Built from R.S. 56:332 as amended by Act 48 of 2019 and LDWF guidance, verified September 2026. Rules change. Confirm with LDWF before you set. This is a rigging guide, not legal advice; the regulation text with citations is on the Louisiana regulations page.
Louisiana has the most specific trap construction rules of any blue crab state, and a trap that would pass in Texas or Mississippi can fail here on ring placement alone. Here's how to rig one that passes, in the order you'd build it.
1. The box
A cube of wire no larger than 30" on any side, with a bait box or material providing cover for peeler crabs. Most Louisiana traps are two-chambered with a baffle; single-chambered traps are legal and carry the same three-ring rule.
2. Escape rings: three, 2-3/8", in the right places
This is where traps fail inspection. Every trap needs at least three rigid escape rings of 2-3/8" minimum inside diameter, the diameter measured inside the ring, not counting the ring material.
- Two in the upper chamber, flush with the baffle. The ring sits on the vertical outside wall with its bottom edge at the baffle, so a small crab walking the baffle finds the exit at foot level.
- One in the lower chamber, no more than one mesh from the trap floor. Same idea: at floor level, on the vertical outside wall.
- Every ring within one mesh of a corner. Since July 1, 2022. Crabs work the corners looking for a way out; a ring in the middle of a panel gets missed.
Attach rings with material no thicker than the trap wire: hog rings or zip ties on a standard 12-gauge trap. A ring lashed on with heavy cord is not "rigid" and not compliant.
Traps built of mesh 2-5/16" square or larger are exempt from the ring rule entirely; the mesh itself is the escape.
3. When you can block the rings
From April 1 through June 30 and September 1 through October 31, ring openings may be obstructed to hold peelers and busters. Outside those windows every ring must be open. Don't leave the plugs in on July 1.
4. The door
Hinged lid or side door, held by a rubber band or bungee through a plastic hook's cinch, hook catching the door wire. Two hooks per door pulls it flat and even. Our FlatStack hook is 3-1/2" center to center, which fits a standard trap door, and it's cut so stacked traps don't snap the points. Louisiana pricing.
5. Float and line
A solid float at least 6" in diameter on non-floating line at least 1/4" diameter. Floats aren't required in most freshwater areas west of LA 70 and inland of the saltwater line, except lakes. Traps on a trotline: one end tied to non-floating line and a visible float at least 6" or 2-gallon size, each trap registered with LDWF and tagged with the license number.
6. Tags
Recreational: a 1/2" stainless self-locking tag on the center of the trap ceiling, or a durable plastic bait box marker, with the recreational crab trap gear license number. Commercial: per the LDWF gear license.
7. Where not to set
Not in navigable channels or the entrances to streams. Set so vessels can pass. Some WMAs and refuges prohibit traps.
8. What comes out of the trap
| Recreational | Commercial | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum size | None | 5" point to point |
| Daily limit | 12 dozen per person | — |
| Immature (V-bottom) females | — | Prohibited, 2% incidental tolerance; exception for softshell processing |
| Sponge crabs | Release | |
Crabs in a work box being sorted aboard an active vessel aren't counted against the immature female rule. Cull to a stick, not by eye: the 5" aluminum cull stick.
9. The February closures
Each year the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission closes specific basins to traps for derelict trap removal, typically in February and March, with the areas set by Notice of Intent the preceding fall. Traps left in a closed area are presumed derelict and get pulled. Check LDWF for the current year's basins and dates before the season.
Penalties
Ring size or placement violations are class four: up to $950 and/or jail. LDWF enforces the corner rule.