The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is continuing the spring season of the Fishing Course Series (FCS) with a full schedule of courses across the state, including locations in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Ruston, Grambling, Pineville, Hammond, Houma, and West Monroe. Courses will include Intro to Fishing, Beginner Bass Fishing, Beginner Catfishing, and Intermediate Catfishing. These courses are currently scheduled through June, and several of these classes will coincide with our two spring Get Out & Fish! catfish stockings.
This will also mark the pilot run of our newest FCS class: Fishing Secrets Explained. This stand-alone class will focus on teaching anglers lesser-known tips, techniques, and gear that can improve angling success. The pilot course will be held at our Pineville Get Out & Fish! location, Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site. Just like our other FCS classes, the class will run 2-hours with a mix of lecture, hands-on application, and time for questions and discussion. Participants will also take home complementary information and tackle items.
Each FCS class will be open to all ages and limited to 10 participants, with a waitlist option. Equipment will be provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own gear as well. Participants will receive a take-home bag with useful information and sample tackle related to the course. Anglers 18 & older must possess a valid recreational fishing license to participate, and anglers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Recreational fishing licenses can be purchased at www.louisianaoutdoors.com.
To register for one of the FCS courses, visit Lousianaoutdoors.com/events and select the event type “Fishing Ed” to see all available FCS courses. If you need assistance registering, please contact outreach@wlf.la.gov or call Joshua Porter (225) 763-3540. For more information on the Fishing Course Series and Get Out & Fish! programs, please visit wlf.louisiana.gov/page/fishing-workshops and wlf.louisiana.gov/page/get-out-and-fish.
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.
The Fishing Course Series is hosted in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF). The LAWFF was formed to help expand and support LDWF education and research programs with additional resources developed through its own facilities. Encouraging support for LDWF programs is the major focus of the Foundation, accomplished by connecting people and businesses with Louisiana’s natural resources. For more information, visit www.lawff.org.
The Fishing Course Series is funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, a USFWS grant program that provides grant funds to the states, the District of Columbia and insular areas fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access and aquatic education.