FISHING: Amends Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rules regarding red drum harvest

HLS 26RS-1332 ENGROSSED
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 5
BY REPRESENTATIVE ORGERON
FISHING: Amends Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rules regarding red drum harvest
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
2 To enact the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rule, LAC 76:VII.363(A)(4), which
3 provides for red drum harvest; to create an exception to the prohibition against
4 harvesting red drum over regulatory size limits; to authorize the department to issue
5 special permits for bull red harvest for certain limited tournaments; to provide for
6 eligibility requirements for tournaments; to provide for related matters; and to direct
7 the office of the state register to print the amendments in the Louisiana
8 Administrative Code.
9 WHEREAS, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regulates the recreational
10 harvest of red drum, including daily take and possession limits and size limits; and
11 WHEREAS, department rules establish that the maximum legal size for the taking
12 of red drum is twenty-seven inches total length with the mouth closed; and
13 WHEREAS, department rules further establish that the possession of a red drum over
14 twenty-seven inches is prohibited; and
15 WHEREAS, the current size limits were promulgated to reduce the total harvest of
16 red drum for stock recovery; and
17 WHEREAS, the current size limits are expected to result in a stock recovery greater
18 than the department's management goal; and
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are additions.
HLS 26RS-1332 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 5
1 WHEREAS, there are several long-standing and well-established annual fishing
2 tournaments in the state that have traditionally included bull redfish categories; and
3 WHEREAS, based on historical data, the department would still be able to exceed
4 its management goals for red drum stock recovery if these tournaments were allowed to
5 continue offering bull red categories; and
6 WHEREAS, allowing these tournaments to maintain their traditional bull red
7 categories would help preserve important cultural and recreational activity, and the
8 associated economic impact that these tournaments bring, without significantly impacting
9 red drum stock recovery efforts.
10 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Legislature of Louisiana that LAC
11 76:VII.363(A)(4) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
12 §363. Red Drum - Harvest Regulations
13 A. Recreational Regulations
14 * * *
15 (4) The secretary may, upon the request of an eligible applicant, issue a
16 special permit that allows the taking of red drum in excess of the regulatory size limit
17 for registered participants in a tournament or rodeo that meets the following
18 eligibility requirements:
19 (a) The event has been held regularly for five years or more.
20 (b) The event has historically included a bull red category.
21 (c) The event is no longer than four days long, once a year.
22 * * *
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
24 office of the state register.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the office of the state register is hereby directed
26 to have the amendments to LAC 76:VII.363(A) printed and incorporated into the Louisiana
27 Administrative Code.
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are additions.
HLS 26RS-1332 ENGROSSED
HCR NO. 5
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 5 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Orgeron
Amends LAC 76:VII.363(A) to authorize special permits that would allow the taking of red
drum longer than 27 inches for participants in a fishing tournament or rodeo that meets the
following requirements:
(1) The event has been held regularly for five years or more.
(2) The event has historically included a bull red category.
(3) The event is no longer than four days long, once a year.
Directs the La. Register to print the amendment to LAC 76:VII.363(A) in the La.
Administrative Code.
(Adds LAC 76:VII.363(A)(4))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.