Louisiana is known as the Sportsman’s Paradise, and for good reason — its coastal marshes, saltwater bays, and Gulf of America waters teem with fish. But if you plan to spearfish in the Bayou State, you need to understand one thing immediately: spearfishing here is far more restricted than in most other coastal states.
State law under Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 56 draws a hard line between what is allowed and what is not, and the rules differ sharply depending on whether you are in freshwater or saltwater. Getting it wrong can mean fines, license revocation, and criminal charges. This guide breaks down exactly what the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) requires so you can plan your dive with confidence.
Is Spearfishing Legal in Louisiana?
Spearfishing is legal in Louisiana — but only under very specific conditions. Freshwater and saltwater recreational fish may be taken using standard spearing equipment by a skin diver sport fishing in saltwater or freshwater when submerged in the water, with the only additional exception being a barbless spear or a multi-pronged barbed gig that may be used in saltwater for taking flounder.
That language from Louisiana Revised Statutes § 56:320 sets the foundation: you must be submerged, and you must use standard spearing equipment. No person shall take or possess fish taken by means of spears except a barbless spear or a multi-pronged barbed gig that may be used in salt water for taking flounder. In other words, spearing from above the surface — or using prohibited devices — is never legal.
Important Note: Louisiana’s spearfishing rules are among the most restrictive in the Gulf South. Always verify current regulations directly with the LDWF before your trip, as rules can change through emergency declarations.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater Spearfishing Rules in Louisiana
The single most important distinction in Louisiana spearfishing law is the saltwater line — a state-designated boundary that cuts across south Louisiana and separates freshwater from saltwater areas. Louisiana state law has designated a saltwater line across south Louisiana that divides fresh and saltwater areas of the state. Louisiana has many areas where you can catch fresh and saltwater species side by side, so 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.
All areas south of the saltwater line, plus saltwater lakes including Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchartrain, Lake St. Catherine, Chef Menteur Pass, the Rigolets, Unknown Pass, Pass Manchac, the Intracoastal, and the Calcasieu Ship Channel from the Intracoastal Waterway south to the Gulf of America, are designated as saltwater areas.
Here is how the rules break down by water type:
| Water Type | Spearfishing Allowed? | Legal Target Species | Key Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater (rivers, lakes, bayous) | Extremely limited | Garfish only with spear; no game fish | Game fish are fully prohibited from spearing |
| Saltwater (south of saltwater line, Gulf) | Yes, with conditions | Non-game saltwater finfish; flounder (gig/barbless spear) | Must be submerged; no saltwater game fish |
In freshwater, garfish may be taken by means of spears and bows and arrows, but that is essentially the only spearfishing exception. All freshwater game fish — bass, crappie, catfish, and similar species — are off limits to spearing. In saltwater, a skin diver may take non-game finfish while submerged, and flounder may be taken with a barbless spear or multi-pronged barbed gig.
If you are planning a saltwater spearfishing trip in Louisiana and want to compare the rules to a neighboring state, see our guide to spearfishing laws in Florida for a useful contrast.
License and Permit Requirements for Spearfishing in Louisiana
You cannot enter the water with a spear in Louisiana without the correct paperwork. All anglers 18 years of age and older fishing in freshwater must possess a valid Basic Recreational Fishing License, a Hook and Line License, or one of the other licenses that covers these activities such as the LA Sportsman’s Paradise, Senior Hunt/Fish, Disabled Hunt/Fish, or Disabled Veterans Hunt/Fish license.
For saltwater spearfishing, Title 56 requires that all recreational anglers fishing south of the saltwater line for saltwater species have in their possession a Louisiana saltwater angler’s license in addition to a basic Louisiana fishing license, except those persons otherwise exempted.
Here is a quick breakdown of the licenses most spearfishers need:
- Basic Recreational Fishing License — required for all freshwater and saltwater fishing activity for anyone 18 and older
- Saltwater Fishing License — required in addition to the Basic license when fishing south of the saltwater line for saltwater species
- Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) — required to possess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, snappers, groupers, hinds, cobia, wahoo, gray triggerfish, and dolphinfish in Louisiana waters for recreational fishermen aged 18 and older who are not on a paid for-hire charter trip
- Federal HMS Angling Permit — required for recreational vessels fishing for any federally regulated highly migratory species including Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish, white and blue marlin, sailfish, and spearfish
Annual recreational fishing licenses are valid from the date of purchase and one year (365 days) from the date of purchase. Licenses are available online through the LDWF licensing portal, at LDWF headquarters in Baton Rouge, and at many local retailers. Licenses are available at special rates for seniors, military, students, and people with disabilities.
