Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Considering Raising Red Drum Limits

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries is considering changing the daily limit on red drum fish. (aka, Redfish.)

Right now the limit is three. If approved, fishermen will be allowed to take four.

The commission chose to maintain the red drum size limit of 18-inch minimum and 27-inch maximum total length.

“The retention of any red drum above the maximum size limit of 27 inches total length and the retention of red drum by captain and crew on charter or head boats while on a for-hire trip will be prohibited,” said LDWF in a press release.

Captains and crew would still be able to show their customers how to catch them but can't keep any themselves.

The reason behind the proposed changes?

From the LDWF press release:

The proposed changes result from biological data that indicate the red drum stock is experiencing overfishing resulting in an escapement rate below the 30 percent minimum limit, leading to a declining biomass. In order to increase the escapement rate, help the population return to stable reproductive levels, and avoid the stock biomass declining to an overfished condition, management changes are necessary.

When could these changes go into effect?

First, there will be a one-time public hearing on the proposed substantive changes. That will take place at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on April 29, 2024, at 10:00 am in the Joe L. Herring Louisiana Room of the Wildlife and Fisheries Headquarters Building, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808.

If approved, this is just the first step in approving the changes. A final ruling can take between 90 days and one year.

The more you know.

For more information on the status of Red Drum, visit the Department's Red Drum webpage: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/hot-topic-red-drum.