The new series of fishing courses launched by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) last month has been well received and we are pleased to announce the addition of courses across Louisiana. The next group of courses will be offered in the Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Houma, Lake Charles and Natchitoches areas. In addition to the introductory fishing courses, LDWF has added a beginner’s catfishing course and “All Ages” courses to encourage parents and/or guardians to participate with their children.
The catfishing beginner course is aimed at participants with basic fishing knowledge or anglers who have completed an intro-to-fishing course and are older than 16 years. Participants will learn how to identify catfish species, basic fish behavior, proper fish handling, an overview of equipment, basic rigging and bait selection, followed by an hour of fishing with LDWF staff.
The All Ages course is exclusively for parents or guardians accompanying participants under the age of 18, with an increased participant capacity from 10 to 20 to accommodate families. Just like the standard courses, the curriculum is fast-paced and designed to train adults so they can guide children during the fishing portion of the program.
To view the upcoming schedule and to register for any of the FCS courses, visit http://www.louisianaoutdoors.com/events and select the event type: Fishing Ed. If you require registration assistance, please contact [email protected] or call Chris Conner at (318) 487-5336 OR Joshua Porter at (225) 763-3540. For more information on the Fishing Course Series program, visit www.wlf.la.gov/page/fishing-workshops.
Equipment is provided for all courses, but participants are also encouraged to bring their own gear. All participants will take home a packet of informational materials, starter gear, and gear courtesy of H&H Lure and the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana. Anglers 18 and older must have a valid sport fishing license to participate. Visit www.louisianaoutdoors.com to purchase a fishing license.
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is tasked with the stewardship and protection of Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.
The Fishing Course Series is hosted in partnership with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF). The LAWFF was formed to augment and support the LDWF’s education and research programs with additional resources developed through its own facilities. Fostering support for LDWF programs is the foundation’s primary focus, accomplished by connecting people and businesses with Louisiana’s natural resources. For more information, visit www.lawff.org.
The Fishing Course Series is funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, a USFWS grant program that provides grants to the states, the District of Columbia and the Island Territory Fish and Wildlife Authorities for fishing projects, boating access and water literacy.
