As the cold sun bids farewell to the horizon on January 26, 2026, the fall inshore shrimp season is set to shutter in a swath of Louisiana state waters. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has marked the calendar; shrimpers will have to haul in their nets one last time before this section of the Gulf turns quiet. The state agency announced the closure after sampling indicated that the white shrimp populating these waters were too small to meet the legal catch size, as reported by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
The closure, which takes effect at official sunset, will not apply to all state waters. Open waters in Breton and Chandeleur Sounds will remain accessible, as defined by the double-rig line in regional regulations. Officials said the temporary shutdown is intended to give juvenile shrimp time to grow to commercially viable sizes, in line with Louisiana law that sets minimum possession limits. Current shrimping catches are falling short of those requirements, prompting the closure. The move is designed to protect shrimp populations while supporting the long-term sustainability of the state’s seafood industry.
The department's sampling efforts dictate when the proverbial "open" sign flickers on and off for shrimping in state waters. No closures beyond the specified regions have been warranted yet, but with eyes on the water and data in hand, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is poised to make the call if and when necessary. The department will notify the public at least 72 hours in advance before any regulatory changes are made, which allows shrimpers some lead time to adjust their plans and also allows the public to prepare for the impact on local markets and coastal economies.
For shrimpers seeking more information, or anyone following the seasonal shifts of Louisiana’s shrimping industry, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has posted detailed maps of the closure on its shrimp season webpage. Additional questions can be directed to Konner Lockfield with LDWF at (504) 286-4184 or via email at [email protected].
