Printable VersionImportant Information
May 17, 2013
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is extending the probationary opening of a section of beach along Elmer’s Island refuge for 30 additional days. The open section remains the same, and includes the area at the end of the access road and continues approximately 0.5 miles to the east. Areas that will remain closed will be clearly marked.
Road access to Elmer’s Island beach opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset seven days a week. Night-time access on the island remains closed and camping on the beach is strictly prohibited.
The only fishing activity allowed in the area is recreational, rod, and reel (hook and line) fishing for finfish. On September 4, 2012, LDWF announced an emergency closure of coastal waters due to the emergence of a large tar mat and concentrations of tar balls on adjacent beaches, including the area of Elmer’s Island. The following activities are prohibited:
- All commercial fishing
- Recreational harvest of shrimp, crabs and oysters.
- Camping
- Night-time access
The harvest of live bait by wholesale/retail seafood dealers who hold a special bait dealers permit and who harvest live bait for sale to recreational fishermen exclusively is also permitted.
Although the beach will be open for day-time public access, workers and state officials will continue to monitor the shoreline in order to continue to respond to oiling impacts. The probationary opening will be assessed after a period of 30 days, and is subject to reconsideration. Any sightings of oil should be reported to LDWF at (800) 442-2511 and the National Response Center (NRC) at (800) 424-8802.
For a map detailing the specific areas open click here: (link is below)
For more information regarding this probationary opening, please contact Julia Lightner at jlightner@wlf.la.gov or (504) 286-4041. For future updates on the probationary opening of Elmer’s Island beach, please visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/.
April 18, 2013
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is extending the probationary opening of a section of beach along Elmer’s Island refuge for 30 additional days. The open section remains the same, and includes the area at the end of the access road and continues approximately 0.5 miles to the east. Areas that will remain closed will be clearly marked.
Road access to Elmer’s Island beach opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset seven days a week. Night-time access on the island remains closed and camping on the beach is strictly prohibited.
The only fishing activity allowed in the area is recreational, rod, and reel (hook and line) fishing for finfish. On September 4, 2012, LDWF announced an emergency closure of coastal waters due to the emergence of a large tar mat and concentrations of tar balls on adjacent beaches, including the area of Elmer’s Island. The following activities are prohibited:
- All commercial fishing
- Recreational harvest of shrimp, crabs and oysters.
- Camping
- Night-time access
The harvest of live bait by wholesale/retail seafood dealers who hold a special bait dealers permit and who harvest live bait for sale to recreational fishermen exclusively is also permitted.
Although the beach will be open for day-time public access, workers and state officials will continue to monitor the shoreline in order to continue to respond to oiling impacts. The probationary opening will be assessed after a period of 30 days, and is subject to reconsideration. Any sightings of oil should be reported to LDWF at (800) 442-2511 and the National Response Center (NRC) at (800) 424-8802.
For a map detailing the specific areas open click here: (link is below)
For more information regarding this probationary opening, please contact Julia Lightner at jlightner@wlf.la.gov or (504) 286-4041. For future updates on the probationary opening of Elmer’s Island beach, please visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/.
March 20, 2013
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is extending the probationary opening of a section of beach along Elmer’s Island refuge for a period of 30 additional days. The open section remains the same, and includes the area at the end of the access road and continues approximately 0.5 miles to the east. Areas that will remain closed will be clearly marked.
Road access to Elmer’s Island beach opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset seven days a week. Night-time access on the island remains closed and camping on the beach is strictly prohibited.
The only fishing activity allowed in the area is recreational, rod and reel (hook and line) fishing for finfish. On September 4, 2012, LDWF announced an emergency closure of coastal waters due to the emergence of a large tar mat and concentrations of tar balls on adjacent beaches, including the area of Elmer’s Island.
The following activities are prohibited:
- All commercial fishing
- Recreational harvest of shrimp, crabs and oysters.
- Camping
- Night-time access
The harvest of live bait by wholesale/retail seafood dealers who hold a special bait dealers permit and who harvest live bait for sale to recreational fishermen exclusively is also permitted.
Although the beach will be open for day-time public access, workers and state officials will continue to monitor the shoreline in order to continue to respond to oiling impacts. The probationary opening will be assessed after a period of 30 days (April 18, 2013), and is subject to reconsideration. Any sightings of oil should be reported to LDWF at (800) 442-2511 and the National Response Center (NRC) at (800) 424-8802.
For a map detailing the specific areas open click HERE.
For more information regarding this probationary opening, please contact Julia Lightner at jlightner@wlf.la.gov or (504) 286-4041. For future updates on the probationary opening of Elmer’s Island beach, please visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/.
March 1, 2013
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is extending the probationary opening of a section of beach along Elmer’s Island refuge for a period of 20 days. The open section remains the same, and includes the area at the end of the access road and continues approximately 0.5 miles to the east. Areas that will remain closed will be clearly marked.
Road access to Elmer’s Island beach opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset seven days a week. Night-time access on the island remains closed and camping on the beach is strictly prohibited.
The only fishing activity allowed in the area is recreational, rod and reel (hook and line) fishing for finfish. On September 4, 2012, LDWF announced an emergency closure of coastal waters due to the emergence of a large tar mat and concentrations of tar balls on adjacent beaches, including the area of Elmer’s Island.
