Bank Fishing - Should A Fishing License Required

This past weekend a friend and I took a boat ride and we passed through Marques Canal on our way to Chef Pass. As we idled navigating the canal there were many people on the bank fishing enjoying the Labor day weekend. There were people of all races and sex there with some kids all doing what they like to do. It was very good to see. Before we passed everyone a Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries truck pulled up and a officer got out and started asking to see their fishing licenses.

My first thought was how disappointing it is the law requires a license to fish in a circumstance as above. Why should there be a deter-ant for people to fish off the bank? It seems we should do all we can to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors, at least fishing anyway. We have the abundant fishing resources in our state and valid residents should have the opportunity to enjoy it.

I am all for enforcement of size and limits of fish taken. And, I suppose the same argument could be made other types of hunting where licenses are required but it seems to me bank fisherman should get a free pass on required licenses.

It's all about money. If you fish- you should have a license.
People who bank fish are low hanging fruit. LADWF can check a lot of people in a short amount of time without even launching a boat. Does quota ring a bell? It's easy to ticket and gain money if bank fishermen don't have a license. I am good with it- as long as the money is being used for enforcement, search and rescue, resource preservation, research etc...
On the other hand- I wish they would just sit around and write tickets for people littering. They could probably get more money that way.

Not sure I agree with you. Why should I have several thousand dollars invested in a boat (that I paid taxes, ins. etc. on). I have to register it and I purchase a fishing license, but someone fishing off the bank that really doesn't contribute to LA tax base not pay for a license ??? Kids 16 and younger are not required to purchase a license, boat or bank. EVERY adult that fishes in LA needs to have a LA fishing license no matter where you fish. JMO

I understand your point but everyone who uses the resource should pitch in. These few dollars help run our system on a very shoe string budget. If you use the resource pitch in. Also you will find many bank fisherman who don’t buy licenses don’t know the rules or laws and violate them a lot. My wife and I walk the seawall a decent bit at night a small portion of fisherman litter a lot and often catch undersized reds which I rarely ever see them throw them back. A few years ago had one bank fisherman with bucket full( like 15) undersized reds around 10-12”. So if a guy drives up and just walks in the woods on public wma and makes a stroll looking for a squirrel, rabbit or deer but doesn’t camp or spend the night or use a 4 wheeler should he have to have a license because the guy on private property who pays a lease and has a camp and ATVs has to. Everyone should contribute.

By having the fishing license requirement for anyone over 17 years of age...allows the WLF the 'PROBABLE CAUSE' to inspect those fishing ANYWHERE for violations! As stated above, there is a larger percentage of bank fishers who violate size/limit requirements!!! John Castelluccio, Jr.

Bank fishing with or without a license doesn't amount to a drop of water in the ocean. And by the way I'm sure most people don't realize how much natural resource (fish) are waisted by commercial fisherman and not even a hint of penalty for it.

And can you FACTUALLY inform all of us just 'how much that...'... most people don't realize how much natural resource (fish) are waisted by commercial fisherman and not even a hint of penalty for it'. Please share with us all that you are aware of...very curious! John Castelluccio, Jr.

Fishiac, I agree with John, I'd love to know facts and not just BS. As far as fishing license, EVERY adult fishing in Louisiana needs to have a fishing license, IT'S THE LAW!!!!!!!

Most democrats think they are above the law,,,just saying