VILLE PLATTE ROTARY CLUB MEETING

FEBRUARY 25, 2014

     Biologist Jody David with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission was the special guest of Rotarian Mitch Fontenot at the Ville Platte Rotary Club meeting today (Tuesday) at noon.

     David announced new rules dealing with the use of yo yos at Chicot Lake. The old rule called for the use of yo yo’s from Nov through March up to a maximum of 24. Now, the new rule calls for no date restrictions and up to 50 yo yo’s are now permitted.

      The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission is considering removing the slot limit for large mouth bass at Chicot Lake .. After a study conducted at the lake, it was shown that 77 percent of fishermen fishing at Chicot Lake are practicing catch and release. David said the lake has been stocked every year since 1988 and there are approximately 2.4 million bass in Chicot Lake. There have been large bass up to 13 pounds caught in the lake.

    David also said other area lakes have been stocked including Miller’s Lake, Crooked Creek and Cocodrie Lake.

    State Wildlife officials plan to apply herbicide in the spring near the Landing. Also last December, the state added sterile grass carp to help control the vegetation. They are also planning to drop the lake by two feet in the fall.

    The state also has issued some 32 to 40 tags for alligator harvesting at Chicot Lake this past year. The rules call for one  per 100 acres of lake.