Table of Contents Title 76 wildlife and fisheries

§119. Prohibition of Netting in Bundick Lake

A. Whereas, Bundick Lake is a relatively small impoundment of approximately 1,700 acres, with an average depth of about 5 feet making game fish populations extremely vulnerable to netting; and

B. whereas, commercial fish populations are very low except for a moderate catfish population which is harvested primarily and adequately with slat traps and trotlines.

C. Therefore be it resolved, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of netting in Bundick Lake, Beauregard 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 8:651 (December 1982).

§121. Fish Allowed South of the Saltwater Line

A. In accordance with the provisions of Acts 844 and 904 adopted by the Louisiana Legislature during the 1986 regular session, the following list of fish may be taken south of the saltwater line as described in R.S. 56:322.A. by recreational fishermen without the purchase of a saltwater angling license.

B. This list in no way implies biological preference, distribution or requirements for the listed fish.

Family Name	Sturgeon Name	Example
Acipenseridae	Sturgeon Family	Atlantic Sturgeon
Polyodontidae	Paddlefish Family	Paddlefish
Lepisosteidae	Gar Family	Gars
Amidae	Bowfin Family	Bowfin
Cyprinidae	Minnow Family	Carp, etc.
Catostomidae	Sucker Family	Smallmouth buffalo Bigmouth buffalo Black buffalo, etc.
Ictaluridae	Freshwater Catfish Family	Blue catfish Channel catfish Flathead catfish, etc.
Percichthyidae	Temperate Bass Family	White bass Yellow bass Striped bass Hybrid striped bass
Centrarchidae	Sunfish Family	Warmouth Bluegill Largemouth bass White crappie Black crappie, etc.
Sciaenidae	Drum Family	*Freshwater drum
* Only member of family Sciaenidae considered freshwater.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:322.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 12:844 (December 1986).

§125. Lake Bruin

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby establishes and permits a special recurring commercial fishing season, allowing the use of certain nets and slat traps, in Lake Bruin, Tensas Parish, Louisiana. The season will 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 and slat traps will be allowed on Lake Bruin only during the above described special season and only by licensed commercial fishermen who must also obtain a Lake Bruin commercial fishing permit from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The permit will be issued at no cost on a seasonal basis and must be renewed for each season. The permittee must also file a report to the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries of his catch that is postmarked not later than 15 days after the close of that season. The use of nets in Lake Bruin will be limited to gill and trammel nets greater than or having at least a minimum mesh of 3 1/2-inch bar and 7-inch stretch.

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

3. Failure to comply with the terms of the special permit or of any Louisiana commercial fishing regulations shall result in immediate cancellation of the permit for the remainder of the current season.

4. Failure to submit a timely report for a particular year's commercial fishing season shall result in the denial of a permit for the next year. If a report is eventually received after the deadline period for a particular year, the applicant may get a permit after skipping a year, however, if no report is ever filed, no permit for any subsequent year will be considered.

5. Applicants with a citation(s) pending for three years or less, which is a class 2 fish or game violation(s) or greater shall be denied a permit until such time as the applicant appears before department officials for the purpose of reviewing the citation(s) issued. The secretary, after reviewing the proceedings, may issue or deny the permit.

6. Permits shall not be issued to any applicant who within three years of the date of his/her application, has been convicted or pled guilty to a class 2 fish or game violation or greater, as defined in the laws pertaining to wildlife and fisheries.

7. Applicants convicted of, or pleading guilty to two or more class 2 fish or game violations or greater within five years of the application date shall not receive a permit.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance R.S. 56:22, 56:326.3 and R.S. 56:402.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 13:502 (September 1987), amended LR 18:294 (March 1992), LR 40:548 (March 2014), LR 40:1946 (October 2014).

§133. Black Lake and Clear Lake Ban

A. Pursuant to the authority granted under R.S. 56:22 the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of gill and trammel nets in Black Lake and Clear Lake in Natchitoches and Red River Parishes. The band extends from January 1, 1989 to December 30, 1990.

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 15:15 (January 1989).

§134. Black Lake, Clear Lake, Prairie Lake, Caddo Lake, Chicot Lake, D'Arbonne Lake, and Lake St. Joseph

A. The following regulations are applicable to the use of yo-yo and trigger devices when used in Black Lake, Clear Lake and Prairie Lake (Natchitoches Parish), Caddo Lake (Caddo Parish), Chicot Lake (Evangeline Parish), D'Arbonne Lake (Union Parish), and Lake St. Joseph (Tensas Parish), Louisiana.

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 an object used strictly in the construction of a pier, boathouse, seawall, or dock, no 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.

Objectrebar or other metal material, cane, PVC tubing, construction material, or any other type of material.

