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

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is becoming adept at reducing saltwater fish limits. Over the past five years, recreational anglers in Louisiana have witnessed the enactment of a flounder season and a reduction in speckled trout limits. Now, the Department has announced a reduction in redfish limits. This is the first adjustment to the redfish limit since the 1980s. Starting June 20, 2024, recreational anglers in Louisiana will only be able to keep four redfish, along with other size adjustments.

The new restrictions have been hotly debated among recreational fishermen and charter captains, who argue that the Department is reacting too quickly to their latest assessment. The assessment, presented to the state’s Wildlife and Fisheries Commission by biologists, indicated that a 35% reduction in catch was needed to replenish the redfish stock. The assessment also showed:

• The redfish stock is not overfished but is considered depleted, meaning overfishing is occurring.
• Overfishing has frequently occurred in the most recent decade (80% of the time).
• The spawning potential began trending downward in 2005.
• Recent recreational landings are at the lowest level observed since the 1980s.
• The current redfish recruitment estimate is at the lowest level ever observed and has been declining since 1994.

The changes include:

• A limit of four fish per day per angler, compared to the current five.
• A minimum size of 18 inches, compared to the current 16 inches.
• A maximum size of 27 inches, which remains the same, but the current allowance of one fish over that size will be eliminated.
• Charter captains and crews on for-hire trips will not be allowed to keep redfish.

Additionally, the harvesting of redfish by captains and crew on charter or head boats during for-hire trips will be prohibited. While charter captains and crew can still fish to demonstrate techniques for catching red drum, they will not be allowed to retain any red drum toward the vessel’s limit.

The LDWF stated that these changes are being enacted to ensure the sustainability and health of the red drum population in Louisiana waters. For more information on the status of the red drum stock, please visit the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Keith Lusher

Keith Lusher is an award winning outdoor journalist that resides in Covington, Louisiana. He owns and operates NorthshoreFishingReport.com and writes a weekly outdoor column for the Slidell Independent Newspaper. He also writes for the St.Tammany Parish Tourism Commission’s VisitTheNorthshore.com. He is the former host of The Northshore Fishing Report Radio Show and is on the board of the Louisiana Outdoor Writers Association. Keith contributes to numerous publications both online and in print and prides himself on promoting South Louisiana’s unique fishery. To contact Keith email: [email protected]