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The new Fishing Course Series launched by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) last month was well received, and we are happy to announce the addition of courses across Louisiana. The next group of courses will be offered in the Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Houma, Lake Charles, and Natchitoches areas. In addition to Intro to Fishing Courses, LDWF has added a Beginner Catfishing Course and courses offered to “All Ages” to encourage parents and/or guardians to participate with their children.

The Beginner Catfishing course will be geared towards participants with basic fishing knowledge or anglers who have completed an Intro to Fishing course and are 16 years and older. Participants will learn catfish species identification, basic fish behavior, proper fish handling, equipment overview, basic rigging, and bait selection, followed by an hour of fishing with LDWF staff.

The “All Ages” course is exclusive to parents or guardians accompanying participants under 18 years of age with an increased participant capacity from 10 to 20 to accommodate families. Just like the standard courses, the curriculum will be fast-paced and geared towards educating adults in order for them to guide children during the fishing portion of the program.

To view the upcoming schedule and register for one of the FCS courses, visit http://www.louisianaoutdoors.com/events and select the event type: Fishing Ed. If you need assistance registering, please contact outreach@wlf.la.gov or call Chris Conner at (318) 487-5336 OR Joshua Porter (225) 763-3540. For more information on the Fishing Course Series program, please visit www.wlf.la.gov/page/fishing-workshops.

Equipment will be provided for all courses, but participants are also encouraged to bring their own gear. All in attendance will take home a package of informative material, starter tackle and gear courtesy of H&H Lure and Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana. Anglers 18 & older must possess a valid recreational fishing license to participate. Visit www.louisianaoutdoors.com to purchase a fishing license.

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.