Catch and release in closed areas
 

LDWF MODIFIES RECREATIONAL CLOSURES TO ALLOW CATCH AND RELEASE FISHING FOR FINFISH

Release Date: 07/06/2010
In an effort to stimulate economic activity in coastal Louisiana, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Robert Barham announced a modification to the state waters fishing closures to allow the recreational catch and release of finfish in closed areas effective immediately, today, July 6, 2010.
Recreational catch-and-release fishing is allowed as long as no finfish are possessed in the closed area. This modification is limited to finfish only and does not apply to other species such as shrimp, crabs, and other non-finfish species.
Fishermen can continue to transit through the closed areas with fish legally harvested from open waters but may not fish in a closed area while possessing any species of fish.
"Even at this critical time, we want to offer our anglers every opportunity to continue to enjoy the sport," said Barham. "This option has been on the table for some time now and is part of our ongoing effort to be proactive as we continue to write the play book on this event."
While participating in catch and release fishing, the department urges interested anglers to sign up for the Louisiana Cooperative Marine Sport Fish Tagging Program. Through this program, volunteer anglers provide information that is difficult, often impossible, and expensive to obtain by other means. For additional information, interested anglers can contact fishtags@wlf.louisiana.gov.
For more information related to the oil spill, visit http://www.emergency.louisiana.gov. Connect with us on www.facebook.com/GOHSEP and on Twitter as @GOHSEP. View photos from the state's response efforts at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lagohsep.
For more information please contact Ashley Wethey at awethey@wlf.la.gov or 225.721.0489
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man if this is true this is awsome but i dont think 99% of the people in la are capable of throwin fish back

I know I'm not. I like fishing but if I'm gonna throw em back or come home with nothing, I'd rather just hit a pond. Im not for spending $100+ to come back with nothing

you know some stupid mofo will be eating them lol but this is a good deal for the SE people for sure....

Haha thats the truth :D

man i just saw it on the wl&f website !! this is awsome! tag them fish boys!!!

That's awesome! Screw it! It's better than nothing. AND.. u don't even have to worry about cleaning them.

Tags haven't came in yet :cry:

if they dont come in soon or if BL closes call me ill send you 25 or so

Is there for all closed areas?

that is what i gather ...... state waters not fed

well, at least its a step in the right direcion, but I think as long as your not getting in the way of the actual cleanup process, you should be able to fish and keep your fish and eat your fish at your own risk. Chances are if you get some bad tastin fish,you wont keep them the next time.

i know i fished breton island 2 weeks ago IN open water and was told you CANNOT fish within 500ft of the booms .....dont know if this is still the case

stay tuned for news from CCA for info on how to compete in STAR within the catch & release zones. Tagged redfish will be eligible.......