A new law going into effect August 1st sets a minimum length limit of 12 inches and a daily creel limit of five for black bass and a minimum length of eight inches and a 25-fish daily limit for crappie in portions of the Atchafalaya Basin. Ryan Montegut with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the law hopes to improve fishing in the area.
“They do a lot of tournament fishing. They hold bass tournaments, and what they’re shooting for is to increase the size limit on the bass. They would like to catch trophy bass. They would like to catch larger fish,” Montegut explained.
The law affects portions of the Atchafalaya Basin and nearby waterways in south-central Louisiana. Montegut says waterways outside of the designated area will abide by the previous regulations.
“It used to be 50 crappies, no size limit; and the previous law with bass, if I’m not mistaken, it was no size limit and a creel limit of 10 fish,” Montegut noted.
Montegut says the law will allow LDWF officials to monitor the fishing quality in the area closely.
“If we see improvements, then we’ll be very happy and we’ll encourage this regulation to stay in place. If it doesn’t achieve the desired result, then that would lead to conversations that we would have on doing something that would benefit the fishery,” Montegut said.
For a map of the affected area, visit the LDWF website: www.wlf.louisiana.gov.
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