Gene Reynolds, vice-chair of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, addressed the Minden Lions Club on July 18, discussing recent departmental changes. Reynolds, a Dubberly resident and former Louisiana House of Representatives member, was elected vice-chair in January and has served on the Commission since 2021.
Reynolds outlined the structure and responsibilities of the seven-member Commission, which includes industry representatives and at-large members. The Commission, which sets departmental policies, can be overruled by the legislature or governor.
Madison Sheahan, the new Department of Wildlife and Fisheries secretary, was praised by Reynolds for her intelligence and energy. “Very smart, very energetic, and I think she’s doing a really good job,” he said.
Significant policy changes include adjusting the fishing distance for pogies, or menhaden, to half a mile from the coast for most of the state and one mile in certain areas. This aligns Louisiana’s regulations with other states. Additionally, new data showed declining speckled trout populations, leading to a uniform limit of 15 trout statewide with a size limit of 13 inches. “I think this is going to make the speckled trout population rebound for us,” Reynolds commented.
Redfish limits have also been revised to four per person, with a ban on keeping bull reds due to the harm caused by prolonged fights. Reynolds explained, “When you catch them, you fight them for about 45 minutes. After that, not many of them make it. That’s your brood stock, those big females like that, and our numbers are down.” This change is part of a 25-year plan to recover the redfish population.
Other updates include a ban on flounder fishing from October 15 through November 30 during their major migration, moving the start of turkey season from the fourth Saturday in March to the first Saturday in April to accommodate nesting season, and a limited bear hunting season requested by the legislature. The bear season will allow hunting in a few parishes with only ten permits issued statewide through a lottery system.
Regarding the Lake Bistineau drawdown, gates will be opened on July 29 and closed on November 15. Reynolds emphasized the importance of projecting and releasing these dates for property owner planning.
The Minden Lions Club hosts engaging speakers every Thursday at noon at the American Legion Memorial Hall, located at 119 W. Pine Street in downtown Minden.