We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Commercial Fishing Guide Special Use Permits (SUP).
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Commercial Fishing Guide Special Use Permits (SUP). From January 12– February 28, 2026, we will be accepting SUP applications. There are several important reminders for the application process this year to take note of, which are covered below.
2026 Application Process:
As a reminder, as of 2024, we are requiring each company to submit one SUP application that covers all guides who will guide for the company for the year. The company will be issued one SUP, which will include the names of approved guides guiding under the company permit. Please note that company permits are subject to revocation if any company guide, employee, subcontractor, or agent is found to be in violation of Refuge regulations. A fee of $375 will be required for each guide under a company permit. Each guide will receive an individual boat sticker that has been assigned to them. For individual guides not associated with a company, the process for SUP application submission will remain the same as last year (submit a SUP application on your own behalf, along with the other required items listed below).
The deadline to apply during this application period will be February 28, 2026 – all applications must be received by this date and include all required documents. Applications submitted outside of this established deadline will not be accepted. Please allow up to 14 days for us to issue you the SUP once we receive your complete application. We will process complete application packages (including all required information/credentials/payments) for all guides listed on the SUP application in the order in which they are received. Required documents are listed below.
Permitting Steps:
Send us the complete SUP application package. You may either:
1. Preferred: email your application and all required documents (except payment) to swlrcomplex@fws.gov. You can mail the $375.00 payment separately or you can bring it with you if you choose to pick up your permit and sticker in person.
-OR-
2. Mail your application and all required documents (including payment(s)) to:
Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
3000 Holly Beach Highway
Hackberry, LA 70645
Once we receive the application, we will create the permit and reach out to you regarding how you would like to receive it. You may choose from the following options:
1. You can make an appointment to pick up your permit and boat sticker in person at Sabine NWR. Please note that pick up is by appointment only.
-OR-
2. You may choose to have the permit and sticker mailed to you at no extra cost. If you choose this option, we will ask you to sign the permit by email (either sign electronically then email back to us, or print/sign/scan/email it back to us). Either way, you must sign the permit before we can issue it to you.
Required Documents:
A completed SUP application by the company (or by an individual guide not associated with a company), which must be signed and dated at the bottom.
For each listed guide in the SUP application:
1. Completed 2025 Annual Fishing Guide Report if you received a permit from us last year.
2. Copy/scan of your current Merchant Mariner Credential
3. Copy/scan of your current Louisiana Charter Boat Guide Pass
4. Copy/scan of proof of insurance for the boat(s) you will use to guide
5. Copy/scan of proof registration for the boat(s) you will use to guide
6. Payment of $375.00 per guide in form of check or money order made out to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
***(NOT LDWF/Wildlife and Fisheries)***
Please send completed applications to swlrcomplex@fws.gov as well as reach out to us with any questions.
