Louisiana For-Hire/Charter Fishing Industry
Louisiana Fisheries Forward has put together a wide variety of resources to help recreational for-hire, or charter, fishermen understand basic captain requirements; license and permits (state and federal); insurance; seasons, size and possession limits; and best handling methods. The video at right is a full overview of what is required of a recreational for-hire fisherman.
We encourage all our charter captains to get involved in the management of our fishery. Stay up to date on regulations/amendments under development with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, or attend their quarterly meetings. The Louisiana Charter Boat Association is a great industry group that promotes its members and keeps them current on new and upcoming regulations. Sign up for news and alerts from LDWF, LA Sea Grant and other agencies; and attend LFF workshops and dock days for the best information on quality handling, safety, new equipment, and more. Your input is needed for us all to be successful.
As we continue to add information to this web site, visit the resource links below for more on regulations, product handling, gear and equipment, and responsible fishing practices.
Data from NOAA reveals that in 2015, the RFH fleet in Louisiana accounted for 162,000 trips valued at more than $86 million. Those fishing activities generated $50.6 million in trip-related expenditures and an additional $49.7 million in value added impact. These data are consistent with an independent survey conducted by LDWF in cooperation with LSU just five years earlier, that estimated approximately $42.6 million in economic impact came from Louisiana RFH operations in 2010 for all vessel classes
LDWF: 2023 Derelict Crab Trap Cleanup Event; Volunteers and Sponsors Needed
October 5, 2022The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will host its annual Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo volunteer cleanup event this February. LDWF encourages volunteers and sponsors to participate in these events to make the crab trap rodeos successful in 2023 and keep our Sportsman’s Paradise pristine. Volunteers Volunteers will help…
Wildlife and Fisheries Announces Stock Assessment Schedule
September 13, 2022The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is currently conducting stock assessments on important recreational and commercial fish stocks, including Redfish (Red Drum), in Louisiana state waters. Stock assessments are computer-modeled simulations of fish populations that incorporate life history metrics (age, growth, reproduction), stock abundance information (survey catch effort),…
Gulf Council Recommends Modifying Red Snapper Catch Limits
August 29, 2022The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a framework action to modify red snapper catch limits. The Council chose to decrease the overfishing limit and increase the acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits, and annual catch targets. The state specific private angling annual catch limits are calculated…
