76th Annual Big Bass Rodeo Winners Announced

On Saturday, March 29, New Orleans City Park hosted the 76th Annual Big Bass Rodeo, with over 400 anglers competing for the championship title. The forecast for the event did not look favorable, but anglers arrived early to beat the projected rain. The 76^th annual event turned out to be beautiful with anglers bringing in multiple 2 to 5 pound bass to the scales throughout the day. 

Angler John Lavarine, III, arrived to the scales early with a 5.26 pound bass feeling confident, but also knowing there are bigger bass in the City Park lagoons. John grabbed his gear and headed back out to fish. He explained he has been fishing this event since 1972 and although feeling good about his fish he knows there are 7 to 9 pound bass in the lagoons in City Park, so he had to work hard to stay on top.  There were many bass weighed, but fortunately for John, nothing heavier than his 5.26 pound Largemouth Bass was brought in, earning him top honors for the day and the Joe Courcelle Award. The Paul Kalman award for the Junior Angler’s Bass Division went to Sebastian Breaux for his 1.81 pound bass. Team Camo continues to keep their presence on the Cichlid and Bream Trim Team Event challenge leaderboard with a combined weight of 7.04 pounds. Scott Daigle took home the Champion’s Challenge category trophy with a 4.20 pound bass.

For the seventh year, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hosted the student angler competition, Battle for the Bass. Twelve different schools and 94 students battled it out to earn the title and bragging rights for the upcoming year. Team Hog Daddies Part 2 from Jesuit High School beat 24 other teams with a winning two-fish combined weight of 2.95 pounds.

A complete list of winners is available below. For more information on Big Bass Rodeo, go to https://neworleanscitypark.org/visit-city-park/big-bass-fishing-rodeo/ or contact Danica Williams at dwilliams@wlf.la.gov.

Battle for the Bass

2nd Place: Team Holy Cross / Holy Cross High School wt.  2.90

3rd Place: Team #3 / Brother Martin High School wt.  2.62

Big Bass Rodeo

Cichlid & Bream Trim (Team Event) Category:

1st Place: Team Camo wt. 7.04

2nd Place: Team C.R.E.A.M.  wt. 6.24

3rd Place: Team Henderson wt. 5.72

Champions Challenge Category:

1st Place: Scott Daigle wt. 4.20

Jr. Angler (12 & younger) – Bream, Cichlid or Perch Category:

1st Place: Oliver Pichon, Jr. wt. 1.27 (cichlid)

2^nd Place: Rylan Dunaway wt. 0.66 (cichlid)

3^rd Place: Jack Karas wt. 0.28 (bream)

Jr. Angler (12 & younger) – Bass Category:

1st Place Paul Kalman Award: Sebastian Breaux wt. 1.81

2nd Place: Liam Schindler wt. 1.27

3rd Place: Cace Olasin wt. 1.03

Adult (13 & older) – Bass Category:

1st Place Joe Courcelle Award: John Lavarine, III wt. 5.26

2nd Place: Kelvin Minor wt. 2.57

3rd Place: Jon Burrell wt. 2.38

About the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries:

The Louisiana 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. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, sign up at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup. 

About New Orleans City Park:

For over 170 years, New Orleans City Park has provided access to abundant natural and cultural resources to residents of the region and visitors from around the world. The Park’s 1,300 acres make it one of the largest urban parks in the United States. City Park is a popular place to fish on the bayou, picnic, experience safe outdoor play, or engage in athletic pursuits—as evidenced by more than 16 million visits each year. To learn more about the Park, visit NewOrleansCityPark.com.