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 Section, each yo-yo or trigger device shall be removed from the waterbody immediately.

B. The following regulations are applicable to the use of trotlines when used in Black Lake, Clear Lake and Prairie Lake (Natchitoches Parish), Caddo Lake (Caddo Parish), Chicot Lake (Evangeline Parish), D'Arbonne Lake (Union Parish), and Lake St. Joseph (Tensas Parish), Louisiana.

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 Paragraph 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 38:2567 (October 2012), amended LR 39:3101 (November 2013).

§135. Lake Bistineau Netting Prohibition

A. Pursuant to the authority granted under R.S. 56:22, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of fish nets (gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets, fish seines) in Lake Bistineau, Bienville, Bossier, and Webster Parishes, Louisiana. The net ban will become effective August 1, 1989.

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 3:347 (August 1977), amended LR 15:554 (July 1989).

§137. Paddlefish

A. The incidental take and possession of paddlefish (Polyodon spathula), commonly called spoonbill catfish, shall be regulated by the following provisions. Paddlefish as referred herein shall include roe and any parts thereof.

1. Properly licensed recreational fishermen using legal recreational gear may take paddlefish as per the following provisions. No person shall take or possess paddlefish in violation of any of the provisions herein.

a. Area―the taking or possession of paddlefish is closed in all saltwater areas of the state and in border waters shared with Texas.

b. All possessed paddlefish must be dead. The possession or transportation of live paddlefish is prohibited.

c. All paddlefish possessed on the waters of the state shall be maintained intact.

d. No person shall possess paddlefish eggs on the waters of the state which are not fully attached to the fish.

e. Daily Take and Possession Limit―the daily take and possession limit of paddlefish is two per person.

f. Maximum Size Limit―all paddlefish greater than 30 inches (lower jaw fork length) must be returned to the water immediately. Lower jaw fork length is the distance from the tip of the lower jaw to the mid-line of the caudal fin.

2. The commercial take and possession of paddlefish is prohibited. No person shall purchase, sell, barter, exchange or trade or attempt to purchase, sell, barter or trade paddlefish, their eggs or parts thereof.

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

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 12:368 (June 1986), LR 15:868 (October 1989), amended by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Office of Fisheries, LR 18:978 (September 1992), amended by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 33:865 (May 2007).

§139. Lacassine Bayou Netting Season

A. Lacassine Bayou-Netting Season. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of trammel nets, gill nets and hoop nets during the period of March 1 through November 30 each year in that part of Lacassine Bayou that flows through the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge, Cameron Parish, Louisiana. This closure has been requested by the Fish and Wildlife Service who has management responsibility of the refuge.

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 11:982 (October 1985).

§141. Caney Creek Reservoir Netting Prohibition

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of fish nets (gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets, fish seines) in Caney Creek Reservoir, Jackson Parish, Chatham, 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 12:603 (September 1986).

§143. Cross Lake Netting Prohibition

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of fish nets (gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets, fish seines) in Cross Lake, Caddo Parish, Shreveport, 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 12:603 (September 1986).

§145. Sturgeon

A. The taking or possession of Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrhynchus; Pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus; shovelnose sturgeon, S. platorynchus; or their body parts or eggs (roe) is prohibited.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:317.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 16:421 (May 1990), amended by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Office of Fisheries, LR 19:511 (April 1993).

§147. Daily Take and Possession Limits for Freshwater Trout

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby establishes a daily take and possession limit of five fish for freshwater trout, Salvelinus spp. Salmo spp., taken in waters designated as being part of the department's Freshwater Trout Program.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:6, 56:326.3 and Act 376 of 1990 Legislative Session.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 17:78 (January 1991).

§149. Black Bass RegulationsDaily Take, Size Limits, and Possession Limits

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission establishes a statewide daily take (creel limit) of 10 fish for black bass (Micropterus spp.). The possession limit shall be the same as the daily take on water and twice the daily take off water.

B. In addition, the commission establishes special size, daily take, and possession regulations for black bass on the following water bodies:

1. Caney Creek Reservoir (Jackson Parish):

a. size limit―15-inch to 19-inch slot. A 15 to 19-inch slot limit means that it is illegal to keep or possess a black bass whose maximum total length is between 15 inches and 19 inches, both measurements inclusive;

b. daily take―8 fish of which no more than 2 fish may exceed 19 inches maximum total length;*

c. possession limit:

i. on water―same as daily take;

ii. off water―twice the daily take;

2. John K. Kelly-Grand Bayou Reservoir (Red River Parish):

a. size limit―14-inch to 17-inch slot. A 14-to 17-inch slot limit means that it is illegal to keep or possess a black bass whose maximum total length is between 14 inches and 17 inches, both measurements inclusive;

b. daily take―eight fish of which no more than four fish may exceed 17 inches maximum total length;*

c. possession limit:

i. on water―same as daily take;

ii. off water―twice the daily take;

