LDWF: Red snapper state season to close tonight

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2018 state recreational red snapper season will close at 11:59 p.m. tonight, Aug. 12.

743,000-pound quota expected to be harvested

Today’s the day.

Sunday is likely the last day for recreational red snapper anglers to get in a 2018 trip — according to a press release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the state season will close tonight ( Aug. 12) at 11:59 p.m.

LA Creel, which estimates harvest data in almost-real time, indicates the state’s quota of 743,000 pounds of red snapper for the private sector should be reached by the end of the day today.

But LDWF secretary Jack Montoucet does have the authority to reopen the recreational season if finalized landings data indicate such a harvest would fall within the quota.

Numbers released Friday morning by LDWF indicated 87 percent of the state’s recreational allocation of 743,000 pounds has been caught through July 29.