Anglers along the Louisiana coastline might want to plan their next fishing trip sooner rather than later if they're hoping to snag some Red Snapper this season. According to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the recreational landings of Red Snapper have reached 805,453 pounds— which is a whopping 90% of the state's yearly allowance.
Fishermen are being warned to pay attention to the rapidly depleting quota, as the department has signaled an imminent halt to the Red Snapper season which could be set off as early as September 28th or during the initial days of October, depending on the incoming weekly LA Creel statistics, which monitor the catch in near real-time. With the allocation almost hitting its cap, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is nudging recreational fishers to hit the water while the opportunity persists, given that the season will be called to an end once the landings hit or surpass the annual quota.
Red Snapper fishing has been open since May 1 in both state and federal waters. Anglers can fish every day of the week, with a limit of four Red Snapper per person per day. Each fish must be at least 16 inches long. To take part, you need a valid Louisiana recreational fishing license. This includes both the Basic and Saltwater licenses, plus a free Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) if you want to catch or keep Red Snapper and other offshore fish, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Whether you're a state or federal charter boat captain, there are rules about where and when you can fish. State-licensed captains can fish within 9 nautical miles, but only if they don’t have a federal permit. However, after the federal season closed on September 16, these state captains can’t fish for Red Snapper anymore—even in state waters. Captains with a federal permit were allowed to fish in federal waters from June 1 until the season ended. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is also encouraging responsible fishing. They recommend using descending devices to help safely release Red Snapper that aren't kept, reducing injury from barotrauma. More info is available on their barotrauma website.
