Seasons

Shrimp Season to Open in a Portion of State Outside Waters on April 17

fishing boat at sea

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the portion of state outside waters between Calliou Boca and the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel at Eugene Island shall reopen to shrimping at 12:00 p.m. (noon) on April 17, 2020. The area to open is defined as follows:  The eastern boundary…

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2020 Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Recreational For-Hire Season Announced

WHAT/WHEN: The 2020 red snapper fishing season for vessels with federal for-hire reef fish permits is 62 days in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). The season for federally permitted for-hire vessels will begin at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 1, 2020, and will close at 12:01…

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LA Shrimp Season to Close January 24 in Portions of State Inside Waters

LA inshore shrimp closure map for January 24, 2020

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2019 fall shrimp season will close at official sunset on Friday, January 24, 2020, in the following portions of state inside waters: Lake Pontchartrain, Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), a section of…

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LA Shrimp Season to Close January 6 in Portions of State Outside Waters

2019 offshore shrimp closure map

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2019 shrimp season will close at official sunset on Monday, January 6, 2020, in portions of state outside waters between Caillou Boca and Freshwater Bayou Canal: The eastern boundary line of the closure area originates on the northwest shore of Caillou…

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Fishing For Lane Snapper In Louisiana and Federal Waters To Close Dec. 13

fishing rods on a boat

The recreational and commercial seasons for lane snapper in Louisiana waters will close at 12:01 a.m. on December 13, 2019, and will remain closed until January 1, 2019. The decision was made by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet, following notification by NOAA Fisheries that the Federal…

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Louisiana Shrimp Season to Close December 16 in Portions of State Waters

deckhand unloading shrimp from skimmer net on boat deck

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2019 fall inshore shrimp season would close in all state inside waters on Monday, December 16, 2019, at official sunset, except for the following inside waters east of the Mississippi River: Lake Pontchartrain, Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound,…

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Commercial Harvest of King Mackerel in EEZ Western Zone Closes November 21

king mackerel swimming

Commercial harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Western Zone will close at 12:00 pm, central time, on November 21, 2019.  Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 am, central time, on July 1, 2020. WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING: The 2019/2020 commercial Western Zone quota is 1,096,000 pounds.  Updated…

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Reminder of Current Blue Crab Harvest Regulations

crab traps floating in water

At its September 6, 2018 meeting, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopted a Notice of Intent to change regulations for the recreational and commercial harvest of blue crabs in 2019.  The rule prohibits the recreational and commercial take and/or possession of female blue crab for a 35-day period beginning…

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August 2019 Council Update

reef fish swimming

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 12-15, 2019.  The Council re-elected Dr. Tom Frazer as its Chair and Dale Diaz as its Vice Chair.  The following is a brief summary of the Council’s actions:   Recreational For-Hire Red Snapper Annual Catch Target Buffer…

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