LDWF: Snapper landing estimates through July 1; weekend-only season reopens

The weekends-only recreational red snapper season reopened today and will run until the allocation is reached. Through July 1, anglers had landed about 46 percent of the 743,000-pound allocation, according to LA Creel and the LDWF.

Friday-, Saturday-, Sunday-only season reopened this morning at 12:01 a.m.

Through July 1, Louisiana’s recreational anglers had landed about 344,000 pounds — or 46 percent — of the state’s 743,000-pound allocation, according to catch estimates from LA Creel and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

The 344,000 pounds do not include the full 4th of July holiday week, only the weekend prior ending on July 1. According to the LDWF, that week typically yields higher landings than other weeks.

The weekend-only season started this morning at 12:01 a.m., and will continue on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only until recreational landings approach or reach the 743,000-pound mark.

This year, state and federal seasons are running concurrently because federal fisheries managers approved the LDWF’s application for an  Exempted Fishing Permit  to manage the private recreational snapper season in state and federal waters in 2018 and 2019.

Under the EFP, participating anglers are allowed to fish red snapper in the state territorial seas and adjoining federal EEZ, from shore to 200 nautical miles.

For more information on the 2018 red snapper season and detailed landing estimates, click here.