Six legislative bills you need to know - and take action!

Years ago, a candidate for state representative aired a commercial that was the talk of the town. A woman awakens from her sleep, startled, grabs a flashlight and in the dark, stealthly approaches a closed door. The narrator said something to the effect, "They're back. The scariest thing imaginable.". The woman opens the door and screams. On the other side of the door is a group of well-dressed folks moving from desk to desk. The narrator concludes, "The Louisiana Legislature!".

The announcer had it somewhat right. Anytime the Louisiana legislature is in session, horrifying things can happen. However, sometimes legislators do the right thing and offer solutions to problems.  That's why it's important you know what their bills are, and take action - for or against - to protect our interests.

Nearly two dozen fisheries bills have been filed for the 2026 Louisiana Legislative session.  Of course, the one bill getting the most attention among anglers and conservationists is SB186 by Senator Michael "Big Mike" Fesi. It would establish a quota of 315 million pounds on commercial menhaden harvest.  

The 315M pound limit is actually far below the quota limit that was suggested by the Fly Fishers International (FFI) Gulf Coast Council (GCC) and American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA).  We fully expect this bill to be amended upward, but it will be heavily lobbied against by the industry regardless of the final number.

Here are the six most critical bills we feel need to followed closely and what action needs to be taken.

SB186   by Senator Michael Fesi. 
Limits the total commercial menhaden reduction fishing catch within Louisiana territorial waters to 315 million pounds.  SUPPORT.

HB855  by Representative Joseph Orgeron.  
Establishes depth requirements for the commercial use of purse seines to a  minimum of 22 feet.  At this depth and beyond, the bycatch of redfish by menhaden nets begins to decline.  SUPPORT.

SB249  by Senator Caleb Kleinpeter.   
Constitutional amendment to add two members to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, to increase LWFC from 7 members to 9 members.  We strongly SUPPORT this bill.  Having only 7 members where 3 represent commercial interests grossly unrepresents hunters, anglers and other outdoor interests.  It's also one of the smallest commission sizes of any state.  SUPPORT.

HB688  by Rep. Joseph Orgeron. 
Adds Atlantic tarpon to the definition of saltwater gamefish. Would allow the LA Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to set regulations for this valuable sportfish.  SUPPORT.

HCR5   by Rep. Joseph Orgeron.  
Amends Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rules regarding red drum harvest to create an exception to the maximum size prohibition. It authorizes the department to issue special permits for bull red harvest for certain limited tournaments.  While we understand the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo and a few others would like to continue the "weigh in" of big reds, we suggest what kayak tournaments do - a measuring board, a photo, and an app.  OPPOSE.

SB111   by Senator Caleb Kleinpeter.           
Proposes a minimum size limit of 14 inches and daily take limit of 5 for black bass and a minimum size limit of 8 inches and daily take limit of 25 for crappie within the Atchafalaya Basin and surrounding tributaries and distributaries.  These regulations are similiar to what Texas has and has proven to reduce dips in reproduction cycles for bass and crappie.  For that reason, we have long supported the same regulations for Piney Hills region of Louisiana which are near identical to the Piney Hills waters of east Texas.

However, after watching a presentation by Brac Salyers, LDWF Fisheries Biologist Manager for the Atchafalaya Basin, it's clear that the issues with Basin gamefish are much more related to difficult environmental conditions than due to overfishing.  Bottom line: stricter regulations would have little effect. 

Process and Action 

House Bill (HB) must first be introduced into the House Natural Resources Committee.  Approval by the HNCR assures a full vote on the House floor.  Likewise, Senate Bills (SB) must be first introduced into the Senate Natural Resources Committee.  That's why it's critical to contact the appropriate Committee members first and let them know your position.

Members of the House Natural Resources Committee  (HB bills)
https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Cmtes/NaturalResources

Members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee  (SB bills)
https://senate.la.gov/Sen_Committees/NaturalResources  

Red Stick Day this Saturday

31st annual Red Stick Day
Saturday, March 7th, 2026
8:30am to 3:00pm
LDWF Waddill Outdoor Education Center
4141 North Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge, LA
FREE admission!

RSD is one of the longest-running fly fishing festivals in the South. There’s seminars by local and regional experts, fly tying demos by several of the top fly tiers on the northern Gulf Coast, casting instruction from FFI certified instructors, great food prepared by an award-winning jambalaya cook, loads of raffle items, and more. And best of all, admission is free!

