Recreational red snapper season to close Aug. 13

Chuk Cole and Jessica Spooner with Jessica’s 22.4-pound snapper caught out of Venice on July 18, 2020.
Chuk Cole and Jessica Spooner with Jessica’s 22.4-pound snapper caught out of Venice on July 18, 2020.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet signed a declaration of emergency to close the recreational red snapper season at 12:01 a.m. Thursday, August 13.

LA Creel indicates that 609,371 pounds or 78 percent of Louisiana’s 2020 annual private recreational allocation of 784,332 pounds have been harvested as of July 26. Early indicators are predicting above-average landings for last week, therefore; the projected quota of 784,332 pounds may be met after August 10, 2020.

After the closure, LDWF will continue to monitor red snapper landings through the LA Creel survey and consider options if any quota remains.

Once the season closes, red snapper anglers will have had 37 days of fishing opportunity.

For more information on the red snapper season and detailed landing estimates, visit:   https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/red-snapper.