The following activities are prohibited:
- All commercial fishing
- Recreational harvest of shrimp, crabs and oysters.
- Camping
- Night-time access
The harvest of live bait by wholesale/retail seafood dealers who hold a special bait dealers permit and who harvest live bait for sale to recreational fishermen exclusively is also permitted.
Although the beach will be open for day-time public access, workers and state officials will continue to monitor the shoreline in order to continue to respond to oiling impacts. The probationary opening will be assessed after a period of 20 days, and is subject to reconsideration. Any sightings of oil should be reported to LDWF at (800) 442-2511 and the National Response Center (NRC) at (800) 424-8802.
For a map detailing the specific areas open click HERE.
For more information regarding this probationary opening, please contact Julia Lightner at jlightner@wlf.la.gov or (504) 286-4041. For future updates on the probationary opening of Elmer’s Island beach, please visit http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/.
February 19, 2013
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is temporarily opening a section of beach along the Elmer’s Island Refuge effective immediately. The open section will include the area at the end of the access road and continue approximately 0.5 miles to the east. Areas that will remain closed will be clearly marked.
After the opening, road access to Elmer’s Island opens 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes after sunset seven days a week. Night-time access and fishing on the island remain closed, and camping on the beach is strictly prohibited.
The refuge was closed on August 26, 2012 in anticipation of Hurricane Isaac, and has remained closed due to road conditions and continual oiling events. Elmer’s Island continues to experience re-oiling and heavy clean-up operations are ongoing. Clean-up areas will be clearly marked. Visitors are asked to exercise caution when accessing this area.
Although the beach will be open for day-time public access, workers and state officials will continue to monitor the shoreline in order to continue to respond to oiling impacts. The probationary opening will be assessed after a period of 10 days, and is subject to reconsideration. Any sightings of oil should be reported to LDWF at (800) 442-2511 and the National Response Center (NRC) at (800) 424-8802.
LDWF asks the public not to cross areas covered with water. Winds and wave energy from Hurricane Isaac created washovers which can be covered in water during high tides.
For a map detailing the specific areas open click HERE.
For more information please contact Julia Lightner at jlightner@wlf.la.gov or (504) 286-4041.
About the Island
Elmer's Island Wildlife Refuge, owned and maintained by the state of Louisiana, is a 230-acre tract of barrier beachfront located on the southwestern tip of Jefferson Parish. It is located directly across Caminada Pass from Grand Isle, LA.
The property, historically known as Goat Island and referred to as Elmer's Island since the 1970s, is well known for the excellent fishing opportunities it has provided over the years for many popular species such as speckled and white trout, flounder, redfish, channel mullet, black drum, croaker, Spanish mackerel and many other species that frequent the State's coastal beaches and passes. It also provides non-consumptive outdoor opportunities to observe wading, shore and seabirds as well as coastal marine life.
Management is provided by LDWF Marine Fisheries Division biologists and technicians stationed on Grand Isle. Additionally, the LDWF Enforcement Division patrols the property to ensure compliance with refuge regulations.
How to Get There
The public can access Elmer's Island Wildlife Refuge via an access road connecting La Hwy. 1 to the refuge beach area.
In addition, the department has installed concrete mats that extend for 680 feet beyond the existing roadway onto the beach and measure 16 feet in width with a small turning area located at the end. The mats were installed to provide convenient and safer beach travel.
Boat access to the island is an option for public day-use seven days a week. Those accessing the island via water can do so from 30 minutes before sunrise through 30 minutes after sunset.
Rules & Regulations
LDWF's Enforcement Division will enforce the following regulations, effective Oct. 1, 2009:
- Use of the refuge will be permitted from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. This includes any land access routes to the refuge. No person or vehicle shall remain on the refuge or any land access routes during the period from 30 minutes after official sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
- No person shall possess any glass bottles, glass drink containers or other glass products.
- No person shall enter onto or be on the grounds of the refuge during a restricted access period; or alternatively shall do so only in accordance with restrictions set forth by the Secretary.
- No person shall commercially fish, conduct any guiding service, hunt, pursue, kill, molest or intentionally disturb any type of wildlife on the refuge, except for the legal recreational harvest of living aquatic resources.
- No person shall be in areas marked as restricted by signs posted by the department.
- No person shall operate any vehicles in a restricted area. No person shall operate a vehicle in an unsafe or careless manner as to endanger life or property or at any speed in excess of five miles per hour.
- Non-consumptive users need no permits of any kind for beachcombing, picnicking, swimming, etc. Anyone fishing recreationally will need a fishing license if over the age of 16.
Protecting Resources
What can you do to help reduce marine litter?
- Take reusable items and less trash or throw-away containers to the beach.
- At the beach, be sure to recycle what you can and throw the rest of your trash away. Do not leave anything on the beach when you leave.
- Pick up debris that others have left.
- When fishing, take all nets, gear and other materials back onshore.
- If you smoke, take your butts with you, disposing of them in the trash.
- When boating, stow and secure all trash on the vessel.
- Participate in local clean-ups.
For more information, contact Julia Lightner at jlightner@wlf.la.gov or (504) 286-4041
