The Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries oversees the stocking of community fishing locations throughout the state as part of the Community Fishing Program. These bodies of water offer good fishing to anglers even if they don’t have a boat. Each body of water must meet certain criteria to be included in the program.
As part of the program, the LDWF reviews bodies of easily-accessible water that are located in close proximity to a populated area. If these potential fishing holes can be developed into a quality fishery, offer public parking, restrooms, and bank fishing access, the LDWF will partner with the community to stock fish there. Currently, 11 locations are regularly stocked as part of this program.
In the summer months, the LDWF stocks channel catfish in these waters. During the winter, rainbow trout are stocked, offering an even more unique fishing experience. Rainbow trout can survive the winter months due to the higher oxygen levels of colder water, but can not live long enough for anglers to catch them if stocked during the summer.
These are the current community fishing holes that are a part of the Community Fishing Program:
Girard Park – Lafayette
Channel catfish were most recently stocked on June 3, 2019
Click here for map and directions to Girard Park
BREC’s Burbank Park – Baton Rouge
Channel catfish were most recently stocked on June 5, 2019
Click here for map and directions to Burbank Park
Kiroli Park – West Monroe
Channel catfish were most recently stocked on June 4, 2019
Click here for map and directions to Kiroli Park
Turner’s Pond – Minden
Channel catfish were most recently stocked on June 4, 2019
Click here for map and directions to Turner’s Pond
William T. Polk City Park Pond – Vidalia
Channel catfish were most recently stocked on June 5, 2019
Click here for map and directions to William T. Polk City Park Pond
Purple Heart Memorial Park Pond – Ragley
Channel catfish were most recently stocked on June 3, 2019
Click here for map and directions to Purple Heart Memorial Park Pond
Grambling City Park Pond – Grambling
Channel catfish were most recently stocked on June 4, 2019
Click here for map and directions to Grambling City Park Pond
Southside Regional Park – Fabacher Field – Youngsville
Channel catfish were most recently stocked on June 3, 2019
Click here for map and directions to Southside Regional Park
Elmore D. Mayfield Park – Ruston
Channel catfish were most recently stocked on June 4, 2019
Click here for map and directions to Elmore D. Mayfield Park
Sidney Hutchinson Park – Walker
Channel catfish were most recently stocked on June 5, 2019
Click here for map and directions to Sidney Hutchinson Park
Zemurray Park – Hammond
Channel catfish were stocked most recently on April 23, 2019
Click here for map and directions to Zemurray Park