Since 2004, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and individual volunteers and organizations have successfully removed and disposed of over 57,000 abandoned and derelict crab traps. Removing these crab traps is especially important to boating safety and crab harvesting efforts.

In August 2024, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) allowing the removal of derelict crab traps along Louisiana’s coast from the five following described areas in 2025:

 

  1. The first closure will occur in the Pontchartrain Basin, west of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, from 12 a.m. February 1, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. February 14, 2025.
  2. The second closure will occur in the Vermilion-Teche Basin, all waters north of Marsh Island, from 12 a.m. February 1, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. February 14, 2025.
  3. The third closure will occur in the Barataria Basin, south of Lafitte, from 12 a.m. February 8, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. February 21, 2025.
  4. The fourth closure will occur in the Terrebonne Basin, between Dulac and Cocodrie, extending to the shrimp inside-outside line, from 12 a.m. February 15, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. February 28, 2025.
  5. The fifth closure will occur in the Calcasieu Basin, the northern half of Calcasieu Lake, from 12 a.m. February 17, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. February 26, 2025.

 Please click here to view maps of the designated closure areas.

All crab traps within the derelict crab trap removal areas are prohibited during the closure period.  Any crab traps that remain in the closure areas are subject to removal and disposal.  Crab traps may be removed between one-half hour before sunrise and one-half hour after sunset. Only LDWF or those designated by LDWF will be authorized to remove derelict crab traps in the closure areas.  Abandoned traps must be brought to LDWF-designated disposal sites.

These trap removal regulations do not provide authorization for access to private property. Authorization to access private property can only be provided by individual landowners.

For more information on the Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program, go to http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/derelict-crab-trap-removal, or contact Peyton Cagle at 337-491-2213 or pcagle@wlf.la.gov.