New regulations coming for Atchafalaya Watershed

Starting August 1, 2026, new recreational fishing regulations for black bass and crappie will take effect in portions of the Atchafalaya Basin and adjacent waterbodies in south-central Louisiana.  

Unlike most fishing regulations - which are implemented by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission - these were initiated through Senate Bill 111 by Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter during the 2026 legislative session.  SB111 passed both chambers by unanimous votes and was signed into law by Gov. Landry.

The following regulations will apply to all waters within the designated area indicated below:

Black bass (incl. Largemouth, Florida, Spotted and hybrids)

•  Daily Creel Limit: 5 fish
•  Minimum length: 12 inches

Crappie (incl. Black, White, and hybrids)

•  Daily Creel Limit: 25 fish
•  Minimum length: 8 inches

Major waterbodies within the area of regulation change include, but are not limited to:  Henderson Lake, Pat's Bay, Alabama Bayou, Grassy Lake, Lake Verret, Lake Palourde, and the majority of the Atchafalaya Basin.

The area covered by the new regulations is within the area south of US 190 from the West Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee to the intersection of LA 1 and US 190 due north of Port Allen, east of the West Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee from US 190 to US 90, north of US 90 from the West Atchafalaya Basin Protection Levee to LA 20, north and west of LA 20 from US 90 to LA 1 in Thibodaux, south and west of LA 1 from LA 20 to US 190.

Anglers utilizing any boat launch within the regulated area must be in compliance with the new regulations regardless of where their fish were caught.

Areas outside of the designated area will maintain the statewide regulations for black bass and crappie which continue to be:

Black Bass - 10 daily creel, no minimum size limits
Crappie - 50 daily creel, no minimum size limits

Full recreational fishing regulations can be viewed on the LDWF website.

Rio Rumble returns on October 3rd

17th Annual Rio Grande Rumble
Saturday, October 3, 2025

Start: 7:00am (first light for pre-registered)
End: 12:30pm (weigh-in)
Event site: Lafreniere Park, Metairie, LA
$25 entry fee, includes lunch and refreshments

The 2026 edition of the Rio Grande Rumble has just been announced.  Hosted by the New Orleans Fly Fishers Club, the Rumble is the longest running freshwater fly fishing tournament in the South. Target species is the Rio Grande cichlid. This species is native of south Texas but has become widespread in extreme southeast Louisiana. For fly anglers, it’s an opportunity to put their skills up against a very wary species that when hooked, “fights like a wet cat”.

All entry fish must be caught on flies and fly tackle. Categories are “Longest Rio” and “Most Rios Caught”. Net proceeds from the tournament go to Casting For Recovery.

The rodeo is open to all fly anglers. Registration deadline is 8:00am on October 4th. Both onsite registration and weigh-in will be at Lafreniere Park in Metairie. There will also be a Zoom seminar on fishing for the Rio Grande Cichlid. Date and time of the online seminar will be announced shortly.

For complete details, including tournament rules, and to register online, go to the NOFFC website at www.neworleansflyfishers.com.

Governor Landry vetoes tarpon bill

A bill that would have given gamefish status to Atlantic tarpon has been vetoed by Governor Jeff Landry.  This despite House Bill 688 by Rep. Joseph Orgeron having passed both chambers of the Louisiana legislature by unanimous margins.  

As we alluded to in an earlier post, this bill would've done more than just given gamefish status to one of the most prized recreational species in saltwater.  It would have put management of tarpon under the auspices of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. And it turn, the LWFC could've determined the extent of current "catch and kill" tarpon tournaments.  It also would've required LWFC to take actions to limit any activity in which tarpon was a significant bycatch.

In his veto letter, Landry wrote: "I can discern no corresponding conservation benefits in this designation. There is no real harvest pressure on tarpon, and nothing in the science suggests we need new limits or restrictions to protect them. Louisiana anglers do not need more regulatory hurdles for their recreational activities."

The Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) and Fly Fishers International  (FFI) expressed extreme disappointment in this action. It's their belief that this was a measure to further protect the menhaden industry from repercussions of tarpon bycatch. Both organizations are appealing to legislators to include HB688 in a veto override session.  Such sessions are usually held several weeks after the close of the annual routine legislative session.

Ladies invited to special fly tying event

Ladies Fly Tying Night
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
6:00pm – 9:00pm
Metairie, Louisiana
No cost!

As part of the celebration for Womens Fly Fishing Month, FFI Women Connect, the Gulf Coast Council (GCC) of Fly Fishers International (FFI) and No Wake Outfitters are hosting a "Ladies Fly Tying Night" on Tuesday, June 30th.  

Whether you're a beginner, or just looking to tie with some other ladies and share stories, this event is for you! Tools & materials provided. Class size limited, so please register early. To RSVP or more details, contact Lisa Lowman at wconnect@ffigcc.org.

Welcome to SweatFest 2026!

SweatFest.... a celebration of heat, humidity, sunburns hurricanes, and horseflies. As well as swarms of mosquitos. Conversely, it's also fun time for those who love the beach, snowballs, and mowing grass.  

