Louisiana Administrative Code › Title 76 - WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES › Part III - Game and Fish Preserves and Sanctuaries › Chapter 3 - Particular Game and Fish Preserves, Wildlife Management Areas, Refuges and Conservation Areas › Section III-309 - Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 6, June 20, 2024
A.
				Visitor Regulations
1. The visiting season on
				the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge will extend from March 1 to December 1
				throughout the refuge except in those restricted areas designated to prohibit
				interference with research and management activities. Use of Humble Canal,
				Joseph Harbor Bayou, Headquarters Canal, East End Road and Locks, Union
				Producing Canal, Deep Lake, East End Boundary Canal, and Rollover Bayou shall
				be year round. In addition to this access, sport fishermen shall be permitted
				to enter the refuge from the Gulf side in Pigeon Bayou, Big Constance Bayou,
				Little Constance Bayou. Access through these bayous will be permitted only as
				far inland as the existing water control structures. The remainder of the
				refuge shall be restricted during the winter months and will be closed to all
				trespassing.
2. Use of the refuge
				will be allowed from official sunrise until official sunset. This includes
				access routes through the refuge.
3. Overnight camping is prohibited.
4. Hunting, pursuing, killing, molesting or
				intentionally disturbing any type of wildlife by the public is prohibited. This
				does not prohibit the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries from carrying out
				harvest programs for certain types of wildlife as specified in the Deed of
				Donation and/or Memorandum of Agreement.
5. Trawling on the refuge is prohibited.
				Trotlines, jug lines, trammel and gill nets and traps are prohibited. All
				commercial fishing and use of any commercial fishing gear on the refuge is
				prohibited. Twenty-five pounds of shrimp (heads on) per boat or vehicle per day
				is allowed during the inside open shrimp season as established by the Wildlife
				and Fisheries Commission. Ten pounds of shrimp (heads on) for bait purposes may
				be caught during the closed season. Shrimp may be harvested only by cast net on
				the refuge and only for sport fishing or home consumption use.
6. Crawfish may be harvested from the open
				portion of the refuge and 100 pounds per boat or vehicle is allowed per day.
				Set nets may be used but must be attended and removed from the refuge daily. No
				commercial harvest is allowed.
7.
				Crabs may be harvested from the open portion of the refuge and 12 dozen crabs
				are allowed per boat or vehicle per day.
8. Oysters may be harvested by tonging
				(properly licensed) or by hand collection from the natural reefs. One gallon
				per boat or vehicle per day is allowed and oysters must be opened at the reef
				and the shells returned to the reef. Taking of oysters on the reef is dependent
				upon Department of Health and Hospitals' approval and may be closed at any time
				by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
9. The burning of the marsh by the public is
				prohibited. Water control structures shall not be tampered with or altered by
				anyone other than employees of the Department of Wildlife and
				Fisheries.
10. Bringing firearms,
				bows and arrows, liquor and controlled dangerous substances (drugs) onto the
				refuge is prohibited. All boats and vehicles are subject to search by all
				authorized employees of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries at
				anytime.
11. Speed boat racing and
				water skiing are prohibited. All boat traffic shall honor no wake zones and
				shall keep wave wash to a minimum. Pulling boats over or around levees, dams or
				water control structures is prohibited.
12. No littering is allowed. Visitors must
				remove their litter or place litter in appropriate litter disposal sites.
				Damage to or removal of trees, shrubs and wild plants without prior approval is
				prohibited.
13. Commercial fishing
				gear or trawls shall not be permitted in possession while participating in
				sport fishing on refuge. Commercial fishing gear may be in possession for
				nonstop access directly across refuge or for safe harbor only.