News Breaker

Deer Hunting

Basin, Morganza floodway goes back to doe days

July 7, 2011 Andy Crawford

Hunters chasing deer within a portion of Area 6 will be going retro this season, with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission adopting a declaration of emergency today (July 7) that institutes doe days in the Morganza floodway and inside the Atchafayala Basin guide levees for the first time since being abolished in 2006.[…]

News Breaker

Louisiana to keep two duck zones this year

July 7, 2011 Todd Masson

After much discussion in recent weeks regarding changes to the state’s duck-hunting zones, it looks like they’re going to stay the same after all.

At least for this year.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Waterfowl Study Leader Larry Reynolds told the commission that oversees his agency today (July 7) that he didn’t advise attempting to change the zones this season because of federal hurdles that would have to be cleared before such a plan could be implemented.[…]

Inshore Fishing

Five men cited for illegal fishing on Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA

June 30, 2011 From News Reports

Five Houma-area men were cited Monday (June 27) for alleged illegal activity on Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported.

Agents cited Tony Vaughn, 27, of Montegut; Craig Vogel, 25, of Houma; and Jamie Theriot, 31, of Houma for not abiding by WMA rules and regulations after agents allegedly observed the men crabbing on one of the WMA dams after legal sunset.[…]

News Breaker

Donaldsonville gun club, three men fined $34,810 for baiting dove field

June 29, 2011 From News Reports

The Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club and three Donaldsonville men on June 24 pleaded guilty to Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations in Federal Middle District Court in Baton Rouge, and were ordered by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger to pay a total of $34,810 in fines and assessments for the violations, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported today (June 29).[…]

Fishing

10 boaters arrested for DWI over weekend

June 28, 2011 From News Reports

Ten boaters were arrested this weekend (June 24-26) as part of a concerted effort to clamp down on operation of boats by those under the influence of alcohol, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported.

The push is part of Operation Dry Water, which started in 2009 and is a joint program of the LDWF, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard.[…]

Inshore Fishing

Geaux Fish tournament features big prizes for catching tagged speckled trout

June 24, 2011 From News Reports

Anglers can win up to $275,000 in cash and prizes during the Geaux Fish tournament being held along the entire Louisiana coast July 2 through Sept. 5. And there’s absolutely no cost to enter.

The tournament, sponsored by BP and the Louisiana Charter Boat Association, will feature prizes for anglers catching 50 specially tagged speckled trout, which will be released in waters stretching from Breton Sound to Lake Calcasieu.

One of the fish is tagged as the grand prize, and is worth up to $250,000.[…]

News Breaker

23 billfish tagged, released in 39th New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament

June 22, 2011 From News Reports

The 39th New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament was held out of Venice last weekend (June 17-18), and a total of 23 billfish were caught, tagged and released by the 24 participating boat crews.

This tournament is regarded as the tournament that put Gulf of Mexico big-game fishing on the map and inspired the many offshore tournaments being held currently across the region.

The fleet found a beautiful rip-line about 54-miles southeast of South Pass and conditions that were conducive to great fishing.

[…]

Fishing

‘Operation Dry Water’ targets drunk boaters

June 22, 2011 From News Reports

Louisiana enforcement agents will be on the water in force this weekend (June 24-26) looking for those operating boats under the influence of alcohol, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced.

The push is part of “Operation Dry Water,” and is an effort to lower the number of alcohol-related boating accidents in Louisiana.

Any boat operator verified to have a blood alcohol content of .08 or more is considered drunk understate law, and will be arrested for operating a boat while intoxicated, LDWF said.[…]

Inshore Fishing

With spillway closing, Lake Pontchartrain enters next phase

June 18, 2011 From News Reports

Last Saturday (June 11,) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began closing the Bonnet Carre spillway. Closing 20 to 30 bays per day (river stage permitting), the structure may be entirely closed in a couple of weeks.

With the closure comes the next phase of impacts to Lake Pontchartrain. Lake users are asked to contact the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation if they happen to encounter anything out of the ordinary so the foundation can track locations of events.[…]