Top 10 things to know about the ‘Sportsman’s Paradise’

• By JOE MACALUSO
• Advocate Outdoors writer
• Published: Jun 14, 2009

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Know the rules

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries oversees hunting and fishing activities on state lands and waters and shares that duty with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service and/or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on federal lands.

Rules and regulations covering access, equipment, seasons, hours and more are outlined in several brochures and pamphlets published by these agencies.

On the Net: http://www.wlf. state.la.us

Open to the public

Louisiana continues to play catch-up when it comes to public fishing piers. Access to hunting areas is a different story: There are more than 2 million acres of state and federal lands open to the public.

Popular fish-from-the-bank areas in Baton Rouge are City Park and University lakes and the Mississippi River. Grand Isle beaches are popular areas for surf fishing and crabbing.

Licenses

Basic fishing and hunting licenses are required for most between the ages of 16 and 59. Those who turned 60 after the year 2000 are required to have a $5 Senior License that covers both activities. Special licenses are required for archery and primitive-weapons seasons.

You need a saltwater fishing license for trips to coastal waters and a big-game hunting license for taking deer, turkey and bobcats. The state also offers lifetime licenses covering all those activities. Hunting waterfowl? You’ll need a federal waterfowl stamp. All recreational licenses run from July 1-June 30.

Where and how

Hunting and fishing licenses are issued after you present a driver’s license to a state vendor. Can’t find a vendor? Call (888) 765-2602.

The latest regulations