New Redfish Regulations Go into Effect for LA Anglers on June 20

The Louisiana Division of Wildlife and Fisheries is changing into adept at lowering 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 for the reason that Nineteen Eighties. Beginning June 20, 2024, leisure anglers in Louisiana will solely have the ability 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 shortly to their newest evaluation. The evaluation, offered 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 will not be overfished however is taken into account depleted, that means overfishing is going on.
• Overfishing has steadily occurred in the newest decade (80% of the time).
• The spawning potential started trending downward in 2005.
• Current leisure landings are on the lowest degree noticed for the reason that Nineteen Eighties.
• The present redfish recruitment estimate is on the lowest degree 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 might be eradicated.
• Constitution captains and crews on for-hire journeys won’t be allowed to maintain redfish.

Moreover, the harvesting of redfish by captains and crew on constitution or head boats throughout for-hire journeys might be prohibited. Whereas constitution captains and crew can nonetheless fish to exhibit methods for catching pink drum, they won’t be allowed to retain any pink 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 pink drum inhabitants in Louisiana waters. For extra data on the standing of the pink drum inventory, please go to the Louisiana Department 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 Outside 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