The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will be opening its offices in phases beginning Friday, May 15, at its headquarters in Baton Rouge and across the state on Monday, May 18.

The Baton Rouge office, located at 2000 Quail Drive, is opening earlier to focus on the large number of customers expected to be seeking licenses for brown shrimp season, which opens May 18. Because of the volume expected to seek shrimping licenses, LDWF asks those requiring other services to wait until May 18.

The office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LDWF reminds customers they can save a trip by going online for recreational hunting and fishing licenses, boat registration renewals and commercial license renewals. For that information, visit: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/ldwf-offices-closed-to-the-public-starting-march-17

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-office customers will have to follow specific requirements to obtain services. The requirements are for the safety of both the public and the LDWF staff and are in line with Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Phase One under the White House COVID-19 guidance.

Here are the requirements at LDWF offices:

• All members of the public will have to wear a mask to enter an LDWF building.
• Limit the number of visitors to those necessary to complete transactions. All others should remain outside.
• Once inside the building, the public will receive guidance, either with a handout or verbally, concerning on site-specific instructions to follow while waiting for services.

The headquarters in Baton Rouge will have special routing and seating arrangements for the public as they wait for service on licenses, registration and other items.

Occasionally, the number seeking services may exceed the limits set on how many can be served safely because of capacity limits. In those instances, customers must remain outside and practice social distancing of at least 6 feet until they are instructed to enter.

LDWF staff will be sanitizing public areas regularly to ensure customer safety.

These reopening guidelines are in keeping with Gov. Edwards’ first phase of the Roadmap to a Resilient Louisiana, which has adopted every major recommendation of the White House plan in Phase One.

Persons experiencing COVID-like symptoms should remain at home and seek medical attention.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. LDWF receives no state general funding and depends on license sales as a major funding source.  Help us protect your hunting and fishing heritage while preserving habitat, wildlife, and aquatic resources by purchasing your license at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive email or text alerts signup here.