Popular Louisiana fishing season is closing temporarily

Louisiana is closing its popular southern flounder fishing season temporarily, affecting both recreational and commercial anglers. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced a six-week ban from Oct. 15 to Nov. 30, designed to align with the fish’s spawning period so the population can repopulate. The closure applies to all fishing sectors and gear types, including flounder taken as bycatch in other fisheries. State data cited in the announcement indicates southern flounder stocks remain overfished, with catches declining by as much as two-thirds over the past decade across Gulf states. The article also highlights common fishing areas, including Barataria Bay and Lake Pontchartrain.