Unlike most fishing regulations - which are implemented by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission - these were initiated through Senate Bill 111 by Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter during the 2026 legislative session. SB111 passed both chambers by unanimous votes and was signed into law by Gov. Landry.
The following regulations will apply to all waters within the designated area indicated below:
Black bass (incl. Largemouth, Florida, Spotted and hybrids)
- Daily Creel Limit: 5 fish
- Minimum length: 12 inches
Crappie (incl. Black, White, and hybrids)
- Daily Creel Limit: 25 fish
- Minimum length: 8 inches
Major waterbodies within the area of regulation change include, but are not limited to: Henderson Lake, Pat's Bay, Alabama Bayou, Grassy Lake, Lake Verret, Lake Palourde, and the majority of the Atchafalaya Basin.
The area covered by the new regulations is within the area south of US 190 from the West Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee to the intersection of LA 1 and US 190 due north of Port Allen, east of the West Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee from US 190 to US 90, north of US 90 from the West Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee to LA 20, north and west of LA 20 from US 90 to LA 1 in Thibodaux, south and west of LA 1 from LA 20 to US 190.
Anglers utilizing any boat launch within the regulated area must be in compliance with the new regulations regardless of where their fish were caught.
Areas outside of the designated area will maintain the statewide regulations for black bass and crappie which continue to be:
Black Bass - 10 daily creel, no minimum size limits
Crappie - 50 daily creel, no minimum size limits
Full recreational fishing regulations can be viewed on the LDWF website.