06-07-2013, 02:10 PM
The fishery of False River in Pointe Coupee Parish continues to remain a top priority for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. The Department continues to work with the Department of Natural Resources, Pointe Coupee Parish, local legislators, other state agencies and private citizens to address the health of the lake.
Representatives from each of these groups make up the False River Watershed Council, who was charged with developing a plan of action to make improvements to False River and its watershed. The council recently released a report to the Louisiana Legislature, which includes actions that are currently underway as well as future projects that will be implemented when funding becomes available.
As the council awaits additional funding from the legislature to initiate major construction projects, the Department continues to monitor fish populations and has implemented a recurring commercial fishing season. The season allows commercial fisherman to remove the overabundance of rough fish, including buffalo, garfish and carp, in the lake.
In addition, the Department has also ramped up fish stocking efforts in anticipation of future habitat improvement. Since December of 2011, LDWF has stocked over 230,000 redear sunfish fingerlings, over 6,500 Florida largemouth bass fingerlings, and 301 adult Florida largemouth bass. Redear sunfish and largemouth bass have historically been popular sportfish for False River.
In an attempt to ensure greater survival, LDWF is taking a different approach to stocking bass, shifting their efforts from stocking greater quantities of smaller fish to stocking fingerlings and adults.
As future projects are underway, Department biologists will continue to monitor any changes in fish populations.
For more information about the False River Watershed Council plan please visit LADNR False River Restoration Page.
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.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.
For press inquiries, contact Ashley Wethey at awethey@wlf.la.gov (225) 765-2396.
Representatives from each of these groups make up the False River Watershed Council, who was charged with developing a plan of action to make improvements to False River and its watershed. The council recently released a report to the Louisiana Legislature, which includes actions that are currently underway as well as future projects that will be implemented when funding becomes available.
As the council awaits additional funding from the legislature to initiate major construction projects, the Department continues to monitor fish populations and has implemented a recurring commercial fishing season. The season allows commercial fisherman to remove the overabundance of rough fish, including buffalo, garfish and carp, in the lake.
In addition, the Department has also ramped up fish stocking efforts in anticipation of future habitat improvement. Since December of 2011, LDWF has stocked over 230,000 redear sunfish fingerlings, over 6,500 Florida largemouth bass fingerlings, and 301 adult Florida largemouth bass. Redear sunfish and largemouth bass have historically been popular sportfish for False River.
In an attempt to ensure greater survival, LDWF is taking a different approach to stocking bass, shifting their efforts from stocking greater quantities of smaller fish to stocking fingerlings and adults.
As future projects are underway, Department biologists will continue to monitor any changes in fish populations.
For more information about the False River Watershed Council plan please visit LADNR False River Restoration Page.
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.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.
For press inquiries, contact Ashley Wethey at awethey@wlf.la.gov (225) 765-2396.