Fishing
Fishing
Fishing is a popular activity along the bayous, ponds, marshes, and lakeshore of the refuge. Many people enjoy crabbing, crawfishing, and fishing along Lake Rd., where there is shoreline fishing, a fishing pier and a free boat launch. Recreational fishing, crawfishing and crabbing are permitted from 30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset, except we allow night fishing, crabbing, and crawfishing from the bank and pier on Lake Road.
Lake Pontchartrain is an estuary, providing a mix of salinity that favors both marine and freshwater species in different places and at various times due to wind and weather. The lake, marshes, and bayous can yield bass, speckled trout, redfish, catfish, bream, sac-a-lait, and pogies.
The refuge offers two boat launches – a non-motorized launch at Sapsucker Rd. and an all purpose launch at Lake Rd. * Note: airboats, mud boats, and air-cooled propulsion engines are prohibited within the Refuge.
Recreational fishing, crawfishing and crabbing are permitted from 30 minutes before legal sunrise to 30 minutes after legal sunset, except we allow night fishing, crabbing, and crawfishing from the bank and pier on Lake Road. Recreational crabbing and fishing are allowed year-round in accordance with state of Louisiana regulations, with the following conditions: Use of trotlines, limb lines, slat traps, gar sets, hoop and gill nets or alligator lines is prohibited. You may take bait with cast nets eight-foot diameter or less. Commercial fishing and shell fishing is prohibited.
Recreational Fishing Licenses and Permits
If you’re age 18 or older, you must have a Basic Fishing License to fish recreationally in Louisiana waters. This license includes all legal means/gear for catching freshwater species.
If you’re fishing south of the saltwater line*, you must also have a Saltwater License (unless you are fishing south of the saltwater line and targeting and possessing freshwater fish only, then you only need to possess a Basic Fishing License). This license includes all legal means/gear for catching saltwater species.
Please note that if you’re fishing with a pole or hook and line without a reel and without artificial bait or any of the following: dip nets, landing nets, minnow traps, crab nets, or crab lines, you just need a Hook and Line License; no other license is required. Learn more about crabbing license requirements.
*State law has designated a saltwater line across south Louisiana; this line divides fresh and saltwater areas of the state. Louisiana has many areas where you can catch fresh and saltwater species side by side. Instead of trying to determine exactly where the saltwater line is, the best practice is to purchase the additional saltwater license if you’re fishing anywhere in south Louisiana and plan to catch any saltwater species.
You also need licenses or permits for certain activities.
Licenses are available at special rates for seniors, military, students, and people with disabilities. Lifetime licenses are also available.
You are not required to have Basic or Saltwater Fishing licenses if you are:
- A resident or nonresident under age 18 (i.e. age 17 and under)
- A resident born before June 1, 1940, who has lived in Louisiana for 6 months.
If you meet one of the above criteria, you must still have proof of age in your possession whenever fishing.
Tide Forecast
Tide Forecast
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