Red Snapper (photo courtesy of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries)
Starting tomorrow, the red snapper bag limit will be increased to five fish per person for the Fourth of July weekend. LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth says he hopes it will encourage families to get out on the water and enjoy America’s 250th birthday.
“What better time, than America’s 250th, to up that bag limit to five; give people an opportunity to go out on the water with their friends and family and recreate and try and catch this wonderful resource that we have,” Bosworth, said.
The usual bag limit for red snapper is four, and the season lasts until November. Bosworth says fishing typically becomes less popular as we get into winter, so the red snapper population can support some extra harvesting now.
“As long as the numbers and the landing estimates dictate that we’re going to make it through Labor Day and still have available opportunity under our quota, then we will look to increase those bag numbers,” Bosworth noted.
The declaration of emergency will last through this Sunday before reverting back to the normal four-fish limit. Bosworth says he hopes fishing is on the agenda for your Independence Day weekend.
“I just want to encourage everybody to go out on the water. If you’re going to go out, please be safe, please do it in a safe operating manner. We have the best fishery in the country. I encourage people to bring your friends and family out there,” Bosworth said.
Those who’d like to fish offshore will need a recreational offshore landing permit, which you can get for free on the LDWF website, wlf.louisiana.gov.
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