Louisiana anglers are taking full advantage of the red snapper season that opened May 25.
 
The latest catch statistics recorded by LA Creel, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' near real-time data collection program is 159,969 pounds, or 22 percent of Louisiana’s allocation. This covers the period through June 3.
 
The season will remain open until recreational landings approach or reach Louisiana’s annual private recreational allocation of 743,000 pounds.
 
This year, state and federal seasons are running concurrently because federal fisheries managers approved the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ application for an Exempted Fishing Permit to manage the private recreational snapper season in state and federal waters in 2018 and 2019. Under the EFP, participating anglers are allowed to fish red snapper in the state territorial seas and adjoining federal EEZ, from shore to 200 nautical miles.
 
For more information on the 2018 red snapper season and detailed landing estimates, visit: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/red-snapper.