Battle for the Bass in New Orleans

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries invites high school students throughout the state to join us on April 2 for the first annual Battle for the Bass, a fishing tournament hosted in conjunction with the 69th annual Big Bass Rodeo in New Orleans City Park.
Teams of up to five high school students will represent their respective school and compete to take the coveted first place trophy. The best combined weight of two bass from each team will determine the winner, and those who place will receive a plaque and fishing gear courtesy of Berkley.
Registration is required to participate and will close at noon on April 1. Online registration is available at www.fishla.org/community-outreach/bfb. Students interested in registering to become a Berkley Fishing Club member can register at hs.berkley-fishing.com. The first 50 students who register for both the Berkley Fishing Club and Battle for the Bass will also receive a Berkley tackle bag.
Two additional events, the Big Bass Rodeo and Fishtival and Boats on the Bayou, will run concurrent to Battle for the Bass and are open to the public.
The 69th annual Big Bass Rodeo and Fishtival has grown into one of the most popular youth fishing events in the country. This non-professional rodeo provides fishing categories and activities for all ages and is a great opportunity to teach novice anglers about the sport of fishing. In addition, fisheries staff will be on hand to assist anglers and answer questions about fishing basics and fish identification. Other exciting features include a mobile touch tank, fish tagging demonstrations and photo opportunities with Robbie the Redfish.
Boats on the Bayou is held on Bayou St. John and offers an opportunity for those with non-motorized boats including kayaks and canoes to compete. This event is limited to 100 participants, so those interested are encouraged to register early.
Additional details and online registration for the Big Bass Rodeo and Boats on the Bayou can be found at www.neworleanscitypark.com/big-bass-fishing-rodeo-and-fishtival. Registration fees range from $5 to $10, depending on the age of the angler.
For event related questions, contact Danica Williams at dwilliams@wlf.la.gov.