Night fishing/bowfishing

[SGib]

May fish tonight. Main question is can we bring the bow to try and smoke some gar out in front of the weirs? I dont see where there would be a problem just making sure.

[fullrutt]

You can bring a Bowfishing bow anytime you go fishing... You can shoot night or day..

[SGib]

What I thought just making sure. Thanks

[Gottogo49]

Originally Posted by SGib

May fish tonight. Main question is can we bring the bow to try and smoke some gar out in front of the weirs? I dont see where there would be a problem just making sure.

If I were you, I would make sure that I was outside of the refuge boundary. Rules for fishing inside the refuge are sometimes different than outside the refuge. I'm surprised that they caught the guys stretching a shrimp net across the outside of the Grand Bayou weir in the middle of the night. There must have been a call to the hotline.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Gottogo49

If I were you, I would make sure that I was outside of the refuge boundary. Rules for fishing inside the refuge are sometimes different than outside the refuge. I'm surprised that they caught the guys stretching a shrimp net across the outside of the Grand Bayou weir in the middle of the night. There must have been a call to the hotline.

I think they were actually caught before it was dark. I remember seeing 7:30 pm in the article.

The first 2 weirs to the north are not part of the refuge.

Release Date: 06/06/2012

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division agents cited three Cameron men for alleged fishing violations on May 29 on Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge.
Agents cited Anthony G. Theriot, 36, Philip LeJeune Sr., 50, and Jerimie M. Pugh, 37, for taking and possessing game fish with illegal methods, leaving fishing nets unattended, blocking the passage of fish, taking shrimp with illegal gear and trawling at night.
Around 7:30 p.m. on May 29, LDWF agents observed a vessel traveling across the southern end of Calcasieu Lake before stopping in Grand Bayou where the subjects placed a shrimp trawl across the opening at the Grand Bayou water control structure. Grand Bayou is located on the Cameron Prairie NWR in Cameron Parish.
With the aid of handheld thermal imaging systems, agents watched the subjects placing and running the trawl and emptying the shrimp into the vessel. After the three men emptied their net they would leave the trawl and travel in to Calcasieu Lake to cull shrimp.
Around 10:15 p.m. agents made contact with the three men. Agents seized 661 pounds of shrimp, two speckled trout, a 36 foot shrimp trawl and their vessel.
The three men may also facing federal charges through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for violating rules on a National Wildlife Refuge since this NWR does not allow commercial fishing activity nor night time fishing.
Taking and possessing game fish with illegal methods brings a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in prison. Leaving nets unattended carries a $500 to $750 fine and 15 to 30 days in jail. Blocking the passage of fish and taking shrimp with illegal gear each brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Trawling at night brings a $100 to $350 fine and up to 60 days in jail.
Agents participating in the case were Senior Agent Carl Pickett, Sgt. Aaron Herpin, Sgt. David Sanford and Senior Agent Stuart Guillory.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.

[Gottogo49]

Thanks Mr Gerald for getting the straight story. Did you see anything about bowfishing around Grand or Lambert's? I would think there would be no problems around the first two weirs.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Gottogo49

Thanks Mr Gerald for getting the straight story. Did you see anything about bowfishing around Grand or Lambert's? I would think there would be no problems around the first two weirs.

According to the Web site [March 2012] and the March 2008 regulations booklet that I have, for all the SW Refuge it says:

"....Fishing is permitted with rod and reel or pole and line only on Cameron Prairie and Lacassine NWR's...."


So it does not look like Bow fishing is allowed in the NWR's in SW Louisiana.

The reserve boundry near these locations is the shore line** of Big Lake. Any "fishing" activity can only be from Sun up to Sun down. Not dark to dark.

** At Grand bayou, on the north side, the shore line was washed out by Rita creating a small "cove". IMO.....this "cove is still part of the East Cove reserve.