The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces that the 2025 fall inshore shrimp season will close in a portion of state waters as follows:
- The portion of Zone 1 from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the eastern shore of South Pass of the Mississippi River to close at official sunset on December 15, 2025, except for the following areas:
- Lake Pontchartrain, Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, a section of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in Orleans parish from the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway East Closure Sector Gate westward to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway intersection with the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, and the open waters of Breton and Chandeleur Sounds as bounded by the double-rig line described in R.S. 56:495.1(A)2.
- The portion of Zone 2 from the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel at Eugene Island as delineated by the red Channel Buoy Line westward to the western shore of Freshwater Bayou Canal to close at official sunset on December 15, 2025.
The remaining portion of Zone 2 from South Pass to the Atchafalaya River Ship Channel at Eugene Island as delineated by the red Channel Buoy Line, which includes the Barataria, Terrebonne and Timbalier basins, shall remain open.
- The entirety of Zone 3, which is the area from the western shore of Freshwater Bayou Canal westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line to close at official sunset on December 15, 2025.
All state outside waters seaward of the Inside/Outside Shrimp Line, as described in LAC 76:VII.370, will remain open to shrimping until further notice.
Recent biological sampling conducted by the department indicates that the average white shrimp size in portions of the state's inside waters is smaller than the minimum possession limit allowed by law. A closure is needed to protect the small white shrimp in these waters and to provide an opportunity for them to grow to larger, more valuable sizes. R.S. 56:498 provides that the possession count on saltwater white shrimp for each cargo lot shall average no more than 100 (whole specimens) per pound except during the time period from October 15 through the third Monday in December.
Existing data do not currently support shrimping closures in additional state inside and outside waters. The department will continue monitoring the remaining open areas and close those waters when biologically appropriate. Notice of any opening, delaying or closing of a season by the secretary will be made by public notice at least 72 hours prior to such action.
See the map above detailing this closure, or click to view the LDWF shrimp season webpage for current shrimp season information.
For more information, contact Konner Lockfield at (504) 286-4184 or klockfield@wlf.la.gov.