Shrimping is a beloved tradition and industry in Louisiana. From recreational shrimpers filling their ice chests to commercial fleets hauling in fresh catches, Louisiana residents and visitors alike look forward to shrimp season each year. But when exactly is shrimp season in the Sportsman’s Paradise? In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Louisiana shrimp seasons, from opening dates to peak harvest times.
An Overview of Louisiana’s Shrimp Seasons
Louisiana is home to two main shrimp seasons annually – the spring brown shrimp season which runs May to July and the fall white shrimp season open August to December. Shrimp seasons are set by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission based on recommendations from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) biologists. They aim to open the season when shrimp have reached an optimal market size.
The Commission sets seasons according to the following general guidelines
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Inside waters – Open when enough market-sized shrimp are present usually May-July for brown shrimp and August-December for white shrimp. Some inside waters may remain open for white shrimp harvest into January.
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Outside waters – Remain open year-round except for closures from mid-December to April/May to allow growth of small white shrimp. Outside waters can also close if deemed necessary by the Commission.
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Federal waters – Remain open year-round and are managed by NOAA Fisheries.
But how exactly do LDWF biologists determine when shrimp are large enough for harvest each season?
How Shrimp Season Dates Are Determined
LDWF biologists use extensive data collection and modeling to recommend optimal shrimp season opening dates. Here’s an overview of how they determine when shrimp are ready:
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Trawl sampling – LDWF biologists trawl hundreds of locations in marshes, lakes and bays across the state. They count, identify and measure the shrimp, recording data on size and abundance.
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Water quality monitoring – During trawls, they record temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and other water quality parameters that impact shrimp growth.
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Data analysis – The shrimp population data is compiled and run through models to forecast when a certain percentage of the shrimp will reach market size in each estuary basin.
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Recommendations – Biologists use model output to recommend opening dates for each inside water area. Their goal is to optimize shrimp size and potential harvest.
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Commission approval – The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission reviews LDWF recommendations along with public comments to finalize the opening dates for the season.
So rather than sticking to a fixed calendar date, shrimp seasons fluctuate based on real-time monitoring of shrimp populations. This allows openings to be tailored for current conditions.
When Does Shrimp Season Typically Begin?
While actual opening dates vary, Louisiana shrimp seasons generally open around these timeframes:
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Spring brown season – Inside waters open mid-May. Recent spring openings have ranged from May 7th to 16th.
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Fall white season – Inside waters open mid-August, typically around August 15th give or take several days.
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Federal waters – Remain open year round for both seasons.
So for 2023, expect spring shrimping to kick off sometime around mid-May based on sampling data. The fall opening will follow in mid-August as usual. Make sure to check the LDWF website for official season dates as they are announced by the Commission!
Peak Shrimping During Each Season
While shrimp can be caught throughout the open season, there are peak harvest times for both brown and white shrimp:
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Brown shrimp – Abundance peaks in June and early July before tapering off. Target open inland bays and marshes during this timeframe.
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White shrimp – Populations peak on the coast from September through November. Later in the fall, white shrimp migrate into inland marshes and lakes.
Following the shrimp as they move throughout estuaries during their growth cycle is key for the best harvests. If you aren’t catching shrimp, move to a different area!
Shrimp Size Considerations
One important factor to know – larger shrimp tend to be caught earlier in each season, with average size declining over time.
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For browns, target May/June for the biggest shrimp. Later in July, there are high numbers of smaller shrimp.
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With whites, focus September/October for larger shrimp, while abundance of smaller shrimp increases in November.
If catching smaller shrimp, consider moving sites or waiting a few weeks to see if another wave of larger shrimp arrives. Larger shrimp produce the best quality boiled, fried or grilled shrimp recipes!
