2013 Free Fishing Weekend in Louisiana Set for June 8-9

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries have announced that June 8 and 9 will be “Free Fishing Weekend” for Louisiana citizens and visitors. The promotional fishing dates are provided for novices and non-anglers as an opportunity to experience recreational fishing in fresh or salt water without the purchase of a recreational fishing license.

The program is part of LDWF’s effort to attract more participants into the ranks of licensed fishermen. Fishing license fees support LDWF’s conservation efforts including habitat management.

“LDWF is encouraging anyone who wants to fish in Louisiana to do so on the weekend of June 8-9,” said John Sturgis, LDWF education manager.  “It’s an activity the whole family can enjoy, even without a boat.  Louisiana offers some of the best bank and pier fishing opportunities in the south.”

In conjunction with Free Fishing Weekend, LDWF is working with supporting sponsors to offer the following events on Saturday, June 8:

Bass Pro Shops Kids Fishing Rodeo at Waddill Wildlife Refuge

4142 N. Flannery Road, Baton Rouge

Fishing competition from 7:30 to 11 a.m. for children ages 12 & under and 13-15.

Prizes will be awarded.

Lake D’Arbonne Fishing Derby at Lake D’Arbonne State Park

3628 Evergreen Road, Farmerville

Registration begins at 8 a.m. for the fishing contest at 9 a.m. and bait casting contest at 10 a.m.

Awards to be presented before noon for participants in two age brackets: 6 to 9 years of age and 10 to 14 years of age.

The first 100 kids will receive a free extendable fiberglass pole rigged and ready to fish with. Bait will be provided by LDWF.

Youth Fishing Derby at Fairview-Riverside State Park

119 Fairview Drive, Madisonville

Fishing competition from 8 a.m. to noon for ages 15 and under.

Participants are advised to bring their own poles and bait.

Prizes will be awarded in multiple categories.

Louisiana Saltwater Series Tournament – Fourchon Marina

282 Floatation Canal Road, Golden Meadow 

The two-man team event has an entry fee of $200, with a 100 percent payout for top finishers. Anglers can use artificial lures and weigh in their two best redfish, with a maximum length of 27 inches. For complete information, including rules, regulations and online registration go to www.lasaltwaterseries.com. On-line registration will close Thursday, June 6 at noon.

*A youth division is also available for no additional cost.Teams are allowed to have two youth anglers as part of their team as long as they are under the age of 16.

LASS Youth Fishing Event at Grand Isle State Park

La. Hwy 1, Grand Isle

7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Participants need to bring their own fishing gear and bait.

$5 registration provides access to youth activities and prizes.

For complete information, contact Danica Williams at 504-628-7282.

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.