ANIMAL FISHING PROGRAMS 

LUNKER BASS PROGRAM

The Louisiana Lunker Bass Program (LLBP) began in 1997 as a cooperative effort between the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries (LDWF), Southern Pride Bass Club (SPBC) and the Association of Louisiana Bass Clubs (ALBC) to promote and enhance the largemouth bass fisheries of the state of Louisiana. The funding for this program came from the proceeds of a benefit bass tournament sponsored by SPBC and the ALBC in memory of Mr. Nookie Diaz. These proceeds were donated to the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Foundation and were specified to be spent on enhancement of the Florida largemouth bass in our state fish hatchery system. Thus, the Louisiana Lunker Bass Program was created. The continuation and progression of this program will depend on the successful procurement of adequate donated funds.

Through this program, anglers may donate a 12 pound or greater largemouth bass to the LDWF for spawning, exhibiting, or research purposes. Any angler who legally catches a largemouth bass at least 12 pounds from December 1 - April 30 of the current year in Louisiana waters and is willing to donate their fish to the program will, following acceptance by LDWF personnel, receive a free replica of their fish and a certificate of appreciation from the LLBP. Spawning of the donated lunker will be attempted at the Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery (BFFH) in Forest Hill, La. After the spawning period, the bass will be moved to an exhibit aquarium located at BFFH's Visitors Center. Any fingerlings that are produced from the lunker fish will be stocked back into the lake from which the parent came.

For a largemouth bass to be accepted into the program, the angler must sign a statement stating that the fish was legally caught in Louisiana and that all rights of use and ownership to the fish will be transferred to the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Qualified fish will be transported by LDWF personnel to the Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery.

Anyone who catches a largemouth bass that may qualify should go to their nearest contact point or call the nearest LDWF District Fisheries Coordinator. Please see the Official Rules and List of Contacts. For more information about LLBP call (318-748-6914) or e-mail the Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery.

To view pictures of the bass that have been donated to the LLBP since its inception in 1998, visit our PHOTO ALBUM. For lunker statistics, please see the LUNKER DONATIONS page.

LLBP OFFICIAL RULES & LIST OF CONTACTS

Official Rules:

1. The program is limited to largemouth bass weighing 12 pounds or greater.
   
2. The program is in effect from January 1 - April 30 of the current year.
   
3. The fish must be legally caught in Louisiana waters.
   
4. A replica of the lunker and a certificate of appreciation will be given to the successful fisherman after his/her donation for all the rights of use and ownership of the accepted lunker are given to LDWF.
   
5. An LDWF Inland Fisheries Biologist will be responsible for accepting a fish into the program, based on his judgement that the fish will be able to survive and spawn.
   
6. Possession of the fish must be transferred to a designated LDWF representative within 12 hours of capture.
   

7. The fish must be alive and in good condition. The angler must sign a statement transferring all rights of use and ownership of the lunker to the LDWF.

List of Contacts:

District 1 - LDWF District Office in Minden, LDWF District Biologist James Seales: (318)371-3050 or (318)371-3046

District 2 - LDWF District Office in Monroe, LDWF District Biologist Mike Wood: (318)343-4045 or (318)343-4046

Caney Lake: Brown's Landing (318)259-6649, Caney Lake Marina (318)249-2665, or Little Buck's Store (318)249-4437

District 3 - LDWF District Office in Alexandria, LDWF District Biologist Ricky Moses: (318)487-5888

Cleco Lake: Wilda Trading Post, Wayne Radisill: (318)793-4595

Toledo Bend (Southend Area): Toledo Bend Research Laboratory, LDWF District Biologist Ricky Yeldell: (318)286-5881 or Buckeye Landing (318)586-7500

Toledo Bend (Midlake Area): Toledo Tackle: (318)256-5613 or Toledo Bend Resort: (318)286-9257

District 4 - LDWF District Office in Ferriday, LDWF District Biologist Mike Ewing: (318)757-4571

Lake Concordia: Lakeview Lodge, Sue Ardoin: (318)757-2267 or Sportsman's Lodge, Joe DeArmond: (318)757-4381

District 5 - LDWF District Office in Lake Charles, LDWF District Biologist Bobby Reed: (318)491-2577

District 6 - LDWF District Office in Opelousas, LDWF District Biologist Jody David: (318)948-0255

Cary's Sporting Goods: Mark (318)363-2526

District 7 - LDWF District Office in Baton Rouge, LDWF District Biologist Mark Lawson: (225)765-2336

District 8 - LDWF District Office in Lacombe, LDWF District Biologist Howard Rogillio: (504)882-5228

District 9 - LDWF District Office in New Iberia, LDWF District Biologist Mike Walker: (318)373-0032

Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery, Biologist Supervisor, Paul Whitehead (318)748-6914 or Call our Toll Free Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-442-2511

DONATIONS MADE TO THE LLBP

1998

2000

2002

2003

2004