The Artificial Reef Program (Program) is responsible for the planning, siting, material selection, permitting, and monitoring oversight of inshore artificial reef development. Inshore reefs are those artificial reefs developed solely in Louisiana state waters between the Louisiana Intracoastal Waterway and the Louisiana coastline and within Lake Pontchartrain. Nearshore waters are from Louisiana’s coastline to the 100-foot depth contour in the Gulf of Mexico.

These reefs can be utilized by a great number of Louisiana’s fishermen due to short travel distances and provide options to stay closer to shore or inshore during inclement weather conditions. The overall mission of the Program is to enhance fishing opportunities, reduce or eliminate conflict between user groups, and construct new reefs based on: siting criteria; input expressed by advisory organizations; the fishing public and other constituents; increase accessibility to fishing sites; have a net positive impact to fisheries; and increase fishing opportunities while keeping a management focus.

The deadline to submit responses is June 15, 2020, by 2:00 PM. A link to both complete RFIQ documents can be found at here.

For more information on the Inshore RFIQ, please contact Ashley Ferguson at 225-761-2395 or via e-mail at [email protected]

For more information on the Nearshore RFIQ, please contact Mike McDonough at 225-763-5418 or via e-mail at [email protected]

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. LDWF receives no state general funding and depends on license sales as a major funding source.  Help us protect your hunting and fishing heritage while preserving habitat, wildlife, and aquatic resources by purchasing your license at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive email or text alerts signup here.