The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) will reopen the oyster season in designated portions of the Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation to allow harvest for sacking only (larger than 3 inches). Current harvest estimates from required daily reporting indicate that oyster resource remains available in Sister Lake, and this reopening will allow for continued harvest on these reefs. The following dates were set for the reopening of the oyster season:
- The Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservation will reopen for sacking only of market-size oysters one-half hour before sunrise on Thursday, March 12, 2026, and close at one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, April 4, 2026, EXCEPT for the following area that shall remain closed:
- The 2025 Sister Lake Cultch Plant with the following coordinates:
- 29 degrees 14 minutes 22.94 seconds, -90 degrees 55 minutes 25.09 seconds
- 29 degrees 14 minutes 40.10 seconds, -90 degrees 54 minutes 11.51 seconds
- 29 degrees 14 minutes 01.18 seconds, -90 degrees 55 minutes 20.90 seconds
- 29 degrees 14 minutes 14.40 seconds, -90 degrees 54 minutes 00.36 seconds.
- The 2025 Sister Lake Cultch Plant with the following coordinates:
During the 2025-26 oyster season, the following provisions will be in effect:
- Every vessel harvesting oysters from public oyster areas, seed grounds, and reservations for oyster resource shall report harvest information to the LDWF no later than 9 p.m. each day fished. Vessels shall provide the following information: Captain’s name, date of harvest, oyster harvester number, vessel number, the total number of sacks harvested that day, total barrels of seed removed, and the LDH Harvest Area fished. Electronic Reporting shall be required and shall be through the eReporting application via smart phone. The eReporting app is supported by both iOS and Android. Fishers will need to download the app from these links at the Apple Store or Google Play Store, then create an account using an email. The registration page requires name, commercial fishing license number and type of license to register. Once the account is created, the fisher will add their vessels. Follow this link for more information on the eReporting app and how to use it. This reporting does not substitute for trip ticket reporting.
- Any vessel from which any person(s) takes or attempts to take oysters from the public oyster seed reservation described above shall be limited to a daily take not to exceed 30 whole sacks of oysters per vessel. A sack of oysters for the purposes of this Declaration of Emergency shall be defined as the size described in R.S. 56:440. If sacks smaller than the size described in R.S. 56:440 are used, the daily harvest and possession limit shall be based on the number of sacks used, not the size of the sack or other measures.
- This opening is limited to harvesting only market oysters for direct sale (sacking).
- If any person on a vessel takes or attempts to take oysters from the public oyster reservation described above, all oysters contained on that vessel will be deemed to have been taken from said seed reservation from the time harvest begins until all oysters are off-loaded dockside.
- All oysters harvested from the public oyster seed reservation for the purpose of market must be uncontaminated, sealed, and not gaping.
- All oysters harvested from the public oyster seed reservation for the purpose of market sales must measure a minimum of 3 inches from hinge to bill.
- All vessels located in the public oyster seed reservation during those times between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise must have all oyster scrapers unshackled.
The Secretary of the Department was authorized by the Commission to set closure dates and adjust sack limits and/or sacking-only areas based on biological harvest data or if enforcement issues are encountered. The Secretary is also authorized to take emergency action to reopen areas previously closed if the threat to the resource has ended and to open public areas if substantial oyster resources are located.
Public notice of any opening, delay or closing of a season will be provided at least 72 hours prior to such action, unless the Louisiana Department of Health orders such closure for public concerns.
For 2025-2026 oyster season maps, click here.
For more information, contact Robert Caballero at rcaballero@wlf.la.gov or 504-286-4054.