall, or dock, each yo-yo or trigger device must be re-baited at least once every 24 hours.

5. Except for those metal objects located above the water that are affixed to a private pier, dock, houseboat, or other manmade structure which is designed for fishing, no yo-yo or trigger device shall be attached to any metal object.

6. Except for a metal object used strictly in the construction of a pier, boathouse, seawall, or dock, no metal object which is driven into the lake bottom, a stump, tree, or the shoreline shall be used to anchor a yo-yo or trigger device.

7. Except for those devices that are attached to a privately owned pier, boathouse, seawall, or dock, when not being used in accordance with the provisions of this Paragraph, each yo-yo or trigger device shall be removed from the waterbody immediately.

B. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby adopts the following regulations applicable to the use of trotlines when used in Lake Lafourche in Caldwell Parish.

1. All trotlines shall be clearly tagged with the name, address, and phone number of the owner or user and the date of placement. The trotline shall be marked on each end with a floating object that is readily visible.

2. At any given time, no person shall set more than three trotlines with a maximum of 50 hooks each.

3. All trotlines shall have an eight foot cotton leader on each end of the trotline.

4. Except for those metal objects located above the water that are affixed to a private pier, dock, houseboat, or other manmade structure which is designed for fishing, no trotline shall be attached to any metallic object.

5. Each trotline shall be attended daily when in service.

6. When not in use, each trotline shall be removed from the waterbody by the owner or user.

C. A violation of any of the provisions of this Section shall be a class one violation, except there shall be no imprisonment. In addition, any device found in violation of this Section shall be immediately seized by and forfeited to the department.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:326.3 and 56:6(32).

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 37:355 (January 2011).

§117. Channel Catfish Size Limit

A. Whereas, the existence of high populations of channel catfish in certain areas of Southeastern Louisiana is well documented; and

B. whereas, fish population data from these areas show that the vast majority of channel catfish are less than
11 inches total length; and

C. whereas, biological data indicate that channel catfish in these areas are stunted, relatively short for their age, and frequently found to be sexually mature well below 11 inches total length; and

D. whereas, commercial fishermen in these areas have developed markets for "short" catfish and whose catch of channel catfish is largely dependent on channel catfish that are shorter than 11 inches minimum total length; and

E. whereas, the minimum length of 11 inches has been removed on channel catfish in these areas since 1981 and no detrimental effects have been observed; and

F. whereas, Act 273 of the 1984 Louisiana Legislature authorizes the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to suspend or reduce by resolution the legal size limit on channel catfish in those areas of the state where biological data indicates that such a suspension or reduction in the size limit would not be detrimental to the resource.

G. Therefore, be it resolved, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby suspends, for a five-year period from January l, 1985 to January 1, 1990, the minimum size length limit on channel catfish in that portion of Southeastern Louisiana, containing Lac des Allemands, Lake Salvador, Lake Cataouatche, Lake Maurepas, the western portion of Lake Pontchartrain and associated bayous and streams, excluding the Mississippi River and Bayou LaFourche, herein described as:

a. west and south of the west descending bank of the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico to the Huey P. Long Bridge; north and west of Highway 90 from Huey P. Long Bridge to Causeway Boulevard; west of Lake Pontchartrain Causeway from U.S. Highway 90 to LA Highway 22; south and east of LA Highway 22 to U.S. Highway 61 at Sorrento; north of U.S. 61 from Sorrento to LA Highway 20; east of LA Highway 20 to the east descending bank of Bayou LaFourche at Thibodaux; east of the east descending bank of Bayou Lafourche to LA Highway 1 at Leeville; east and north of LA Highway 1 from Leeville to the Gulf of Mexico; north of the Gulf of Mexico from Grand Isle to the west descending bank of the Mississippi River.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance R.S. 56:326.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 11:127 (February 1985).