Saltwater Regulations

State License Requirements

  • Basic Fishing License (Please check for exceptions here.)
  • Saltwater Fishing License
  • All recreational anglers and charter captains are required to obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit to possess tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, hinds, cobia, wahoo and dolphin. Minors (under 16) are not required to obtain a recreational offshore landing permit. Angling customers on a paid-for-hire charter trip ALSO do not need a permit.
    • Anglers wishing to obtain or renew a permit must register at https://rolp.wlf.la.gov. Additional details are also available on that website.

All applicable licenses must be in possession of the fisherman.

Federal License Requirements

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Division in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

A Federal Recreational Fishing Permit is required for vessels fishing for tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks. You may apply for an initial or renewal permit in one of several ways. The permit fee is $20.

  • To apply for an initial or renewal permit online visit the NMFS Permit Shop at www.hmspermits.noaa.gov.
  • An initial or renewal application package can be downloaded from the NMFS Permit Shop or mailed by calling the NMFS at 888-872-8862.
  • Renew permits by calling the automated voice response system at 888-872-8862. Permits will be valid from the date of issuance through through the end of the calendar year.

An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico The permit fee is $25. HMS Charter/Headboat Permit will be valid from the date of issuance through the end of the calendar year.

A Federal Shrimp Vessel Permit is required for all vessels fishing shrimp in the Gulf of Mexico EEZ.

Information about obtaining HMS permits and regulations are available at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/information or by calling 888-872-8862.

Know Before you go

The National Marine Fisheries Service has a Memorandum of Agreement with the National Weather Service to broadcast unanticipated and time-critical fishery regulatory actions where there is minimal opportunity for advanced public notice. These broadcasts are issued for four or five days, 24 hours a day, by selected NWR coastal stations. (VHF frequencies in MHz)

  • 162.400
  • 162.525
  • 162.550
  • 162.425
  • 162.450
  • 162.475

Saltwater Species you Cannot Harvest

Threatened or Endangered and Prohibited Species

The federally listed threatened and endangered or prohibited species listed below are off limits for fishing or recreational take. Civil and criminal penalties may apply for taking the following aquatic species. If any of these protected species are incidentally caught, they must be released unharmed immediately.

Sharks (NOAA Shark Identification Guide)

Recreational Saltwater Tournament Operators

Federal regulations require any person conducting a fishing tournament in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico involving the catch and/or landing of any HMS regulated species to register with the HMS Management Division of the National Marine Fisheries Service at least four weeks prior to start of the tournament. A Tournament Registration Form [PDF] is available on the NMFS website at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/tournaments/index.html.

To register a tournament, an Atlantic HMS Tournament Registration Form must be completed, signed and sent to the Atlantic HMS Management Division by mail or fax.

Fax: 727-824-5398

Mailing Address:

HMS Tournament Registration
National Marine Fisheries Service
263 13th Avenue S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Once the registration form has been processed an Atlantic HMS Tournament Confirmation Number will be produced and provided to the tournament operator.

NOTE: Registration is not complete unless the tournament operator has received a confirmation number from the HMS Management Division of NMFS. For more information call 727-824-5399; www.hmspermits.noaa.gov.

Important Information about Fishing in Gulf of Mexico Federal Waters

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council manages fisheries in federal waters from where the Louisiana gulfward boundary ends and extends 200 miles seaward into the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana anglers fishing beyond the 9 nautical-mile (10.357 statute miles or 3 marine leagues) Louisiana gulfward boundary are in federal waters.

These waters are also known as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Federal fishing regulations are not always the same as state fishing regulations. To make sure that you are in complete compliance with federal regulations call the Gulf Council at 888-833-1844, or e-mail [email protected]. Visit gulfcouncil.org for information about federal fishing regulations, measurement guidelines, sanctuaries & closures and fish identification charts.

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