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As leisure anglers in Louisiana acclimate to the brand new speckled trout rules which have been imposed on them, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Fee is constant its push to tighten restrictions on redfish. In November, the legislature voted down a call by the Fee to implement a brand new restrict of three fish between 18 and 24 inches with no harvesting of bull reds allowed. This previous week the WLFC handed a Discover of Intent (NOI) to suggest a 3-fish every day bag restrict for redfish between 18 and 27 inches with no bull reds permitted. Additionally, constitution guides wouldn’t be allowed to catch their restrict. The present rules permit 5 redfish between 16 and 27 inches with one fish over 27 inches. The amended NOI will now go earlier than the general public for a remark interval after which be despatched again to the legislature for oversight. 

As soon as once more, LDWF is asking leisure anglers in Louisiana to touch upon the brand new restrictions. Nevertheless, it’s blatantly clear that the remark session is extra of an appeasement session meant to present the impression that the LDWF cares about what leisure fishermen suppose. It’s due to this that frustration amongst leisure fishermen is rising after the state put in a closed season on flounder simply final yr and the tighter restrictions on speckled trout final month.

Roland Gardner has fished Southeast Louisiana for over 50 years, Gardner mentioned he’s seen ebbs and flows in redfish harvests by the years. “To take a number of down years and write new regulation to restrict leisure fishermen is only a knee-jerk response. I wouldn’t be stunned if some environmentalists received to them and put forth an agenda to scale back limits on all species. It’s not going to cease with flounder, specks, and redfish,” Gardner mentioned.

Jeff Dempster believes what’s taking place on the East Coast of the county is coming to the Gulf of Mexico. “They need us all off the water to have the Gulf all to themselves. That is only the start. Have a look at what’s occurring alongside the East Coast with the windmills. They’re killing whales and placing lobster fishermen out of enterprise. You may wager your final fed coin they’ve their eyes on the Gulf,” Dempster mentioned. 

Leisure fishermen are inspired to voice their issues by emailing the division at feedback@wlf.la.gov. Additionally, there shall be a one-time public listening to on proposed adjustments on January 22. 2024, at 10 a.m. within the Joe L. Herring Louisiana Room of the Wildlife and Fisheries Headquarters Constructing, 2000 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70808. 

The assembly shall be open to the general public to permit for the submission of oral feedback on the proposed amendments. To view the amended NOI and the unique NOI go to: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sources/class/commission-action-items