Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents cited two subjects for alleged commercial fishing violations on Jan. 5 in St. Charles Parish.

Agents cited Troy Matherne, 58, of Bayou Gauche, and John Tregle 65, of Des Allemands, for possessing or selling unlabeled catfish or non-catfish species and failing to comply with the Louisiana Small Wild Catfish Processor's Act. Matherne was also cited for selling or buying fish without a wholesale/retail license, taking or selling commercial fish or bait species without a commercial license and failing to maintain records. Tregle was also cited for taking commercial fish without a commercial gear license, commercial fisherman selling to consumers without a fresh products license, and failing to complete trip tickets.

On Dec. 28, 2025, agents found a social media post from Matherne advertising the sale of catfish that was created on Dec. 27. The post showed fillets of fish packaged in unlabeled food storage bags. The comments on the post showed people asking how much in a bag and how many pounds per pack. Matherne replied one and two pound bags and $20 for a four pound pack.

During the investigation, agents learned Matherne did not have any commercial licenses in the LDWF system.

On Jan. 5, 2026, agents made contact with Matherne about the Facebook post and to conduct an interview and license compliance inspection. During the interview, Matherne was unable to produce any commercial licenses and said he was selling fish caught by Tregle. Additionally, Matherne admitted to previously selling processed catfish, which there were no records. Also, none of the processed catfish fillets were labeled as required by law.

Agents then made contact with Tregle and he admitted he helped Matherne sell the fish he caught. During the interview, Tregle was only able to produce a commercial fisherman's license. Tregle admitted to using five hoop nets to catch the catfish they were selling. Tregle was unable to produce trip tickets or records of the processed catfish being caught and sold.

Possessing or selling unlabeled catfish or non-catfish species carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Taking commercial fish without a without a commercial gear license, selling or buying fish without a wholesale/retail license, failing to maintain records, and taking or selling commercial fish or bait species without a commercial license brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Failing to comply with the Louisiana Small Wild Catfish Processor's Act brings up to a $25 fine and 10 days in jail.

Agents participating in this case are Corporal Austin Anderson and Corporal Cody Salpietra.