Louisiana § RS 56:500 - Recreational possession limit; gear
Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 56:500 — Recreational possession limit; gear, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ RS 56:500. Recreational possession limit; gear
A. A recreational fisherman may, in open waters in open season, with a valid basic fishing license and a saltwater fishing license or an equivalent license that grants both basic fishing and saltwater fishing privileges use a trawl not to exceed twenty-five feet and may take no more than an aggregate of two hundred fifty pounds of shrimp per day to each boat, regardless of the number of persons thereon, provided the shrimp taken are used for bait or for the fisherman's own consumption and are not sold, traded, or otherwise permitted to enter into commerce.
B. A recreational fisherman may use a castnet not to exceed eight feet six inches in radius; a bait seine with a maximum mesh size not to exceed one-quarter inch mesh bar, one-half inch mesh stretched, and thirty feet in length; or a dip net not to exceed three feet in diameter to take saltwater shrimp. A recreational fisherman shall, at any time, take no more than fifty pounds of saltwater shrimp during closed season nor shall he take more than one hundred pounds of saltwater shrimp during open season, in the aggregate, per day, for each boat or land vehicle, regardless of the number of persons thereon, provided that the saltwater shrimp taken are used for bait or for the fisherman's own consumption and are not sold, traded, or otherwise permitted to enter into commerce.
Amended by Acts 1952, No. 627, §1; Acts 1958, No. 53, §7, emerg. eff. June 24, 1958; Acts 1979, No. 284, §1; Acts 1981, No. 492, §1; Acts 1981, No. 837, §3. H.C.R. No. 19, 1983 R.S.; Acts 1984, No. 693, §1; Acts 1984, No. 295, §1, §2, eff. July 1, 1984; Acts 1984, No. 230, §1, eff. June 29, 1984; Acts 1984, No. 299, §1; Acts 1984, No. 628, §1; H.C.R. No. 37, 1984 R.S.; Acts 1986, No. 904, §3; Acts 1987, No. 570, §1, eff. July 9, 1987; Acts 1987, No. 570, §2, eff. May 1, 1988; Acts 1991, No. 871, §1; Acts 1992, No. 54, §1; Acts 1993, No. 81, §1; Acts 1999, No. 181, §1; Acts 2003, No. 323, §1; Acts 2004, No. 161, §1; Acts 2021, No. 356, §3, eff. June 1, 2022.
NOTE: SEE ACTS 1986, NO. 904, §5.
Source: official Louisiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 56:500
What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 56:500 cover?
Section RS 56:500 ("Recreational possession limit; gear") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Louisiana § RS 56:500?
A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 56:500" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Louisiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.
How does Louisiana § RS 56:500 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.