Slot Limit Removal for Selected Lakes to be Implemented on April 20

(Apr. 10, 2014) – Regulations for black bass on several water bodies will change on Sunday, April 20. Slot limits will be rescinded for Black Bayou Lake in Bossier Parish, Chicot Lake in Evangeline Parish, Cross Lake in Caddo Parish, Lake Rodemacher in Rapides Parish, Vernon Lake in Vernon Parish and Spanish Lake in New Iberia and St. Martin parishes. Statewide regulations, 10 fish daily creel and no length restrictions, will apply for black bass on these lakes.

A recently completed biological evaluation determined the length regulations have not been effective on the selected water bodies. Insufficient harvest of small bass was cited for Black Bayou Lake, Chicot Lake, Cross Lake and Vernon Lake. Habitat impairments are the issue for Spanish Lake and Lake Rodemacher.

The removal of the slot limit on these water bodies will increase opportunities for angler harvest, but the potential for overharvest is expected to be very low. LDWF biologists will continue to monitor fish population status with frequent sampling.

LDWF is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.

For press inquiries, contact Ashley Wethey at awethey@wlf.la.gov or (225) 721-0489.