Southeast LA

Inshore Fishing

Five men cited for illegal fishing on Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA

June 30, 2011 From News Reports

Five Houma-area men were cited Monday (June 27) for alleged illegal activity on Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported.

Agents cited Tony Vaughn, 27, of Montegut; Craig Vogel, 25, of Houma; and Jamie Theriot, 31, of Houma for not abiding by WMA rules and regulations after agents allegedly observed the men crabbing on one of the WMA dams after legal sunset.[…]

News Breaker

Donaldsonville gun club, three men fined $34,810 for baiting dove field

June 29, 2011 From News Reports

The Palo Alto Rod and Gun Club and three Donaldsonville men on June 24 pleaded guilty to Migratory Bird Treaty Act violations in Federal Middle District Court in Baton Rouge, and were ordered by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Riedlinger to pay a total of $34,810 in fines and assessments for the violations, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported today (June 29).[…]

News Breaker

23 billfish tagged, released in 39th New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament

June 22, 2011 From News Reports

The 39th New Orleans Invitational Billfish Tournament was held out of Venice last weekend (June 17-18), and a total of 23 billfish were caught, tagged and released by the 24 participating boat crews.

This tournament is regarded as the tournament that put Gulf of Mexico big-game fishing on the map and inspired the many offshore tournaments being held currently across the region.

The fleet found a beautiful rip-line about 54-miles southeast of South Pass and conditions that were conducive to great fishing.

[…]

Inshore Fishing

With spillway closing, Lake Pontchartrain enters next phase

June 18, 2011 From News Reports

Last Saturday (June 11,) the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began closing the Bonnet Carre spillway. Closing 20 to 30 bays per day (river stage permitting), the structure may be entirely closed in a couple of weeks.

With the closure comes the next phase of impacts to Lake Pontchartrain. Lake users are asked to contact the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation if they happen to encounter anything out of the ordinary so the foundation can track locations of events.[…]

Breaking News

Portion of Atchafalaya Basin reopens to all boat traffic

June 14, 2011 From News Reports

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has reopened all boat traffic for a four-mile long stretch in the Atchafalaya Basin in St. Martin Parish starting at noon today (June 13).

The department closed an area from the Henderson levee on the west side to the Butte La Rose levee on the east side to all boat traffic on May 26. The width of the previous closure ran from the Interstate 10 Bridge on the south side to a line 1/2 a mile north of the bridge on the north side.[…]

Breaking News

Oil slick being investigated out of Baptiste Collete

June 9, 2011 Andy Crawford

Capt. Ron Price was heading out to Breton Sound to put his clients on some fish this morning (June 8), but was surprised when he came across an oil slick about 2 miles northeast of Baptiste Collette.

“It stunk really bad,” Price said.

Photos and a short video showing the slick are being obtained by LouisianaSportsman.com, and will be posted as soon as possible.[…]

Inshore Fishing

Rig-jumping in Lake Borgne productive despite river water

June 8, 2011 Chris Ginn

Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne have been getting an underserved bad rap since the opening of the Bonnet Carre Spillway several weeks ago. Nervous anglers have been watching the mud line creep eastward across Pontchartrain, but those in the know have discovered that mud hasn’t as shut down the trout bite.

“Guys in Venice have been dealing with mud for as long as they’ve fished down there,” Capt. John Falterman with Therapy Charters said. “And that hasn’t stopped them. They’ve learned that beneath the ugly surface is the green water that trout love. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.”[…]