The ponds on the premises at the Waddill Education Center are full of bass and bluegill. In addition, No Wake Outfitters in Metairie will be on hand with various rods for folks to demo cast.  

Details about the event, including speaker and tier bios, schedule of activities, and more can be found by clicking on the “Red Stick Day” at the Red Stick Fly Fishers website at www.rsff.org.

The spawn is on!

Around here in the Cenla area, the water temperatures have been close to the spawning range for bass.  And with a full moon coming up, everyone is getting their boat or kayak ready and anxious to hit the water.  Problem has been very windy conditions for the past week.  In fact, yesterday the wind was so strong, the Weather Channel gave it a name!

And then, just like that... calm!  And the result for me was the best bass fishing of the year so far. Took the canoe out and found the girls on the banks and eating olive Boogle Bugs. These bugs imitate small frogs which, here on the home lake, are seemingly everywhere right now. 

 

The only thing more exciting than watching a popper get consumed by a bass is watching that bass jump a few times after it gets hooked.  Yeah, maybe watching a redfish eat your fly is exciting too. But like white men, redfish can't jump, so there's that.

 

After landing several baskeens in the 13 to 15 inch range, I finally hooked into the big girl I was looking for. She came out the water entirely... not once, twice, but three times. The third time she spit the fly. Disappointing for my efforts to put a big bass into the Kisatchie Fly Fishers "Big Catch" and Red Stick Fly Fishers "Big Stick" contests. But there can never be too much disappointment when it comes to such a spectacular display! 

 

Incidently, all bass were released. These fish are in the process of creating a new supply for anglers to enjoy. Release them now and keep them later after the spawn (if you wish).

Learn fly fishing basics at these upcoming clinics

Fly fishing is a great hobby, but the learning phase can be somewhat lengthy if you don't have instruction to help guide you through the tackle, terminology, and most important, the casting basics. That's where fly fishing clinics can get beginners on the fast track.

With the closing of the Orvis store in Baton Rouge, which provided several clinics through the year, the options for those seeking a comprehensive course are fewer.  But at least two hands-on workshops are available coming in February - and both are free! 

Acadiana Fly Fishing 101 - Feb. 21

The Acadiana Fly Rodders of Lafayette will host  a "Fly Fishing 101" on Saturday, February 21st at the East Regional Lafayette Parish Library in Youngsville.  Time is 10:00am to 1:00pm. 
There is no cost, but pre-registration is required.

The agenda includes fly fishing overview, hands-on casting instruction led by FFI-Certified Instructors, hands-on knots and leaders, discussion of equipment and accessories needed for fresh and marsh fishing. For complete details or to register, go to www.acadianaflyrodders.org and click on "Fly Fish 101".
  
Cenla Fly Fishing 101 - Feb. 28

The Kisatchie Fly Fishers will host their annual "Fly Fishing 101" on Saturday, February 28th at Booker-Fowler Hatchery on Joan Stokes Rd in Forest Hill. Time is 8:30am to 12:30pm. There is no cost, but pre-registration is required.

The agenda includes fly fishing overview and terminology, hands-on casting led by FFI-Certified Instructors, hands-on knots and leaders, discussion of equipment and accessories needed for fresh and inshore saltwater fishing, and different types of flies for various fish.  For complete details or to register, go to www.kisatchiefly.org and click on "FF101".

Its rainbeaux trout time!

Every winter, rainbow trout are stocked in numerous public lakes and ponds across Louisiana, either by parish agencies or as part of Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries "Get Out and Fish" community fishing program.

The first stockings began before Christmas, by East Baton Rouge Parish Recreation (BREC) in their parish lakes, along with Ascension Parish at Lamar Dixon.  Later in January, LDWF will stock ponds statewide.  A list of locations and dates is on the graphic to the left.  Click on the image to view an enlarged version.

The trout are stocked as put-and-take, with a daily limit of either four (4) or five (5).  In conjunction with their stockings, LDWF holds fishing tournaments at most of their community lakes, while BREC has a tagged fish contest.

Louisiana joins over 30 other states that have wintertime stockings of the popular coldwater species in small lakes and ponds where bank anglers have easy access. It provides a very active fishery at a time when warmwater species are fairly dormant. Whatever trout survive harvesting will likely die sometime in late March or early April when the water temperatures get too warm.

Fly anglers across the state, regardless of skill level, can be found at these ponds once the rainbeaux trout arrive. While corn, marshmallows, powerbait and other "commie tackle" might work best, once the trout become acclimated to the food life of the pond, they soon revert to those bugs. Advantage fly fishers!