Louisiana Opens 2014 Recreational Red Snapper Season in State Waters

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the Louisiana weekend-only red snapper season will open on Friday, February 21, 2014, at 12:01 a.m. until further notice.

The “Louisiana-only” season

A weekend is defined as Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the exception of Memorial Day and Labor Day, when Monday will be classified as a weekend day as well.

The bag and possession limit for the state season is two fish per person at a 16-inch minimum total length.

LDWF Secretary Robert Barham was given the authority to modify red snapper recreational seasons and daily harvest limits by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in 2013.

The Louisiana Gulfward Boundary

In June 2012, the Commission took action to extend Louisiana state waters from three miles offshore to three marine leagues or approximately 9 nautical miles.

LDWF officials encourage fishermen to use caution and their own personal judgment when fishing beyond the three mile boundary that is currently recognized as federal waters, as it is fully expected that federal agents will continue to enforce federal law.  Until the time when the U.S. Congress confirms Louisiana’s action, the battle will continue over Louisiana’s state water boundary.

Recreational Offshore Landing Permit

The Department reminds anglers that a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit is required in order to possess certain species, including red snapper.  Anglers may obtain or renew the permit, free of charge at http://rolp.wlf.la.gov.  Permit renewals can be completed up to 30 days prior to expiration.

The permit is required for any angler possessing tuna, billfish, swordfish, amberjack, grouper, snapper, hind, wahoo, cobia and dolphin, except those fishing on a paid-for-hire trip where the captain holds a permit.

Updating Your Contact Information

As the Department continues to move forward with the Louisiana Recreational Creel Survey (LA Creel), a new survey provides real-time data collection and the best data available to fishery managers, we encourage anglers to verify and update their license database information. Simple instructions are available at http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/37374.

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries – Enforcement Division(LDWF) is the fish & game regulatory agency of Louisiana. It has jurisdictionanywhere in the state, and in state territorial waters. The agency enforces both state and federal laws dealing with hunting, fishing, and boating safety. The agency also enforces criminal laws in rural areas including DWI enforcement both on highways and waterways. Most of the Department’s Wildlife Agents also carry Federal law enforcement commissions issued from the United States Department of the Interior - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and United States Department of Commerce - U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). These federal commissions allow these state officers to enforce federal migratory waterfowl laws and federal marine fisheries laws in state and federal waters off the coast of Louisiana. Besides their traditional role as a “game warden”, Louisiana Wildlife Enforcement Agents also have a number of other responsibilities, including conducting board of health inspections on some portions of the state’s commercial fishing industry. Agents are trained in and conduct numerous search and rescue operations, both in remote land areas and on the state’s waterways. Agents ensure that hunters, anglers, boaters, dealers, breeders, farmers, and transporters are in compliance with regulations governing equipment, quotas, licenses, and registrations. Agents also assist other State departments and law enforcement agencies in the coordination of educational and professional endeavors, as well as national and state emergency alerts by the Federal Office of Emergency Preparedness. In addition, agents perform search and rescue missions alone or in conjunction with other local, state, and federal agencies.