Know the Important Louisiana Fishing Regulations

Naturally made up from washed sediments from the Mississippi River, most of Louisiana抯 areas are fantastic breeding grounds for some of the popular catches of fishing enthusiasts. Red snapper, gro...

Naturally made up from washed sediments from the Mississippi River, most of Louisiana抯 areas are fantastic breeding grounds for some of the popular catches of fishing enthusiasts. Red snapper, grouper, yellowfin and blackfin tuna, wahoo, mako sharks, amberjack and cobia are some of the species that novice and veteran anglers aim for when they go on fishing trips, fishing excursions or even fishing competitions in Louisiana. These species thrive in the marsh and coastal waters of Louisiana depending on the season. Droves of fishing hobbyists go to Louisiana every summer to get close to these species. ?/p>

?/p>

But like any other natural resource, regulations are imposed so as not to exploit the resources and turn these species into extinction which is what usually happens if there were no rules that will restrict the use of such natural resources. In the case of Louisiana, where it has become a top fishing destination, Louisiana fishing regulations were put in place to make sure that no one abuses the available resources that will consequently endanger the marine life and resources that thrive in the waters surrounding the state of Louisiana.

?/p>

One of Louisiana fishing regulations puts restrictions on the number of fish one can catch. Anyone is allowed a limit of 5 fish which should measure more than 16 inches and with only one fish measuring over 27 inches. This applies to every fishing participant, whether on an excursion or on a competition. Anything outside of these measurements is thrown back to the waters. Aside from the size restrictions, there are also regulations on prohibited species. This means that no angler or fishing enthusiast should be in possession of white shark, basking shark, whale shark, big-eye sand tiger shark, Atlantic angel shark, big-nose shark, small-tail shark, dusky shark, sand tiger shark, Caribbean sharp-nose shark, Caribbean reef shark, Galapagos shark, night shark, narrow-tooth shark, big-eye thresher shark, six-gill shark, big-eye six-gill shark, big-eye thresher shark, small-tooth sawfish, long-fin mako, large-tooth sawfish, seven-gill shark, Goliath grouper and Nassau grouper.?

?/p>

Fishing regulations declare it illegal to fillet saltwater finfish before the boat docks. This means that the caught fish should be kept intact. Gutting is allowed though. For consumption aboard the harvesting vessel, there should be no more than two pounds of finfish parts for every person on the boat. This is on condition that the boat has cooking facilities for the finfish and that the finfish does not go beyond the allowed bag limits.?

?/p>

Another fishing regulation spells out the methods of catching or taking recreational fish from freshwater and saltwater. Specific fishing methods include the use of fishing pole, rod, trolling line, hook and line, crawfish nets, handline, bait casting and fly casting apparatus; use of devices known as bow and arrow, recreational wire nets, yoyo or trigger devices, recreational hoop nets, recreational slat traps, and standard spearing equipment including recreational pipes/drums/tires/cans/buckets. Everyone is prohibited to take or possess fish using poisons, spears, shocking substances or devices, guns, explosives, electricity or devices capable of producing electric current to shock the fish, and some snagging devices. This regulation is intended to protect small fish from being killed arbitrarily if such methods are used.牋