3. False River (Pointe Coupee Parish):

a. size limit―14-inch minimum size limit;

b. daily take―5 fish;

c. possession limit:

i. on water―same as daily take;

ii. off water―twice the daily take;

4. Poverty Point Reservoir (Richland Parish):

a. size limit―15 inch-19inch slot. A 15-19 inch slot limit means that it is illegal to keep or possess a black bass whose maximum total length is between 15 inches and 19 inches, both measured inclusive;

b. daily take―8 fish with only one fish over 19 inches per person:

i. on water possession―same as daily limit per person;

5. Louisiana-Texas Border Waters—Toledo Bend Reservoir, Caddo Lake, and Sabine River:

a. the size, daily take, and possession limits for black bass for water bodies located on the Louisiana-Texas border (Toledo Bend Reservoir, Caddo Lake and the Sabine River) are established in §110 of this Chapter.

*Maximum total length—the distance in a straight line from the tip of the snout to the most posterior point of the depressed caudal fin as measured with mouth closed on a flat surface.

6. Reserved.

7. below U.S. Highway 90 in Louisiana.

a. The possession limit shall be equal to the daily take limit for the number of consecutive days up to three days that a fisherman has been actively on the water or at a remote camp that can only be accessed by water provided the fisherman is in compliance with the following requirements.

i. The fisherman holds and is in possession of a current basic recreational fishing license.

ii. The fisherman is in possession of a landing receipt from a public boat landing located south of U.S. Highway 90 that demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the department, the number of consecutive days the fisherman has been on the water or at a remote camp that can only be accessed by water.

iii. The fish are kept whole or whole gutted in separate bags for each daily take limit. The bags are marked with the date fish were taken, the species and number of fish contained in the bag, and the name and recreational fishing license number of the person taking the fish.

iv. The fisherman is only in possession of his or her fish and shall not transport fish taken by another person back to the boat landing.

v. The fisherman is not in possession of more than the daily take limit on the water while engaged in or actively fishing.

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:14:364 (June 1988), amended LR 17:277 (March 1991), repromulgated LR 17:488 (May 1991), amended LR 17:1122 (November 1991), LR 20:796 (July 1994), LR 23:1168 (September 1997), LR 24:505 (March 1998), LR 26:97 (January 2000), LR 28:104 (January 2002), LR 29:373 (March 2003), LR 30:2339 (October 2004), repromulgated LR 30:2495 (November 2004), amended LR 37:2440 (August 2011), LR 39:1833 (July 2013), LR 40:803 (April 2014), LR 40:1558 (August 2014).

§151. Free Recreational Fishing Days

A. In accordance with Act 301 of the 1987 Louisiana Legislature, the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has declared the weekend of the first full week of June each year as Free Recreational Fishing Days in Louisiana to coincide with National Fishing Week each year. On the two above mentioned free fishing days, residents and nonresidents may exercise the privilege of a licensed recreational fisherman without purchase of any otherwise necessary recreational fishing license.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 56:302.7.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 17:389 (April 1991).

§153. Bowfin Minimum Size Regulation

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby:

1. establishes a statewide 22-inch minimum size limit on bowfin (Amia calva) harvested for commercial purposes;

2. prohibits commercial fishermen, while on the water, from possessing bowfin eggs that are not naturally connected to a whole fish.

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

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 17:975 (October 1991).

§155. Netting Prohibition―Bartholomew Lake

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of gill nets, trammel nets, hoop nets and fish seines in Bartholomew Lake located in Ouachita and Morehouse Parishes, Louisiana. Said netting ban will become effective Friday, September 20, 1991.

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

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 17:894 (September 1991).

§157. Netting Prohibition―Lake Concordia

A. The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission hereby prohibits the use of gill nets, trammel nets and fish seines in Lake Concordia located in Concordia Parish, Louisiana. Said netting ban will become effective Friday, September 20, 1991.

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

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 17:894 (September 1991), amended LR 38:1732 (July 2012).

§158. False River, Trammel Nets, Gill Nets and Fish Seines

A. Prohibits the use of trammel and gill nets in False River, Pointe Coupee 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. The use of fish seines is prohibited and there is no season.

B. The trammel and gill nets allowed during the special recurring season shall have a minimum mesh size of 3 1/2” square (7” stretched) or greater.

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

D. Commercial fishing with trammel and gill nets will be allowed on False River Lake only during the open season and only by licensed commercial fishermen.

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

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, LR 38:1732 (July 2012), amended LR 40:1947 (October 2014).