Recreational red snapper season to close July 8; may reopen later

Published 11:17 am Friday, June 29, 2018

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted to close the current recreational, 7-days-per-week red snapper season at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 8.
After the closure, the Commission will monitor red snapper landings through the LA Creel survey and consider options for potential additional recreational harvest opportunities.
If Louisiana’s quota is not met, the Commission has given the authority to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet to reopen red snapper season the first weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) of each month beginning in August, until recreational landings approach or reach Louisiana’s annual private recreational allocation of 743,000 pounds.
After considering the rate of landings and LDWF biologists’ recommendations, the LWFC believes this is the best decision for Louisiana anglers. This action will extend recreational red snapper fishing opportunities into the summer if the numbers allow.
“The department appreciates the help of Louisiana anglers for responding to voluntary surveys to determine accurate and reliable harvest estimates through the LA Creel program,” said LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet. “Their help will be crucial in determining when we should consider closing the season.”
The latest catch statistics recorded by LA Creel, the LDWF’s near real-time data collection program is 275,723 pounds, or 38 percent of Louisiana’s allocation. This covers the period through June 10.
Size and bag limits will remain at 16 inches and two fish per person, per day.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov. To receive email alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.