Louisiana vs Mississippi fishing license
You need a license from age 18 in Louisiana and from 16 in Mississippi.
- Free
- Official sources first
- Checked monthly
- Independent, not a state website
What visitors pay
Cheapest way for an adult non-resident to cover the trip, including required stamps, worked out from each state's price list. The cheaper state is marked.
| Trip | Louisiana | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh water | ||
| 1 day | $30 | $10 |
| 3 days | $30 | $30 |
| 7 days | $60 | $68 |
| 1 year | $68 | $68 |
| Salt water | ||
| 1 day | $60 | $15 |
| 3 days | $60 | $15 |
| 7 days | $120 | $30 |
| 1 year | $128 | $30 |
| Residents, annual | ||
| Fresh water | $17 | $10 |
| Salt water | $32 | $10 |
| Prices for | 2026 | 2026-27 |
Rules side by side
| Louisiana | Mississippi | |
|---|---|---|
| License needed from age | 18 | 16 |
| Senior residents | No-fee senior hunting and fishing license (resident): Free (ages 87+) Resident senior lifetime hunting and fishing license: $100 (ages 65+) | Free (fresh): Mississippi residents aged 65 or over (fresh water only; salt water needs the $5 senior lifetime saltwater license) Resident senior lifetime saltwater license (65+): $5 (ages 65+) |
| Senior visitors | Normal visitor prices | Normal visitor prices |
| Required stamps | None | None |
| Next free fishing day | Not yet announced | Not yet announced |
| On a charter | Yes: everyone who fishes needs their own license | Usually not: the boat's license covers its passengers |
| License on your phone | Accepted | – |
| Annual licenses last | 12 months from purchase | 12 months from purchase |
| Last checked | Nov 4, 2026 | Nov 4, 2026 |
Full details and sources: Louisiana fishing license · Mississippi fishing license
Shared waters
Louisiana residents in Mississippi marine waters (Mississippi rules)
Louisiana residents need the $60 Louisiana resident saltwater license plus a non-resident freshwater license. Official source
Limits for fish found in both states
Guide only. Statewide rules; many waters have their own. Check each state's official rules before you keep a fish.
| Fish | Louisiana | Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass |
Black bass (largemouth and spotted) |
Black bass (largemouth, spotted, smallmouth) |
| Crappie |
Crappie (black and white) |
Crappie (black and white) |
| Catfish |
Blue, channel and flathead catfish |
bag No limit (Statewide; 2 more) |
| Striped bass |
Striped and hybrid striped bass |
Striped bass and hybrids |
| Red drum (redfish) |
Red drum |
18"-30" total length; may keep only 1 over 30"; bag 3 |
| Spotted seatrout |
13" to 20"; bag 15; no more than 2 over 20" |
Spotted seatrout (speckled trout) |
| Flounder |
Southern flounder |
12" total length; bag 10 |
| Cobia |
36" fork length; bag 1; 2 per vessel |
36" fork length; bag 2 |
Questions
Is a Louisiana fishing license valid in Mississippi?
No. Each state needs its own license, except on shared waters covered by a border agreement: Louisiana residents in Mississippi marine waters.
Which is cheaper for visitors, Louisiana or Mississippi?
1 day (fresh water): Louisiana $30, Mississippi $10. 1 year (fresh water): Louisiana $68, Mississippi $68.
At what age do you need a fishing license in Louisiana and Mississippi?
You need a license from age 18 in Louisiana and from 16 in Mississippi.