Fishery Management

Reminder: Flounder Season Set to Close October 15 to November 30

box of several flounder and one black drum

An annual closed season for the recreational and commercial harvest of Southern Flounder from October 15 through November 30 of each year has been finalized. This statewide closure for Southern Flounder is for all sectors and all gear types, including any flounder caught as bycatch in any other fishery.  Exemptions…

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LDWF: 2023 Derelict Crab Trap Cleanup Event; Volunteers and Sponsors Needed

People returning derlict crab traps

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will host its annual Derelict Crab Trap Rodeo volunteer cleanup event this February.  LDWF encourages volunteers and sponsors to participate in these events to make the crab trap rodeos successful in 2023 and keep our Sportsman’s Paradise pristine. Volunteers Volunteers will help…

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Wildlife and Fisheries Announces Stock Assessment Schedule

Close up of redfish face

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is currently conducting stock assessments on important recreational and commercial fish stocks, including Redfish (Red Drum), in Louisiana state waters. Stock assessments are computer-modeled simulations of fish populations that incorporate life history metrics (age, growth, reproduction), stock abundance information (survey catch effort),…

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LA Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Sets the 2022-2023 Oyster Season

2022-2023 Oyster Season Statewide Open and Closed Map

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the 2022-2023 oyster season based on the annual oyster stock assessment provided by  Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and comments received from members of the public, including the oyster industry. The following dates were set for the upcoming oyster season: The…

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Notice of Intent to Require Reporting of Commercial Menhaden Harvest

menahden boats

At the September 1, 2022 meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) passed a notice of intent to create regulations requiring monthly reporting from the commercial menhaden reduction fishery. The proposed rule is mandated by Act 759 of the 2022 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. Act 759 requires the LWFC to…

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Gulf Council Recommends Modifying Red Snapper Catch Limits

school of red snapper swimming in blue water

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a framework action to modify red snapper catch limits. The Council chose to decrease the overfishing limit and increase the acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits, and annual catch targets. The state specific private angling annual catch limits are calculated…

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Swordfish and Roundscale Spearfish Regulations Modified for Consistency with Feds

charter boat deckhand gets fish on line for customer

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a notice of intent at their meeting today to modify swordfish regulations.  The proposed rule would adjust swordfish possession limits to be 1 per angler or 4 per vessel on recreational trips, 1 per angler or 6 per vessel on charter vessels, and 1…

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LDWF Announces Opening Date for the Fall Inshore Shrimp Season

map showing opening areas of the fall inshore shrimp season

Today, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the opening dates for the fall inshore shrimp season based on information provided by biologists from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), input from the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force, and public comments. Season openings are as follows: From the Mississippi/Louisiana…

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LDWF Plans Four Crab Trap Closures Along Louisiana Coast

derelict crab trap

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) allowing the removal of derelict crab traps along Louisiana’s coast in 2023 from the four following described areas: 1.    The first closure will take place in the Pontchartrain Basin, in an area between Delacroix, River Aux Chenes,…

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LWFC Proposes Removal of Shark Closed Season

Young man on charter boat holding bent rod with fish on line

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a notice of intent at their meeting today to remove the shark closed season for recreational and commercial fishermen.  Currently, shark season is closed for 3 months from April to June for recreational and commercial possession.  The proposed regulations would remove the closed season….

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