Tagged: department of wildlife and fisheries

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking residents in areas that may be affected by Hurricane Isaac to be on the lookout for fish kills.

The department said kills should be reported to 1-800-442-2511.

Large amounts of rainfall across south Louisiana may erode organic matter and carry it into bayous and canals. Fish can be killed if organic matter sucks high quantities of oxygen from water.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has set the 2012-13 oyster seasons based on oyster stock assessments provided by state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries biologists and the public.

Little Lake Public Oyster Seed Grounds and the Vermilion/East and West Cote Blanche/Atchafalaya Bay Public Oyster Seed Grounds will open at one-half hour before sunrise on Wednesday, Sept. 5.

The Jackson-Bienville Wildlife Management Area is getting smaller.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says its latest lease with the Weyerhaeuser Company will keep about 25,000 acres open to public recreation such as hunting, fishing, hiking, birding and nature photography.

It says about 7,000 acres will be closed to the public. That's nearly 22 percent of the original size.

The property is in Jackson, Bienville and Lincoln parishes. The department has managed it since 1951.

In an effort to control aquatic vegetation, the water control structure on Lake Bistineau near Minden will be opened Aug. 8 for a lake drawdown.

As a result of mild winter temperatures, experts say giant salvinia has expanded beyond the control capacity of herbicide applications and salvinia weevils. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries survey estimates show giant salvinia coverage to be in excess of 2,000 acres.

The lake will be lowered seven feet below pool stage and will remain there until Jan. 31, 2013.

Two Louisiana men have been arrested by wildlife agents for allegedly shocking fish on the Bouef River.

Authorities said Tyler Gilmore, 22, of Fort Necessity, and Derek Guillot, 30, of Winnsboro, were cited July 2 for taking fish using illegal methods after they were found with a shocking device.

Wildlife and Fisheries Sgt. Albert Tarver said Guillot and Gilmore were found in Boeuf River with 13 catfish believed taken with the device.