John K. Flores: Anglers can live with new redfish rules

Since 1988 Louisiana’s redfish anglers, much to the envy of neighboring states, have enjoyed a five-fish limit with a slot size of 16 to 27 inches. What’s more, one of the five keepers was allowed to be over 27 inches. These limits at the time were necessary to maintain fish stocks.
However, since 2005 studies began to show a declining redfish population, where in 2023 the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission began to act, eventually issuing a Notice of Intent to change redfish regulations on July 7, 2023.
For many this initial NOI was quite draconian where it reduced the limit from five to three redfish. Additionally, the slot size the three fish had to fall into was narrowed and set at 18 to 24 inches. The commission also eliminated the allowable one redfish over 27 inches long.
To say these changes didn’t sit well with recreational anglers and the commercial sport fish industry was an understatement. The economic impact of fresh and saltwater angling in Louisiana’s world class fishery exceeds a billion dollars annually.
To think those voices wouldn’t be heard is total nonsense. In early November, the Louisiana House Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Environment voted 8-2 the regulations proposed in the NOI were unacceptable.
An amended NOI was subsequently issued Dec. 7, 2023, setting the limit at three redfish with an 18- to 27-inch slot and no fish over 27 inches long allowed.
Now, three months later, on March 8, the NOI has been amended again following a series of public meetings. This latest NOI has set the slot limit at 18 to 27 inches with a four-fish limit and no fish over 27 inches.
Essentially, the original intent according to LDWF biologists, would have restored redfish populations to acceptable management levels by 2034. The second NOI would have reset that date to 2050.
Redfish are estuary dependent. In general, redfish anglers typically catch fish in the three-year-old range. The problem with that is once these fish reach 26 inches, they are ready to move offshore, where they can begin to spawn.
The LDWF refers to this as escapement rate. Escapement rate is the percentage of redfish that pass through the recreational fishery from inshore waters to offshore waters as fish that can spawn. The escapement rate is set at 30 percent by the LDWF. Currently, the rate stands at approximately 20 percent.
So where do people stand with the latest redfish NOI? Britt Cavalier is a Houma business owner who, anecdotally speaking, has seen a decline in redfish.
Cavalier, who fishes in both the Cocodrie and the Dularge area said, “Ten years ago you could easily troll the banks and catch a limit of reds almost effortlessly. Now, it’s a little more difficult. You can still pull up to a hole and catch as many as you want, but I don’t see near the amount of fish on the banks as we used to.”
“Ten years ago, when you went bow fishing you didn’t see another boat all night,” Cavalier continued. “Now, maybe it’s coincidence, but I think one or two boats compared to 10 plus trolling the same marsh every night, picking off every redfish they see is having an impact.”
Bill Lake, owner/operator of Bayou Guide Service in Houma, says bull reds are plentiful and the LDWF should leave the one redfish over 27 inch regulation as is.
Sal Fontana, owner/operator of Gotcha Hooked Guide Service, says changing the redfish limits is a very touchy subject. What’s more, the New Orleans area guide says there are many reasons that caused the problem.
Fontana said, “Everyone wants to put restrictions by creating a new limit and thinking that alone is the answer and will correct the problem. Just reducing the limit without correcting the root causes will do no good.”
Jared Broussard, owner/operator of Du’ South Fishing Charters, says there has definitely been increased pressure in certain areas on slot reds. He also thinks there are other factors to consider than just harvest pressure by recreational anglers.
Broussard suggested storms with tidal surges and habitat loss displace redfish. In his assessment high and low river stages with higher salinities and their impact should be factored in, when creating baseline numbers of redfish stocks.
Morgan City businessman Shade Ratcliff said, “I can live with the four fish limit and the 18 to 27 inch slot limit, but I also think we should be able to keep one over 27. As every regular redfish angler knows, sometimes you get in the bulls and it’s hard to find one under 27 inches.”
Hunter Marcel, a video content producer from Houma, after attending a recent public meeting says it’s both fortunate and unfortunate there is more fishing than ever.
Marcel said, “It’s great for the outdoor community, but activities both day and night don’t give the fish a rest, nor is there enough habitat to support the constant beatdown. I 100 percent supported the 3-fish limit and keeping the slot limit. But, after attending the meeting last Thursday and hearing the studies and so many opinions from captains, sports and recreational fishermen, I think the 4 fish 18 to 27 inch slot limits are a great compromise.”
Charles Miller, a fly fisherman from the New Orleans area, says that he releases most of the redfish he catches. Therefore, the new regulation’s impact will be minimal where he is concerned. However, he makes note that 1 in 5 Louisianans are at or live below the poverty level.
Miller said, “Many people in this category are subsistence angling. If they are fishing for dinner and catch a 30 inch redfish, then they will have to release it under the proposed regulations. I think these anglers were ignored when planning the new regulations.”
Others like Aaron Snatic, who works for the Allen Parish School Board, said, “I’m good with the 4 fish and slot limit. I always liked keeping the 16 to 18 inch reds to eat anyway. I don’t care about one over 27 inches, but do understand some people wanting to still have that option.”
A one-time public hearing on proposed substantive changes will be held by the LDWF on April 29 at 10 a.m. in the Joe L. Herring Louisiana Room of the Wildlife and Fisheries Headquarters Building, 2000 Quail Drive in Baton Rouge. Interested persons are invited to attend and submit oral comments on the proposed amendments.
John Flores is the Morgan City Review’s outdoor writer. He can be contacted at gowiththeflo@cox.net.