Season extension expected to last until Dec. 2, LDWF says
The 2016 red snapper season reopens Friday for weekends-only fishing, with a two fish daily limit and 16-inch total length minimum size.
The fall season was announced at today’s Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting in Baton Rouge.
The regular 2016 state season closed Labor Day, but LDWF’s Jason Adriance said this year’s total allowable catch had not been reached.
As of the Sept. 5 state closure, private anglers in state waters had landed 643,998 pounds of snapper, while charter operations accounted for another 69,392 pounds, according to LDWF estimates.
Private anglers caught 187,527 pounds of red snapper during the 11-day federal season in June, while charter boats landed another 140,404 pounds of fish, the LDWF reports.
That left 75,411 pounds of red snapper remaining to be caught, and Adriance offered commissioners two options: a seven-day season and a weekends-only season.
Adriance said reopening the season on a daily basis would mean a closing roughly on Nov. 6, while running the season from Fridays through Sundays only would extend the season until Dec. 2.
LDWF Sec. Charlie Melancon was given the authority to close the season as soon as LA Creel estimates indicate the TAC has been reached.
