Ahh, summertime. Even though the weather seems to be hanging onto to weather that smacks of early spring, here it is in June with first day of summer only a few weeks away and I’m still finding a light jacket feeling pretty good on these chilly mornings. Even so, school is out and for this country boy, that meant that it was time to hit the creeks and go fishing.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has planned something that anglers or any age all across the state should find exciting. The state agency is hosting what they’re calling a “Tagged Fish Derby” for ponds around the state.
According to a press release I just received, here’s what it says that should whet the
appetite of youngsters and adults alike all across Louisiana.
“Spring is in full swing and summer is just around the corner. Make time to get outside, unwind and spend time with family and friends while fishing one of the LDWF 15 sites participating in the Get Out and Fish community fishing program.”
The department is stocking select ponds around the state with adult-sized channel catfish in the spring and fall and rainbow trout in winter. Adding a bit of excitement, LDWF is hosting a “tagged catfish derby” at all of the select ponds between Saturday June 5 and Friday June 11. Anglers who catch and report a tagged channel catfish caught in one of these ponds during the June5-11 time will receive a fishing prize pack. All of the ponds will be stocked with these tagged fish and if a tagged fish is caught, you’ll need to get it registered.
You’ll need to write this number down and have it with you because that’s the only way you qualify for prizes should you catch a tagged fish. Call 855/728-8247 to
report your catch. Write it down; stick it in your wallet; you otherwise won’t qualify to win. There is a licensing requirement for anglers age 16 or older while those under age 16 fish for free. Daily bag limits will apply.
Following is listing of ponds where you’ll want to wet a hook, not only to try for a tagged fish but who doesn’t like a platter of fried catfish for the table?
Turner’s Pond – Minden
Grambling City Park Pond – Grambling
Elmore D. Mayfield Park – Ruston
Kiroli Park – W. Monroe
Polk City Park Pond – Vidalia
Purple Heart Memorial Park Pond – Ragley
1-10 Park – Jennings
Girard Park – Lafayette
Southside Regional Park – Youngsville
Bayou Country Sports Park – Houma
Zemurray Park – Hammond
Bogue Chitto State Park – Franklinton
Joe Brown Park – New Orleans
Parc Natchitoches – Natchitoches
Pearson Lake – Pineville
I can’t think of a better way to get your summer kicked off in fine shape than to feel the tug of a catfish on the line with the prospects of a fish fry for supper.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been fair to good with the drop-shot rig working best with average sized fish reported. Crappie are around the deeper tops and hitting jigs and shiners fished 12 feet deep in 15-25 foot water. Bream are on the beds and hitting crickets and worms. No report on catfish. For information contact Bateaux’s on Caney Lake at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – Bass fishing has been fair fishing spinners or jigs around the banks and edge of levee. Bream fishing has been good on crickets and worms on beds around the willows. No report on crappie or catfish. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at323-8707.
BLACK BAYOU – Bass fishing has been good on jigs and spinners around the grass. Crappie are fair and scattered. Bream fishing is good on crickets and worms. Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.
OUACHITA RIVER – The water is falling and fishing is improving. Bass are best in the river lakes on spinners and soft plastics. Crappie are fair to good fishing jigs and shiners around tops in the river and river lakes. No report on other species. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass fishing has been fair fishing the deeper holes in the channel with drop-shot rigs with some along channel edges on Rogues and plastic frogs. Crappie fishing has been fair on the flats on shiners and jigs fished 10-15 feet deep in 20 foot water. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Catfishing continues to be good off the banks on night crawlers and
cold worms. For latest reports, call Anderson’s Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Bream are on the beds and fishing has been good on crickets and worms. Bass fishing has been best for medium sized fish around the docks and edge of grass on topwaters, soft plastics and spinners. Crappie fishing is fair around the tops and better below the spillway on shiners or jigs. Catfishing is good on night crawlers or cold worms while some stripers are being caught at night around lighted piers. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Bass are fair. Catfish and bream are good. Crappie are slow. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE ST. JOHN – Crappie are fair on spider rigs. Bass are best early on topwaters. Bream are on the beds and catfishing has been good on yo-yos baited with shiners. For information, call Ken Mahoney at 318-201-3821.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water continues to slowly fall with crappie, barfish and catfish biting quite well. For information, call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.
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