| Area / Public Ground | Season | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| East of MS River, North of MRGO Sacking Only - 3 miles and Shell Point Cultch plants closed |
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 | Opens February 13, 2023 (Closes February 17, 2023) | 20 sacks/vessel/day |
| Lake Tambour, Lake Chien, Lake Felicity, Deep Lake, Barataria, Little Lake | No season | No season |
| Calcasieu Lake (West Cove) |
Opens October 15, 2022 Closes April 30, 2023 |
15 sacks/vessel/day (take and possession) ** |
| Calcasieu Lake (East side) |
Opens January 1, 2023 Closes April 30, 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 ***Season closure may occur sooner if harvest threshold is achieved | ||
Oyster Season
New Regulations for the 2022-2023 Oyster Season:
- Every vessel harvesting oysters from the Public Oyster Areas for market shall report harvest information to the LDWF before 9 pm each day fished.
- Vessels shall provide the following information: Captain’s name, oyster harvester number, boat number, the total number of full-sized sacks harvested that day, and the public oyster area fished.
- Call 1-800-442-2511 or oyster@wlf.la.gov to submit harvest reports. This reporting does not substitute for trip ticket reporting.
For more information, contact Robert Caballero at rcaballero@wlf.la.gov or 504.286.4054
Commercial and recreational oyster seasons are the same. No one may harvest oysters at night (one-half hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise), from public oyster areas nor private leases.
LDWF manages approximately 1.7 million acres of public oyster areas in Louisiana. Every July, LDWF takes a census of the oysters found on public areas. Biologists collect and record data from hundreds of oyster samples across Louisiana’s coast. They use these data to estimate the oyster stock size and recommend when the annual season for public oyster areas should be. This season typically runs from the first Wednesday following Labor Day in September through April 30 of the following year. However, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission can open and close the season when biological data indicate a need. For the most current status, see the information below.
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.
The owner of a private oyster lease or his duly-authorized agents may fish oysters on the lease throughout the year, unless it is closed by LDH.
Current Status of Public Oyster Areas
The 2022-2023 oyster season was set on September 1, 2022, at the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting.
Maps
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.