New Redfish Rules Go into Impact for LA Anglers on June 20

The Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries is turning into adept at decreasing saltwater fish limits. Over the previous 5 years, leisure anglers in Louisiana have witnessed the enactment of a flounder season and a discount in speckled trout limits. Now, the Division has introduced a discount in redfish limits. That is the primary adjustment to the redfish restrict because the Eighties. Beginning June 20, 2024, leisure anglers in Louisiana will solely be capable to maintain 4 redfish, together with different measurement changes.

The brand new restrictions have been hotly debated amongst leisure fishermen and constitution captains, who argue that the Division is reacting too rapidly to their newest evaluation. The evaluation, introduced to the state’s Wildlife and Fisheries Fee by biologists, indicated {that a} 35% discount in catch was wanted to replenish the redfish inventory. The evaluation additionally confirmed:

• The redfish inventory just isn’t overfished however is taken into account depleted, that means overfishing is going on.
• Overfishing has ceaselessly occurred in the latest decade (80% of the time).
• The spawning potential started trending downward in 2005.
• Current leisure landings are on the lowest stage noticed because the Eighties.
• The present redfish recruitment estimate is on the lowest stage ever noticed and has been declining since 1994.

The adjustments embody:

• A restrict of 4 fish per day per angler, in comparison with the present 5.
• A minimal measurement of 18 inches, in comparison with the present 16 inches.
• A most measurement of 27 inches, which stays the identical, however the present allowance of 1 fish over that measurement shall be eradicated.
• Constitution captains and crews on for-hire journeys is not going to be allowed to maintain redfish.

Moreover, the harvesting of redfish by captains and crew on constitution or head boats throughout for-hire journeys shall be prohibited. Whereas constitution captains and crew can nonetheless fish to reveal methods for catching crimson drum, they won’t be allowed to retain any crimson drum towards the vessel’s restrict.

The LDWF said that these adjustments are being enacted to make sure the sustainability and well being of the crimson drum inhabitants in Louisiana waters. For extra data on the standing of the crimson drum inventory, please go to the Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award profitable out of doors journalist that resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly out of doors column for the Slidell Impartial Newspaper. He additionally writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Fee’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He’s the previous host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Present and is on the board of the Louisiana Out of doors Writers Affiliation. Keith contributes to quite a few publications each on-line and in print and prides himself on selling South Louisiana’s distinctive fishery. To contact Keith e-mail: keithlusherjr@gmail.com