August 18, 2017 — Louisiana anglers will get another weekend of red snapper fishing as catch numbers are more than 250,000 pounds below the state’s self-imposed limit for 2017.
The latest statistics from the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries show 780,769 pounds of red snapper had been caught as of Aug. 6.
The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has ordered agency Secretary Jack Montoucet to close the season when it appears anglers will meet the state’s self-imposed limit of 1.04 million pounds.
Louisiana officials said they hope being accountable for the catch limit will help the state’s chances of receiving federal permission to manage its own red snapper season not just in state but in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico.