2018 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 327
BY SENATOR LAMBERT
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 56:325(B)(4) and 325.1(C)(1) and (2)(a) and (c) and to enact
3 R.S. 56:325.1(A)(4), relative to possession limits for recreational fishing; to remove
4 a sunset provision for possession limits for largemouth bass and spotted bass taken
5 in saltwater areas of the state; to provide for a possession limit for red drum and
6 spotted sea trout taken in saltwater areas of the state; to provide for violations of
7 certain possession limits; to provide for certain fines; to provide terms, conditions,
8 and requirements; and to provide for related matters.
9 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
10 Section 1. R.S. 56:325(B)(4) and 325.1(C)(1) and (2)(a) and (c) are hereby amended
11 and reenacted and R.S. 56:325.1(A)(4) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
12 §325. Daily take, possession, and size limits; freshwater recreational fish; possession
13 of finfish filets prohibited
14 B. * * *
15 (4) The possession limit for largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) and
16 spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus) taken south of U.S. Highway 90 shall be
17 three times the daily take limit when the fisherman holds and is in possession of a
18 current valid recreational fishing license and can show a landing receipt from a
19 public boat launch located south of U.S. Highway 90 that demonstrates to the
20 satisfaction of the department that the fisherman has been actively on the water or
21 at a remote camp that can be accessed only by water for two days or more. Such The
22 fish shall be kept whole or whole gutted in separate bags for each species of fish and
23 date taken and which. The bags shall be marked with the date the fish were taken,
24 the species, and the number of fish contained in the bag, and the name and license
25 number of the person taking the fish. The fish shall only be in the possession of the
26 person who took the fish. However, no fisherman shall be actively fishing or
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
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1 engaged in fishing while in possession of more than the daily take limit. The
2 provisions of this Paragraph shall be null and void and of no effect beginning July
3 1, 2016, and thereafter.
4 * * *
5 §325.1. Size and possession limits, recreational saltwater finfish; penalties
6 A. * * *
7 (4) The possession limit for red drum and spotted sea trout taken south
8 of U.S. Highway 90 shall be three times the daily take limit when the fisherman
9 holds and is in possession of a valid recreational fishing license and can show a
10 landing receipt from a public boat launch located south of U.S. Highway 90 that
11 demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the fisherman has been
12 actively on the water or at a remote camp that can be accessed only by water for
13 two days or more. The fish shall be kept whole or whole gutted in separate bags
14 for each species of fish. The bags shall be marked with the date the fish were
15 taken, the species, the number of fish contained in the bag, and the name and
16 license number of the person taking the fish. The fish shall only be in the
17 possession of the person who took the fish. However, no fisherman shall be
18 actively fishing or engaged in fishing while in possession of more than the daily
19 take limit.
20 * * *
21 C.(1) Violation of this Section constitutes a class two violation. However,
22 if the take or possession limit as provided in Paragraph A(2)(a) or (b) or (3)
23 Subparagraphs (A)(2)(a) or (b) or Paragraphs (A)(3) or (4) of this Section or any
24 such take or possession limit set by the commission is exceeded by one hundred
25 percent or more the violation shall be a class four violation.
26 (2) In addition to the penalties provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection,
27 the following penalties shall apply:
28 (a) Violation of Paragraph A(2)(a) or (3) Subparagraph (A)(2)(a) or
29 Paragraphs (A)(3) or (4) of this Section for red drum or Paragraph B(1) (B)(1) of
30 this Section shall be punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars per fish under
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1 sixteen inches in total length or over the limit of five, or in violation of such
2 minimum size and take and possession limits as may be established by the
3 commission.
4 * * *
5 (c) Violation of Paragraph A(2)(b) or (3) Subparagraph (A)(2)(b) or
6 Paragraphs (A)(3) or (4) of this Section for spotted sea trout or Paragraph B(B)(3)
7 of this Section shall be punishable by a fine of twenty-five dollars per fish under
8 twelve inches in total length or over the limit of twenty-five or in violation of such
9 minimum size and take and possession limits as may be established by the
10 commission.
11 * * *
12 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
13 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
14 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
15 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
16 effective on the day following such approval.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.