Recapping When Shrimp Season Happens in Louisiana
- Spring brown shrimp season generally runs mid-May through July
- Fall white shrimp season typically spans mid-August through December
- Within each season, target peak months for the highest catch
- Time trips for when larger shrimp are abundant
- Check the LDWF website each year for exact seasons dates
Frequency of Entities:
LDWF: 10
Louisiana: 9
shrimp: 25
season: 20
waters: 7
inside: 6
white: 7
Fall: 5
spring: 5
brown: 7
mid: 4
May: 3
August: 3
Cast Net License Requirements
- Basic Fishing License
- If you want to fish in the saltwater area described in 56:322(A), you need a saltwater fishing license.
- People who use a dip net, landing net, crab net, or minnow trap to catch shrimp only need a Hook and Line License of any type.
- Basic Fishing License
- Saltwater Fishing License
- Boats that want to fish for shrimp in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (EEZ) need a Federal Shrimp Vessel Permit.
For management purposes, Louisiana’s state waters are divided into inside and outside waters. The “shrimp line” separates these waters. It generally follows the coastline from the Louisiana/Texas state line to the Louisiana/Mississippi state line. Inshore waters are those closer to land than the shrimp line. The territorial seas are those farther out to sea, out to three nautical miles. Inside waters are further divided by major estuarine basin. The current shrimp line can be found in LAC 76:370 or at www. wlf. louisiana. gov/page/shrimp-line. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (Commission) may amend the shrimp line due to environmental changes. See the latest coordinates at www. wlf. louisiana. gov/page/shrimp-line.
It is up to the Commission, the Louisiana Legislature, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to run the shrimp fishery in the territorial seas and inshore waters. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries are responsible for federal waters.
During the closed shrimp season, you can’t use trawl, skimmer, or butterfly nets for anything in state waters. There are different seasons for shrimp. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission decides when the seasons are based on biological and technical information about shrimp populations as well as public input. The spring inshore season usually begins in early to mid-May, and may extend into July. The fall inshore season usually begins near mid-August and typically extends into December. In Louisiana’s outside territorial waters, the shrimp season is usually open all year. However, there may be times when the season is closed in certain parts of the state’s outside waters. These times are usually in late winter or early spring, starting in December or January and going through March or May. The shrimp season in the EEZ is usually open year-round.
NOTE: Some types of fishing gear or methods may not be allowed in certain areas of WMAs, refuges, and other places. Check with your local LDWF Office or refer to the WMA and Refuge section of this pamphlet.
Size and Possession Limits
- During Louisiana’s spring open season, there is no size limit on any saltwater shrimp caught.
- Brown shrimp and seabobs can be any size during any open season.
You can only have 100 count (whole shrimp per pound) of white shrimp that you caught in Louisiana waters, whether they are in or out of the state. This size restriction applies to the taking or possession of such shrimp aboard a vessel.
EXCEPTION: There is no possession count on white shrimp taken or possessed from Oct. 15 through the third Monday in December. If more than half of the shrimp caught or owned are seabobs or brown shrimp, the most undersized white shrimp that can be caught or owned is 10% of the total shrimp caught or owned.
2023 Shrimp Season opens with declined participation
When does the shrimp season start in Louisiana?
The Commission action sets the opening date of the spring inshore shrimp season as follows: All Louisiana inshore waters from the Mississippi/Louisiana state line westward to the Louisiana/Texas state line will open at 6 a.m. on Monday, May 24, 2021.
How does the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Commission determine shrimp seasons?
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission sets shrimp seasons for Louisiana’s state waters by area according to LDWF’s recommendations based on environmental conditions and the growth rates, distribution, and abundance of shrimp. They also consider input from the Shrimp Task Force and other stakeholders.
When is shrimp season?
The spring/brown shrimp season generally runs May to July. The fall/white shrimp season is generally open mid-August to mid-December; some waters stay open into January. Outside waters: year-round, except from mid or late December to April or May in certain areas to protect small white shrimp and allow them to grow to market size.
Is there a shrimp line in Louisiana waters?
In Louisiana, the waters are divided into inside and outside waters for management purposes. The shrimp line separates these waters and generally follows the coastline from the Louisiana/Texas state line to the Louisiana/Mississippi state line.