The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will host its fifth installment of Family Fish Fest on Saturday, July 12 at Elmer’s Island in Grand Isle. This is the Department’s last saltwater event in 2014, so don’t miss the opportunity to join anglers of all experience levels for a day of education and fun.
Join your family in learning fishing basics and participate in activities that will increase your fishing knowledge and skill. Competitive categories are available for nearly every legal species, and every participant is eligible for a myriad of raffle prizes compliments of event sponsors.
Divisions include Little Angler (ages 10 and under), Junior Angler (ages 11-16) and Team (adult and youth). A list of categories for each division can be viewed on the event website www.wlf.la.gov/familyfishfest. Participants are asked to bring their own equipment, bait and live fish transport containers. Live redfish and speckled trout will be tagged and released by LDWF biologists in conjunction with the Louisiana Cooperative Marine Fish Tagging Program.
Activities include a mobile touch tank, fish identification, knot tying lessons, fish ageing, fish tagging, cast net lessons, seining, minnow races, arts and crafts and casting tutorials. Robbie the Redfish, LDWF’s newest mascot, will be onsite for photo opportunities and to greet guests.
Entry for the event is $10 and includes a t-shirt and lunch. The first 50 youth registrants will receive a complimentary rod and reel, courtesy of Pure Fishing, and the first 100 youth registrants will receive a fishing goodie bag. Every registrant will automatically be entered into numerous prize drawings. Pre-registration is available online at www.wlf.la.gov/familyfishfest.
Saturday’s sponsors include CCA Louisiana, Coca Cola Bottling Company Baton Rouge, Pure Fishing, New Orleans Zephyrs, Coon Neck Wildlife and Art Gallery, Dufrene Building Materials, Faux Pas Prints, Whole Foods, Home Depot, Grand Isle Development Community Team, Frank’s Supermarket, Marsh and Bayou Outfitters, Friends of Grand Isle and Emprint Moran Printing.
The LDWF Family Fish Fest is hosted in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation. The LWFF was formed to provide a means for individuals and corporations to become partners with the Department and Commission in the challenge of conserving Louisiana’s wildlife and fish resources.
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.
For more information on Family Fish Fest, contact Danica Williams at dwilliams@wlf.la.gov or (504) 628-7282. For press inquiries, contact Ashley Wethey at awethey@wlf.la.gov or (225) 721-0489.