One-week delay due to low recruitment.
Anglers who drag a trawl for their own live bait are used to the white shrimp season opening on the third Monday of August, but this year, they’ll have to wait a week longer.
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission at its Aug. 4 meeting approved a proposal by biologist Marty Bourgeois to open the season on Aug. 22, the fourth Monday of the month.
“Recruitment was a bit late this year,” Bourgeois said. “There was major influence from the flooding, which resulted in less-than-optimal growing conditions.”
The later opening will be in effect in Zones 1, 2 and 3.
“A statewide opening is the norm for the fall season,” Bourgeois said. “It’s optimal because it spreads the fleet over a larger area.”
