SB 203 Louisiana Senate · 2026 Regular Session

FISH/FISHING: Provides for possession of catch during multiday trip. (8/1/26)

SB 203 would allow recreational anglers south of U.S. Highway 90 to possess up to three times their daily catch limit for specific fish species during multi-day trips. It directly affects recreational fishermen targeting largemouth bass, spotted bass, red drum, and spotted sea trout in coastal Louisiana. The bill requires anglers to have a valid license, show a landing receipt proving they were actively fishing or at a water-accessible camp for two or more days, and keep fish whole or gutted in marked, species-specific bags. It does not change daily catch limits but adjusts possession rules under these documented conditions. The bill is currently pending before the Natural Resources Committee.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Feb 26, 2026 Signed May 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB203 Original → SB203 Act 475 · 2 edits

MINOR

This bill updates the rules for recreational fishermen in Louisiana who keep fish for two or more days on remote trips. It simplifies the record-keeping requirements by removing the mandate to mark plastic bags with specific catch details like dates and species counts. The core rule allowing fishermen to keep three times the daily limit remains unchanged, provided they hold a valid license and can show proof of their trip.

Scope change

The bill applies to recreational saltwater finfish taken south of U.S. Highway 90, specifically red drum and spotted sea trout, under the same conditions as the original bill.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the requirement that fish be kept in separate bags marked with the date taken, species, number of fish, and the fisherman's name and license number.

Changed the language regarding proof of the trip from showing a 'landing receipt' to demonstrating a landing receipt that shows the fisherman was actively on the water or at a remote camp accessible only by water for two days or more.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 25, 2026 · House May 13, 2026

How they voted

34–0

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 40

Mar 25, 2026

D Democratic12

8 Yea 4

66% Yea

R Republican28

26 Yea 2

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amendments proposed by the House read and concurred in by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays.

upper

May 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 97, nays 0. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

lower

May 7, 2026

Introduced

Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

lower

May 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably (12-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Committee

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.

lower

Mar 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

Read by title, passed by a vote of 34 yeas and 0 nays, and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported with amendments.

upper

Mar 9, 2026

Committee

Introduced in the Senate; read by title. Rules suspended. Read second time and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors