The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has announced the opening dates for the upcoming oyster season. They are as follows:
--Wednesday, September 4, 2013 (at one-half hour before sunrise):
the Little Lake
*Barataria Bay
*Deep Lake
*Lake Tambour
*Vermilion/East and West Cote Blanche/Atchafalaya Bay Public Oyster Seed Grounds.
--Tuesday, October 15, 2013 (at one-half hour before sunrise):
all remaining public oyster seed grounds and reservations, including: *Lake Borgne
*Sister Lake
*Lake Mechant,
*the Lake Machias/Fortuna sacking-only area
*Bay Long sacking-only area
--Friday, November 1, 2013 (at one-half hour before sunrise):
*west cove portion of the Calcasieu Lake Public Oyster Area (DHH Harvest Area 30). The sack limit during this time period is set at 10 sacks per person, per vessel, per day.
The following areas will remain closed for the 2013/2014 oyster season:
* Bay Gardene Public Oyster Seed Reservation
* Bay Junop Public Oyster Seed Reservation
* Lake Chien and Lake Felicity Public Oyster Seed Grounds
* 2011 clutch plants in Mississippi Sound and California Bay,
* 2012 cultch plants in Hackberry Bay, Sister Lake, Lake Fortuna, and Bay Crab
* 2013 cultch plants in 3-Mile Pass and Drum Bay,
* The east side of the Calcasieu Lake Public Oyster Area (LDHH Harvest Area 29)
* Sabine Lake Public Oyster Area
Closure dates will be determined on an "as needed" basis based on biological and harvest data or if enforcement issues are encountered. Closed areas may be reopened if oysters have become plentiful in those areas.