Bowfishing Banned in Biloxi Marsh

Feature Photo: Carter Abramson | Simms Fishing at the Fisheries Science Symposium

We have more big news in the world of Louisiana redfish. On June 21st, the new Hunting Regulations for the 2025-2027 Seasons (LAC 76:XIX.Chapter 1) went into effect. These regulations eliminate bowfishing in the Biloxi Wildlife Management Area, banning bowfishing and any nighttime activity within the 40,000-acre wildlife management area. All fish must now be taken by rod and reel only. This is significant news, as many of our guides fish the WMA extensively.

Bowfishing has been a hot-button topic in Louisiana. Ironically, bowfishing is perhaps the least sportsman-like way to target redfish in the “Sportsman’s Paradise.”  We would liken it to spotlighting deer. Louisiana native and full-time fishing guide Captain Ty Hibbs rightly states,

“If we aren’t allowed to hunt rabbits and deer at night with lights, then why should we be allowed to shine and bowfish one of Louisiana’s most valuable resources?”

In addition to being unsportsmanlike, bowfishing contradicts the recent progress made with redfish conservation. Reminder: we just got new regulations and restricted harvest of bull reds less than two years ago. This new law further protects redfish and supports the hard work of the redfish conservation community fighting to protect one of Louisiana’s greatest natural resources – and with good timing after a record winter freeze that is still being assessed by the state.

Another local guide and business owner, Captain Bailey Short, further emphasized how important this action is for the integrity of Louisiana’s red drum fishery:

“The decision to ban Bowfishing and make the rule more enforceable is hugely impactful for our local fishery. The bottom line is that ethical bow fishing does not exist. First of all, there’s no such thing as catch and release bowfishing, you can’t drive an arrow through a fish, realize “whoops, too small or too big” and throw it back in the water to see another day. It’s in and of itself a wasteful, destructive activity.”

Even when you take redfish out of the picture, bowfishing still has a negative impact on the marsh. Capt. Short adds, “…the collateral damage of bowfishing is significant. Fish are being spotlighted, run over, and disturbed all throughout the evening when they usually would have time to recuperate from angling pressure through the day. So not only are you affecting the fish you shoot, you’re disturbing every creature out there. It’s not just about the fish that are shot.  Add to this that ducks are disturbed in the same way, and you have a problem on multiple fronts. The unfortunate truth is that everyone else loses when bowfishing is allowed to take place in crucial regions of our marsh.”

Captain Hibbs further reinforces the significance of the new rule: “The outright ban on nighttime activities on Biloxi WMA is a major leap in the efforts to protect our most valuable natural resources, such as redfish and waterfowl.”

The Biloxi WMA supports inshore fisheries, including redfish, speckled trout, black drum, jack crevalle, tarpon, and sheepshead. Eliminating bowfishing and night pressure aligns with efforts to improve fisheries sustainability and reduce impacts on sensitive habitats that are vulnerable to noise, lights, and vessel activity after dark. This is a major win for fisheries and habitat protection in one of Louisiana’s most ecologically sensitive and heavily pressured coastal zones. ASGA applauds this decision by LDWF and encourages these considerations at a statewide level.