Memorial Day weekend is usually the kickoff for 90 degree days and 70 degree nights, and high humidity.  At least during June there's a good seasonal breeze most of the time.  But come July and August, the wind goes away and the heat index - and the sweating - kicks up a notch. By early September, the nights are long enough for radiative cooling to take effect, even if the days are still a bit balmy.

As for tropical weather forecast, 2026 looks to be a fairly calm one due to a Super El Nino in the Pacific.  The National Weather Service predicts a 55% chance of a below-normal season, with 8-14 named storms, and only 1-3 major hurricanes (categories 3-5).  Of course, it only takes one downturn in the trade winds and with the higher-than-normal Gulf water temperatures, that one possible storm could be the next Katrina, Rita or Laura!  

The summer sun and heat of SweatFest bring dangers to anglers.  Heat stroke and high UV radiation require preparation for fishing trips: bring water and sports drinks, sunscreen, long-brim hats, neck gaiters, long sleeve light-colored UV shirts and pants, and sunglasses (polarized are better).   And for coastal fishermen, there's potential exposure to the vibrio bacteria which has the highest occurence from July through September. There are plenty of web articles on how to cope with these dangers of summer.  Let Google be your friend!

Also be aware that thunderstorms can be a daily occurence in summer. At the first sign of towering  cumulonimbus clouds, start your way back to the launch (especially if you're in a kayak). Lightning can strike from eight miles away, so waiting for lightning to approach is not a smart option!

Fishing-wise, June is usually a decent month, although the bigger fish of Spring are deeper now.  Early morning and late afternoon are still good.  July and August are probably the worst fishing months of the year in Louisiana.  Fish are lethargic as hot water holds little oxygen.  They feed less, and when they do, it's either very early in the morning or at night.  

There are exceptions.  In fact, offshore and nearshore fishing for pelagics is the best of the year in Summer.  Species such as spanish mackerel, jack crevalle, bluefish, bull reds, and sand (white) trout are abundant nearshore and inside passes and interior coastal lakes.  So are gafftop catfish and ladyfish, so it's often a case of avoiding those nuisance species.  And if a tropical storm moves close by - let's hope not, but if it does - the bite can be really good in freshwater lakes and in the brackish marsh just before and after the storm. 

Bill to make tarpon gamefish moves to Senate

We've talked much about legislative bills to limit commercial menhaden harvest in state waters. But another bill, which is getting much less attention, is House Bill 688 by Representative Joseph Orgeron. It would designate the Atlantic Tarpon as a gamefish.

Why is this important? Currently, tarpon in Louisiana are no different than pinfish or hardhead catfish as far as regulatory status goes. And yet, the state’s offshore waters represent not only one of the major migratory grounds, but also a key spawning area.

As a gamefish, tarpon would come under the regulatory management of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, which could then set harvest limits and/or tag requirements.

Every other state has very strict regulations on the harvest of tarpon. Some states, like Florida, permit catch and release only, with exemption of a $50 annual tag for 1 fish only for record purposes. Most states allow 1 per person per year, again with a minimum size limit, and strictly for the pursuit of personal or state record.

So far, there has been little opposition to the bill, which is supported by the Louisiana Wildlife Federation, Fly Fishers International, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, and other conservation groups. The real fight will probably be over the regulation once gamefish status is established. Some fishing rodeo organizers want rodeo exemptions, some conservationists want strictly catch-and-release all the time.   

Late Spring events emerge on calendar

Late Winter is prime season for fly fishing festivals, shows, and "conclaves".  But there's always something going on event-wise even as we approach the dead time of Summer.  

May 30 (Sat) - 6th biennial Cenla Fly Fishing Festival, Kees Park Center, Highway 28 East, Pineville, LA. 8:30am – 3:30pm. Free admission.  This event is a reschedule from the January date that was canceled due to wintry weather.  The Cenla Fest features presentations, fly tying demos, casting clinics, exhibitors and more. Jambalaya lunch available. Benefits Food Bank of Central Louisiana. Hosted by Kisatchie Fly Fishers club. Website: www.kisatchiefly.org. 

June 13 (Sat) - Bite at the Museum. Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Natchitoches, LA.  10:00am - 4:00pm.  Hosted by the ArkLaTexOma Fly Tyers.  This event kicks off Friday evening with a dinner for the registered tiers. On Saturday, the fly tying kicks off at 10am at  the LA Sports Hall of Fame Museum.  Admission fees are $6 adults ages 18-61, $5 for students over age 7, military and seniors. For more info, check out the ALTO website at www.arklatexomaflytyers.com or Facebook page.

June 25 (Thu) - Fly Fishing Film Tour benefitting Casting for Recovery - Southeast Chapter.  NOLA Brewing & Pizza Company, 3033 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans. 5:30pm doors open for fundraiser, 7:00pm films begin. Silent auction, prize raffles, local vendors and more. This event raises money for Casting for Recovery retreats for breast cancer patients and survivors in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, & Florida panhandle.  For details, go to the CfR-SE Facebook page, or go to www.weblink.donorperfect.com/F3T_NOLA.

If you know of any special event taking place in Louisiana or neighboring state, first check our Calendar page, and if not present, send details to catch@laflyfish.com.