Children under 18 are exempt from license requirements. A resident born before June 1, 1940, who has lived in Louisiana for 6 months must have a copy of their free senior license in their possession.
Pro Tip: If you fish anywhere in south Louisiana and plan to target saltwater species, buy both the Basic and Saltwater licenses at the same time. Determining exactly where the saltwater line falls can be difficult in the field, and having both licenses protects you from an inadvertent violation.
Legal Species and Prohibited Species for Spearfishing in Louisiana
Louisiana’s spearfishing rules are built around one core concept: game fish are protected from spearing. With the exception of freshwater game fish, the only legal method for a skin diver to take fish is when submerged in water using standard spearing equipment. That means your target must be a non-game saltwater finfish if you are diving in saltwater.
The one notable exception for surface-level gear use is flounder. A barbless spear or multi-pronged barbed gig may be used in saltwater for taking flounder only; harvest of any other saltwater game fish species by this method is prohibited. Southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma) is a popular target for gigging in Louisiana’s coastal shallows, particularly at night using lights in shallow marsh areas.
In freshwater, the rules are even more restrictive. Garfish — including the alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula), a prehistoric species native to Louisiana’s rivers — may be taken with spears. All freshwater game fish are fully off limits to spearing under any circumstances.
The federally listed threatened and endangered, or prohibited species listed below are off limits for recreational take. Civil and criminal penalties may apply for taking the following aquatic species. These include protected marine mammals, sea turtles, and any species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. You must also comply with federal rules when diving in federal waters offshore.
For a comparison of how other states handle protected species in spearfishing, see our coverage of spearfishing laws in Virginia and spearfishing laws in Michigan.
Gear Restrictions for Spearfishing in Louisiana
Louisiana law is precise about what gear is and is not legal. Recreational fish may be taken using standard spearing equipment by a skin diver sport fishing in saltwater or freshwater when submerged in the water, or a barbless spear or a multi-pronged barbed gig that may be used in saltwater for taking flounder. Everything else is prohibited.
What counts as “standard spearing equipment” under Louisiana law generally means a handheld spear, pole spear, or speargun used while fully submerged. The statute does not authorize shooting from the surface, from a boat, or from any elevated position.
The following are explicitly prohibited under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 56:320:
- Spears used from above the water surface
- Poisons and stupefying substances
- Explosives of any kind
- Guns (firearms)
- Electricity or electric shocking devices
- Lead nets and tree-topping devices
- Any barbed spear in freshwater (garfish excepted with appropriate gear)
You may not use any aircraft including fixed-wing, dirigibles, balloons, helicopters, drones, or any other form of aerial surveillance to assist in harvesting finfish, except menhaden and herring-like fish. This rule applies to spearfishing as well — using a drone to scout fish before a dive is illegal.
Key Insight: SCUBA gear is not explicitly banned for spearfishing in Louisiana, but the Louisiana State Legislature under R.S. 56:320(E) notes that the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission may provide rules for taking game fish with SCUBA gear. In practice, spearfishing game fish with SCUBA remains prohibited. Always confirm with LDWF before diving with a tank.
Bowfishing is a separate activity governed by its own permit rules. A Bowfishing Permit is required for anglers aged 18 years and older taking or attempting to take saltwater recreational fish with bowfishing gear or engaging in bowfishing activity south of the designated saltwater line. Anglers under the age of 18 years and anglers on a charter boat as clients are not required to have a Bowfishing Permit. Bowfishing and spearfishing are treated as distinct methods under Louisiana law.
Curious how gear rules compare in nearby states? See our guides on spearfishing laws in Ohio and spearfishing laws in Indiana.
Off-Limits Areas and No-Spearfishing Zones in Louisiana
Even where spearfishing is otherwise legal, certain areas are closed to all forms of take. Louisiana’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) have their own seasonal and gear restrictions that can limit or prohibit spearfishing entirely depending on the location and time of year.
Seasons and regulations may differ in federal waters off Louisiana’s coast. Visit the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s site for federal seasons and regulations. When you dive beyond state waters (generally past 9 nautical miles in the Gulf), federal rules administered by NOAA Fisheries apply, and they can be more restrictive than state rules for certain species.
Additional restricted zones include:
- Marine protected areas (MPAs) — federal designations in the Gulf of America that prohibit all fishing, including spearfishing, within their boundaries
- Artificial reef sites — some reef areas have gear restrictions; check with LDWF before diving
- Private water — spearfishing in privately owned ponds or water bodies without the owner’s permission is trespassing
- State parks and wildlife refuges — many prohibit all forms of take without a special permit
- Commercial shipping channels — diving in active navigation channels is both illegal and extremely dangerous
Seasons and regulations may differ in federal waters off Louisiana’s coast; visit the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s site for federal seasons and regulations. Always check both state and federal restrictions for the specific coordinates of your planned dive site.
