Recreational crabbing requirements are minimal, both license- and gear-wise. But, according to Sgt. Mike Garrity of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division, some licenses are required and there are some rules to the game.
The possession limit for recreationally-caught crabs is 12 dozen per person.
There is no minimum size for recreationally-caught crabs; however, all berry crabs (aka sponge crabs) must be returned to the water immediately after being caught. These are female crabs with large orange to brown sponge-like masses of eggs nestled between their belly flaps and their bodies.
The least-expensive way to fish for crabs is with a drop net or bait on a string and a dip net. Neither requires a license of any sort unless it is done on a Department of Wildlife and Fisheries wildlife management area.
The use of trotlines requires the purchase of a basic fishing license costing $9.50 per year, unless it is done on a WMA, where a $13 saltwater fishing license is also required. The rules for each WMA in the state are different and the rule book for any particular WMA should be consulted before crabbing is done.
The use of crab traps requires a $15 recreational crab trap gear license, as well as a basic fishing license. With these licenses a maximum of 10 crab traps may be used. Each crab trap must be marked with a tag bearing the crab trap gear license number.
Two forms of tags may be used. One is a 2-inch stainless steel self-locking tag attached to the wire in the center of the trap ceiling. The other is a plastic bait box tag. Tags are often available where crab traps are purchased.
Crab traps are required to be built with two 2 5/16-inch rigid release rings to release small crabs. All traps, even those used on the beach and held in place with a pipe or rebar stake, must have a solid float of at least 6 inches in diameter attached to the trap with a non-floating line of at least ¼-inch diameter.
Baiting, tending, checking or running crab traps is prohibited from one half hour after legal sunset until one half hour before legal sunrise.
Checking, running or in any way molesting someone else’s crab trap is a serious offense that carries a penalty of a fine of $400 to $950 and the possibility of up to 120 days in jail.
Elmer’s Island beaches across Caminada Pass from Grand Isle were in the not too distant past a recreational crabbing hotspot because of the ability to drive on the beach right to where one wanted to crab.
The area is now publicly owned and managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as a refuge.
While rod-and-reel fishing is allowed and welcomed, recreational crabbing is strictly prohibited on Elmer’s Island.
Beach crabbers also should be aware that Louisiana prohibits the possession of glass beverage containers or bottles on Louisiana beaches.