| Area/Public Ground | Season | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| East of MS River, North of MRGO (Sacking Only) | Opens November 13, 2023 (Closes April 1, 2024) | 30 sacks/vessel/day * |
| East of MS River, South of MRGO (Sacking Only) | Opens November 13, 2023 (Closes April 1, 2024) | 30 sacks/vessel/day* |
| Sister Lake, Vermilion/East and West Cote Blanche Bay/Atchafalaya Bay Public Oyster Seed Grounds – Bedding only | Opens October 9, 2023 (One day only) |
No more than 15% of non-living material allowed in bedding loads. |
| Sister Lake - Sacking | Opens October 10, 2023 (Closes October 30, 2023) |
30 sacks/vessel/day (take and possession) |
| Vermillion/East and West Cote Blanche Bay / Atchafalaya Bay Public Oyster Seed Grounds - Sacking | Opens November 13, 2023 (Closes April 1, 2024) |
30 sacks/vessel/day (take and possession) |
| Hackberry Bay, Lake Mechant, Bay Junop Public Oyster Seed Reservation, Lake Tambour, Lake Chien, Lake Felicity, Deep Lake, Barataria, Little Lake | Closed No Season | Closed No Season |
| Calcasieu Lake (West side) |
Opens October 15, 2023 | 15 sacks/vessel/day (take and possession)** |
| Calcasieu Lake (East side) |
Opens January 1, 2024 | 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 |
||
Oyster Season
New Regulations for the 2023-2024 Oyster Season:
- Every vessel harvesting oysters from the Public Oyster Areas for oyster resource shall report harvest information to the LDWF before 9 p.m. each day fished.
- Vessels shall provide the following information: Captain’s name, 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 will be done through the e-Reporting application via smart phone. The eReporting app is supported by both iOS and Android. Fishermen will need to download the app from 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 fisherman will add their vessels.
- The call option is still available to submit harvest reports at 1.800.442.2511. 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 2023-2024 oyster season was set on September 7, 2023, at the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting.
MAPS
For more information, contact Robert Caballero at rcaballero@wlf.la.gov or 504-286-4054.