Louisiana also has a number of unique animal and wildlife laws worth knowing about if you spend time outdoors in the state. You can explore related regulations in our guides to roadkill laws in Louisiana and beekeeping laws in Louisiana.
Bag Limits and Size Limits for Spearfishing in Louisiana
The same bag and size limits that apply to hook-and-line anglers apply to spearfishers. You do not get a separate or more generous limit because you are diving. Recreational anglers must not exceed the daily bag limit for any species while on the water. No recreational anglers can have in their possession more than twice the daily bag limit of any species of freshwater fish.
For the most frequently targeted saltwater species, the 2026 Louisiana Recreational Fishing Regulations (updated April 28, 2026, per the LDWF) establish the following key limits:
| Species | Minimum Size | Maximum Size | Daily Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Flounder | Check current LDWF regulations | No maximum | Check current LDWF regulations |
| Red Drum | 18 inches (total length) | 27 inches (total length) | 4 fish per day |
| Spotted Seatrout | Check current LDWF regulations | No maximum | Check current LDWF regulations |
| Garfish (freshwater, spear) | No minimum | No maximum | No statewide limit |
The minimum size for red drum is sixteen inches in total length when measured with the mouth closed, and the maximum size for red drum is twenty-seven inches in total length when measured with the mouth closed. However, note that the LDWF updated red drum size and daily creel limits effective June 20, 2024, setting a daily creel of 4 fish per angler with an 18-inch minimum and 27-inch maximum.
No saltwater sport fisherman shall take or possess at any one time in Louisiana territorial waters any red drum, southern flounder, or spotted sea trout under the prescribed minimum size nor over the maximum prescribed size and daily bag limit. Any fish under the minimum or over the maximum prescribed size shall be returned immediately to the waters from which taken without avoidable injury.
Unless otherwise established, there are no size limits for species not listed. Unless otherwise noted, possession limits for saltwater fish are the same as the daily bag limit. Always verify the current limits for your target species at the eRegulations Louisiana saltwater fishing page before heading out, as limits for species like spotted seatrout are subject to change by emergency rule.
For more context on how bag and size limits compare across the region, see our articles on spearfishing laws in Minnesota and spearfishing laws in Pennsylvania.
Penalties for Spearfishing Violations in Louisiana
Louisiana uses a tiered violation classification system under Title 56. The penalty you face depends on which class of violation applies to your offense. Spearfishing-related violations fall under some of the more serious classes.
Violations of Subsection C of Louisiana Revised Statutes § 56:320 — which covers the use of prohibited methods including illegal spearing — and the taking of freshwater and saltwater game fish by illegal methods constitute a class four violation. Class four violations carry significant fines and can include criminal penalties.
Commercial finfish may be taken by any skin diver in salt water or fresh water when submerged and using standard spearing equipment, and by no other means. In the saltwater areas of the state, commercial finfish may be taken by means of rod and reel. Violation of this paragraph constitutes a class three violation.
Here is a general overview of Louisiana’s fishing violation class structure as it applies to spearfishing offenses:
| Violation Type | Class | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Spearing game fish illegally / using prohibited gear | Class 4 | Fines, possible criminal charges, license suspension |
| Illegal commercial spearing methods | Class 3 | Fines and license penalties |
| Exceeding bag or size limits | Class 2–3 | Civil and criminal penalties |
| Taking threatened or endangered species | Federal + State | Severe federal fines, possible imprisonment |
The federally listed threatened and endangered, or prohibited species are off limits for recreational take. Civil and criminal penalties may apply for taking the following aquatic species. If you accidentally spear a protected species, you must release it immediately and report the incident to LDWF.
Beyond fines, repeat offenders risk permanent license revocation. Any person convicted of any offense involving fisheries laws or regulations shall forfeit any permit or license issued to commercially take these species and shall be forever barred from receiving any permit or license to commercially take these species. Any person who, after having been barred, violates any provision shall be penalized under the provisions of a Class 7-B violation under R.S. 56:37.
Pro Tip: Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents actively patrol coastal waters, especially during peak flounder gigging season in the fall. Keep all applicable licenses on your person while on the water — digital copies on your phone are accepted if you purchased your license online through the LDWF portal.
Staying compliant with Louisiana’s spearfishing laws comes down to three rules: know which water you are in, know which species you can legally target, and carry the right licenses. The state’s restrictions exist to protect its world-class fisheries for future generations. For other Louisiana-specific outdoor and animal laws, explore our guides on leash laws in Louisiana, pit bull laws in Louisiana, and spearfishing laws in New Jersey.