It's time to sign up and Get Your Fish On! Join your friends at the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges Complex and the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges, Inc. for the 30th annual Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge’s Youth Fishing Rodeo, June 10, 2023. 

Registration is $10 per child and is open until May 26 or the event is full, whichever comes first, so reserve your spot now. Open to the first 120 youth between the ages of 4 -15 who register. This family event is for both experienced and new anglers. Registered children receive a t-shirt, bait, and the whole family gets lunch. Prizes are awarded in four youth age categories and a grand prize.

Located at the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge, Jim Schmidt Boardwalk and Trailhead, 70242 Atlas Rd, Pearl River, LA 70452. Sunscreen, insect repellent, and lawn chairs recommended.

To register, go to: https://www.flwr.org/event-details/2023-annual-youth-fishing-rodeo-bogue-chitto-refuge.

BYOP: bring your own fishing pole or use one of theirs*. Financial aid is available; email lwrfriends@gmail.com for more information.

Families welcome, however only pre-registered youth are allowed to fish during rodeo time. Rodeo fishing is from 7:30 - 11 a.m. Held at Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge near Pearl River. After fishing for prizes is over, the pond is open to all anglers, and it is Louisiana Free Fishing Weekend so you won’t need a license to fish that day.

*No pole? No problem! A limited supply of loaner fishing poles are available for pick up in Lacombe, LA, courtesy of the Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges. Call (985) 882-2015 or email lwrfriends@gmail.com to reserve a pole today.

Bogue Chitto Youth Fishing Rodeo 2023 is sponsored by the Southeast Louisiana Wildlife Refuges in collaboration with Friends of Louisiana Wildlife Refuges Inc., and is supported by many community partners. For more information, call Ranger Rebecca Larkins at (985) 882-2015 or email rebecca_larkins@fws.gov. To learn more about the Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge, visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Bogue_Chitto.

GET OUT AND ENJOY SOME GREAT LOUISIANA OUTDOORS!

Photos courtesy Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges. 2021 Photo: Amelia Goodeaux holding her catch from the 2021 Virtual Youth Fishing Rodeo. Amelia was awarded a special creative art award for her sign.