Assessment to follow closure
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted today, June 26, to close the current recreational, 7-days-per-week red snapper season at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 8.
After the closure, the Commission will monitor red snapper landings through the LA Creel survey and consider options for potential additional recreational harvest opportunities.
If Louisiana’s quota is not met, the Commission has given the authority to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet to reopen red snapper season the first weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) of each month beginning in August, until recreational landings approach or reach Louisiana’s annual private recreational allocation of 743,000 pounds.
After considering the rate of landings and LDWF biologists’ recommendations, the LWFC believes this is the best decision for Louisiana anglers. This action will extend recreational red snapper fishing opportunities into the summer if the numbers allow.
“The department appreciates the help of Louisiana anglers for responding to voluntary surveys to determine accurate and reliable harvest estimates through the LA Creel program,” said LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet. “Their help will be crucial in determining when we should consider closing the season.”
The latest catch statistics recorded by LA Creel, the LDWF’s near real-time data collection program is 275,723 pounds, or 38 percent of Louisiana’s allocation. This covers the period through June 10.
Size and bag limits will remain at 16 inches and 2 fish per person, per day.
