The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division are patrolling waterways for unregistered houseboats.

If LDWF agents locate unregistered houseboats, they will investigate them to track down the owners and then have the owners get it registered or removed from the waterway or face receiving a citation. If anyone has information about owners of unregistered houseboats, they can call Operation Game Thief at 1-800-442-2511 to have an agent investigate.

Unregistered houseboats have a higher chance of leading to derelict or abandoned houseboats that then pose a navigable safety hazard to boaters and litter Louisiana’s waterways. They can sink below the water line, can be hard to see at night, leave a trail of debris, and are often unmarked.

The regulations requiring houseboats on Louisiana waters to have a registration was established on Jan. 1, 2019. The rules state that every houseboat operated, occupied, inhabited, utilized or otherwise deployed on the waters of Louisiana must be registered with LDWF.

Houseboats are defined as any vessel constructed or utilized for the primary purpose of a temporary or permanent dwelling without an effective means of propulsion for safe navigation. When determining whether a vessel meets the definition of a “houseboat”, the department shall utilize the standard such that a reasonable observer would conclude that the vessel is capable of being used as an abode, habitation, or dwelling for at least a temporary basis.

Such determination should involve, but is not limited to, whether the vessel has a roof and is enclosed, or has multiple walls or structures capable of protecting inhabitants from the elements. Additional evidence that may be considered include the presence of doors, windows, electrical wiring, plumbing, appliances, cabinetry, bedding, or any other features commonly found in a dwelling.

Titling of houseboats, whether commercially manufactured or homemade, is not required.

Once the registration is filed with LDWF, applicants will be mailed a copy of their registration along with HIN decals with instructions on the placement of the HIN on the registered houseboat.

To register a houseboat, please visit https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/title-or-register-your-boat.