Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries News
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Modify Black Bass Regulations in the Atchafalaya Basin, Henderson Lake and Lake Verrett Complex
(June 6, 2013) – Today, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approved the removal of the 14” minimum length limit on black bass in the Atchafalaya Basin, Henderson Lake and Lake Verret Complex. The new rule will go into effect on Thursday, June 20, 2013.As a temporary transition measure, LDWF staff recommends a reduction in daily creel limit from 10 to 7 bass for a two-year period. After the two years, black bass regulations on these waterbodies would be consistent with statewide regulations – no length limit with a 10 fish daily creel.An extensive, three-year study examined the effectiveness of the regulation as a management tool. Findings show the Atchafalaya Basin largemouth bass population does not exhibit necessary criteria for which a 14” minimum length limit would produce larger bass. The study indicates that the basin bass population is more heavily influenced by environmental factors, including water fluctuation and the effects of tropical storms, rather than angler harvest.The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.
For press inquires, contact Ashley Wethey at awethey@wlf.la.gov or (225) 765-2396.
