Printable VersionAug. 30, 2011 -- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reminds anyone using coastal wildlife management areas (WMA) with designated limited access areas (LAAs) that operation of boats with internal combustion engines, within those LAAs, is prohibited. The use of electric trolling motors will be allowed within the LAAs, however.
Two additional WMAs, Joyce and Manchac, have been added to the four LAAs established last hunting season to minimize disturbance to waterfowl, to aid in the protection of available habitat and to provide a better quality hunting experience for waterfowl hunters.
The areas delineated as LAAs on Atchafalaya Delta, Manchac, Pass a Loutre, Pointe aux Chenes and Salvador WMAs will be restricted from the first of September through the end of January. The restrictions at Joyce WMA will be in effect year round.
LAAs are posted with signage at access points and around the perimeter. Any vessel with a movable outdrive system may enter a LAA as long as the boat’s internal combustion engine is trimmed up out of the water in an inoperable position. Vessels with fixed props must adhere to the no operation rule. Trolling motors may be used to access and navigate within a LAA while hunting or fishing.
| WMA | Acres | LAA (acres) | Effective Dates |
| Atchafalaya Delta | 137,695 | 3,250 | Sept. 1 - Jan 31. |
| Joyce | 27,847 | 237 | Year Round |
| Manchac | 8,325 | 536 | Sept.1 - Jan. 31 |
| Pass a Loutre | 110,491 | 1,945 | Sept. 1 - Jan. 31 |
| Pointe aux Chenes | 35,227 | 4,689 | Sept. 1 - Jan. 31 |
| Salvador-Timken | 33,047 | 3,000 | Sept.1 - Jan. 31 |
To view and download a map of any WMA with a LAA, go to: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma
Anyone with questions on vessel operation within a LAA can call LDWF’s Enforcement Division Region 8 in New Orleans at 504-284-2023 or Region 6 in Thibodaux at 985-447-0821 during weekday business hours, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. To report violation of LAA rules, call 1-800-442-2511 toll free at any time.
For more information, contact Bo Boehringer at 225-765-5115 or bboehringer@wlf.la.gov or Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.