Louisiana DWF and New Orleans City Park Present 66th Annual Big Bass Rodeo on April 6

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is once again teaming with New Orleans City Park for their 66th annual Big Bass Rodeo and Fishtival.

Spring is just around the corner, which means water temperatures are rising and largemouth bass activity is picking up. In addition, the Department will be stocking the lagoon today with 50 adult Florida largemouth bass, averaging over two pounds each.

The purpose of the stocking is two-fold: adding Florida largemouth bass will enhance future urban fishing opportunities by increasing the potential for catching larger fish and may also help to control invasive cichlid populations.

The upcoming Big Bass Rodeo is deemed the oldest freshwater rodeo in the country, providing opportunities for anglers of all ages and backgrounds to catch those elusive lunkers for bragging rights and trophies. The Department is committed to protecting and managing the state’s natural resources and will be present to assist anglers with the weighing, holding and safe release of all fish.

The event will be held on Saturday, April 6 at the Casino Building (currently Morning Call Café) in New Orleans City Park.  Registration begins at 6 a.m. and fishing at 6:30 a.m. and weigh-in closes at 11 a.m. near the bandstand. Entry fees are only $10 for adults (13 and older) and $5 for kids (12 and younger). All anglers are asked to bring their own rod and reel, as well as bait.

In addition to the rodeo, the free Fishtival begins at 9 a.m. near the Casino and Bandstand area. Numerous demonstrations, exhibits, and outdoor activities will be available for youth and adults including a youth casting contest, free casting lessons, and a 1,000 gallon freshwater aquarium provided by LDWF.

Visit www.neworleanscitypark.com/bigbass for details, online registration, registration forms, rules, regulations and a fishing map.

If your rods and reels are gathering dust and you can’t remember the last time you took your child fishing, what in the world are you waiting for? Fishing is a sport best passed from generation to generation. It instills patience, respect for the environment, and offers countless teaching opportunities about ecosystems, habitats, and how man fits into the great scheme of things. Fishing is also a sport that requires little money to get started. Most kids are happy with a cane pole, bobber, and worms for bait.

Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries – Enforcement Division(LDWF) is the fish & game regulatory agency of Louisiana. It has jurisdictionanywhere in the state, and in state territorial waters. The agency enforces both state and federal laws dealing with hunting, fishing, and boating safety. The agency also enforces criminal laws in rural areas including DWI enforcement both on highways and waterways. Most of the Department’s Wildlife Agents also carry Federal law enforcement commissions issued from the United States Department of the Interior - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and United States Department of Commerce - U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). These federal commissions allow these state officers to enforce federal migratory waterfowl laws and federal marine fisheries laws in state and federal waters off the coast of Louisiana. Besides their traditional role as a “game warden”, Louisiana Wildlife Enforcement Agents also have a number of other responsibilities, including conducting board of health inspections on some portions of the state’s commercial fishing industry. Agents are trained in and conduct numerous search and rescue operations, both in remote land areas and on the state’s waterways. Agents ensure that hunters, anglers, boaters, dealers, breeders, farmers, and transporters are in compliance with regulations governing equipment, quotas, licenses, and registrations. Agents also assist other State departments and law enforcement agencies in the coordination of educational and professional endeavors, as well as national and state emergency alerts by the Federal Office of Emergency Preparedness. In addition, agents perform search and rescue missions alone or in conjunction with other local, state, and federal agencies.