Family Fish Fest - July 11

6:00 am to Noon:

• Registration ……………………………….…………………….……………..… 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Fishing/Weigh-in ………………………………………………………………6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Activities…………………………………………………………………………….9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Lunch provided ………………………………………………………………….10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
• Awards Ceremony and Giveaways ……………………………………..11:30 a.m.

1. Fishing equipment is not provided at this event; bring your own gear and bait
2. Must abide by current state laws and regulations
3. HONOR SYSTEM – all fish entered must be caught by that participant
4. One “Angler” award per participant; winners must be present to receive prizes
5. All youth 15 and under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times
6. All fish must be caught from shore
7. Each fish may only be entered in ONE division/category

Download Rules & Guidelines Here (attach pdf)

LITTLE ANGLER (ages 8 and under)

• 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place heaviest fish in each of the following categories:
• LIVE Redfish (16”-27”): Fish must be alive. Fish will be tagged and released.
• LIVE Speckled Trout (12”+): Fish must be alive. Fish will be tagged and released.
• Trash Fish (any legal species)

JUNIOR ANGLER (ages 9-15)

• 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place heaviest fish in each of the following categories:
• LIVE Redfish (16”-27”): Fish must be alive. Fish will be tagged and released.
• LIVE Speckled Trout (12”+): Fish must be alive. Fish will be tagged and released.
• Trash Fish (any legal species)

ADULT ANGLER (ages 16 and older)

• 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place heaviest fish in each of the following categories:
• LIVE Redfish (16”-27”): Fish must be alive. Fish will be tagged and released.
• LIVE Speckled Trout (12”+): Fish must be alive. Fish will be tagged and released.
• Trash Fish (any legal species)

CRAB COUNT (All ages)

• 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place for the most crabs brought to weigh-in.
• Crabs may be marked by LDWF staff and can only be entered ONCE (multiple visits to the Weigh-In Station are NOT allowed for the crab division).

• Mobile Touch Tank, fish identification, knot tying, how to age a fish, casting tutorials, fish crafts.

Visit the Scavenger Hunt tent for a list of required items to turn in for a chance to win a prize!

• $10 entry fee includes t-shirt, lunch, raffle ticket and activities.
• Each registered participant will automatically be entered into a raffle drawing for great prizes.
• Participants that weigh in a live redfish or speckled trout will receive a raffle ticket for EACH live fish brought in. Drawing will be held during awards for a K2 cooler!

The first 50 entries receive a free rod and reel, and the first 100 entries will receive a fishing goody bag.

1. Rules – Decisions of the Tournament Director are final in all matters and are not subject to appeal. By participating in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Family Fish Fest, each contestant agrees to be bound by the Tournament Guidelines and by the rules stated herein. The Tournament Director reserves the right to not allow continued participation in the event by any contestant for any reason.
2. Participation – Participants are required to follow all applicable federal, state and local regulations and laws. Any violation may result in disqualification from the tournament. Participants must bring their own fishing gear and bait, and must provide their own container to transport live fish. See the Tournament Guidelines for specific division and category descriptions. By participating in this event, each contestant grants the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries permission to use their likeness in a photograph in any and all of its publications, video productions and promotional items, including website entries, without payment or any other consideration. These materials will become the property of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries and will not be returned.
3. Fish, Fishing Methods and Locations – All fish must be wild and caught by rod and reel utilizing conventional methods. Artificial lures and live or dead bait may be used during competition. Participants may not catch fish or weigh-in fish that have been caged or confined in an area prior to the tournament. Foul hooked fish shall not be eligible for competition. Fishing is permitted from the shore and/or piers, except areas that are designated as “off limits” or “no fishing” by private ownership or local, state and federal officials. All fish entered in the tournament must be caught by that registered participant. Each fish may only be entered in ONE category/division. All live fish entered will be tagged and released by LDWF staff.
4. Entry Fee and Registration – Entry fee is $10 per participant if pre-registering online or registering onsite. Entry fees are nonrefundable. Registration may be completed online at wlf.la.gov/familyfishfest or in-person the morning of the tournament. Online registration will close at noon the Thursday prior to the tournament. Cash or check will be the only accepted methods of payment for onsite registration. All participants will be assigned numbers according to the order of completed registration. Participants MUST check in with tournament staff to receive angler’s number prior to start of fishing.
5. Divisions – There are three divisions:
6. Little Angler – Youth age 8 or under.
7. Junior Angler – Youth age 9-15.
8. Adult Angler – Adults age 16 and older.
9. Safety – At the discretion of the Tournament Director, the tournament may be shortened or canceled due to unsafe conditions. The tournament will not start under a U.S. Coast Guard “Gale or Storm Warning” or until “Safe Light” is determined. Participants are expected to use their best judgment. No action by the Tournament should be construed as an endorsement or representation concerning whether it is safe to continue fishing at any given time. The Tournament will not give advice or recommendations to participants concerning weather conditions.
10. Sportsmanship – All Participants are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, safety, conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, LDWF personnel and staff, and event sponsors and the sport of fishing. If conduct does not comply with the standards set forth, the Tournament Director shall have the right to refuse any entry, or to deny confirmed entry of a previously accepted entry, or disqualify a participant.
11. Official Checkpoints – There will be three official Weigh-In Stations located near the water and designated by tan tents with LDWF logo. Weigh-In ends at 11am; no fish may be weighed-in after tabulation of final results has begun.
12. Scoring – The total weight of each participant’s catch during the tournament shall be measured in pounds and 100^th of a pound. To be entered in the contest, redfish must be between 16”-27” and speckled trout must be over 12”. All “trash fish” entered must be follow legal limits. All fish will be measured with mouth closed and rotated to obtain the fish’s maximum overall length. The measurement will be from the tip of the snout to the extreme tip of the tail fin. Any fish over/under the designated slot will be disqualified. Any fish that appears to have been mangled, mashed, mauled or otherwise altered will not be weighed at the discretion of the Weigh Masters. All LIVE redfish or speckled trout entered will be tagged and released by LDWF staff. Participants will receive one raffle ticket for each LIVE redfish or speckled trout brought in to be tagged by LDWF for a grand prize. A penalty may be charged for any dead redfish or speckled trout entered. Crabs entered into the Crab Count category will be marked by LDWF staff and may only be counted ONE time (multiple visits to the Weigh-In Station are NOT allowed for the crab division). Participants may only place in ONE category/division and must be present to accept prize. In the event of a tie, placement will be decided by the first fish that was weighed-in.

Liability – Participation of Contestants in the LDWF Family Fish Fest is voluntary and at their own risk. By virtue of participating, Contestants agree to protect, defend, indemnify, save and hold harmless, the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation, the State of Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, its Commission, and all officers, agents, servants, employees, and volunteers thereof, from and against any and all claims, damages, expenses, and liability arising out of injury or death to any person or the damage, loss or destruction of any property which may occur, or in any way grow out of, any act or omission of Contestant in connection with participation in the Tournament, or any and all costs, expenses and/or attorney fees incurred by Contestant as a result of any claims, demands, suits, or causes of action arising out of participation in the Tournament. Contestant agrees to investigate, handle, respond to, provide defense for and defend any such claims, demands, suits, or causes of action at its sole expense and agrees to bear all other costs and expenses related thereto, even if the claims, demands, suits, or causes of action are groundless, false or fraudulent.