2022-2023 Statewide Oyster Season Map

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission set the 2022-2023 oyster season based on the annual oyster stock assessment provided by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and comments received from members of the public, including the oyster industry.
 
The following dates were set for the upcoming oyster season:

The Louisiana Department of Health may periodically close areas for public health concerns. Check LDH’s website or call 800.256.2775 for more information.

 During the 2022-23 oyster season, the following provisions will be in effect:

The following areas will remain closed for the entire 2022-23 oyster season:

  1. The Sister Lake Public Oyster Seed Reservations Public Oyster Seed Ground as described in R.S. 56:434.
  2. The 2022 Drum Bay Cultch Plant with the following coordinates:

North Plant

29° 53' 24.837", -89° 17' 08.500"

29° 53' 50.990", -89° 16' 30.541"

29° 54' 12.658", -89° 16' 43.889"

29° 53' 55.360", -89° 17' 30.601"

South Plant

29° 52' 32.400", -89° 19' 18.340"

29° 52' 36.238", -89° 18' 40.818"

29° 53' 07.579", -89° 19' 36.541"

29° 53' 18.409", -89° 19' 07.703"

  1. Lake Tambour, Lake Chien, Lake Felicity, Deep Lake and Barataria Bay Public Oyster Seed Grounds as described in LAC 76:VII:517.
  2. The Little Lake Public Oyster Seed Grounds as described in LAC 76:VII.521.
  3. Oyster harvest on the Sabine Lake Public Oyster Area is prohibited as described in R.S. 56:435.1.
  4. The Calcasieu Lake artificial reef with the following coordinates:

29° 53’ 16.5” N, 93o 16’ 56.9” W

29° 53’ 16.4” N, 93o 16’ 34.8” W

29° 52’ 57.2” N, 93o 16’ 34.7” W

29° 52’ 57.2” N, 93o 16’ 56.8” W

 

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 close, or 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 such closure is ordered by the Louisiana Department of Health for public concerns.

 

Public Oyster Area Season Opening (One-half hour before sunrise) Season Closing (one-half hour after sunset)
Open areas may periodically be closed by LDH for public health concerns.
East of MS River, North of MRGO (Sacking Only) Opens October 18, 2022
 (Closes April 1, 2023)
 30 sacks/vessel/day *
(take and possession) 
East of MS River, South of MRGO (Sacking Only) Opens October 18, 2022
 (Closes April 1, 2023)
 30 sacks/vessel/day*
(take and possession) 
Hackberry Bay, Lake Mechant and Bay Junop Public Oyster Seed Reservation, Vermilion/East and West Cote Blanche Bay/Atchafalaya Bay Public Oyster Seed Grounds – Bedding only Opens October 17, 2022
(One day only)
No more than 15% of non-living material allowed in bedding loads.
Hackberry Bay, Lake Mechant, Bay Gardene and Bay Junop Public Oyster Seed Reservation, Vermilion/East and West Cote Blanche Bay/Atchafalaya Bay Public Oyster Seed Grounds-  Sacking only  Opens October 18, 2022
 (Closes April 1, 2023)
30 sacks/vessel/day* 
Sister Lake, Lake Tambour, Lake Chien, Lake Felicity, Deep Lake, Barataria, Little Lake No Season  No Season 
Calcasieu Lake
(West Cove)
Opens October 15, 2022  15 sacks/vessel/day
(take and possession) **
Calcasieu Lake
(East side)
Opens January 1, 2023 5 sacks/vessel/day
(take and possession)**

* The possession limit shall be twice the daily limit. 
**No more than 15 sacks of oysters per vessel per day for the entire Calcasieu Lake. No scrapers: Tong or hand only 

 For 2022-2023 oyster season maps, click here.
 
For more information, contact Carolina Bourque at cbourque@wlf.la.gov or 337-735-8726.