SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 2016 PRESENTED IN PART BY

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rodeo committee Kaye Florane, Chairman Aaron Gelfand, Weigh Master Becky Chaney, Asst. Weigh Master Natalie Weiss, Special Events Manager Julie LaCour, Special Events Director Capt. C.T. Williams, Emcee John Kinabrew Clint Mouser Danica Williams Janice Wood Spencer & Drew Mullen, Jr. Members honorary members Mark Schexnayder Joe Courcelle Family Paul Kalman Family ldwf planning committee Danica Williams Becky Chaney Heather David Missy Fox Tim Ruth Gary Vitrano Bill Hano Rebecca Hillebrandt volunteers Robert & Bobbie Blackerby Marlyn Flannery Susan Landrum Suzanne Manieri Lisa & Joey Musso Sonya Trebucq Jeanette Salone David & Paula Schindler Barbara Sclafani Carolyn Souhlas Maesie Palazzo Patsy Bates Wish To Fish Louisiana Danica Williams, Director Yvette Cresson Tony Dunbar Clarence Luquet Ashley Williams Capt. C.T. Williams Payton Williams

exhibitors Academy East Jefferson CCA Ernie Elfer Chocolatier Gwen Fazende-Artist Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Louisiana Master Naturalist of Greater New Orleans Louisiana Wildlife Federation Mae & Patty Boys Funky Junk Massey’s Outfitters New Orleans Fly Fishers New Orleans Power Squadron LDNR-Office of Coastal Restoration Pure Fishing String A Bead UNO, Nekton Research Lab Uptown Angler U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and “Coastie” Wish To Fish Louisiana

awards ceremony at approximately 11:25 am Mardi Gras Toss Welcome, Special Thanks by Kaye Florane Awards presented by Capt. C.T. Williams, emcee Wish To Fish Winners (with Danica Williams/WTF) Boats on the Bayou Winners and Drawing Battle for the Bass Winners Catfish/Gar Bonus Cichlid & Bream Trim Fly Fishing Champions Challenge Bass - Adult Junior Anglers Special Award s- Joe Courcelle & Paul Kalman $1 Raffle Drawings

Droppin’A Line Great progress has been made since 2002 when I first joined the Big Bass Committee. At that time, attendance was low and the Rodeo quality waning. New committee members breathed life into this great old Rodeo and hopefully the Rodeo’s founder, Paul Kalman, is smiling down at us from Heaven. The Rodeo maintains a steady attendance exceeding 500 registrants each year. The Fishtival was expanded to include more exhibitors and vendors plus the raffle tables are awesome! We added Boats on the Bayou in 2014 allowing kayaks, canoes, etc to fish for saltwater species in Bayou St. John. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries became our partners in presenting the Rodeo adding great depth to exhibits and providing support to the weigh stations with aerated tubs, proper release techniques, etc. This year LDWF will introduce a new category Battle for the Bass High School Fishing Competition. The Big Bass Rodeo continues to grow! A BIG thanks to the committee members, NOCP and LDWF staff, Wish To Fish members and volunteers over the years for your time and hard work. Your participation is greatly appreciated! It has been my pleasure to be Chairman. For all anglers, go out and catch some fish and enjoy the nation’s oldest fresh water fishing rodeo! Kaye Florane, Rodeo Chairman

a special thanks!! Munch Factory Pelican Car Wash Costco Sam’s Club Baker’s Dozen Amanda Musso John Besh Drago’s LaMadeleine LA 23 BBQ

Faux Pas Staples Sporting Goods Sweetwater Brewing Professional Sports Duvic’s Demartino’s Restaurant & Deli El Mesquite Restaurant Salon Naj-Carla Montalbano Krispy Kreme Janice Wood One Smart Cook Co. - Gretna

a special thank you to the louisiana department of wildlife & fisheries, our partners in the rodeo! The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) works hard to make sure City Park’s Big Bass Fishing Rodeo is successful. From the time a fish is caught until it is released, LDWF is there to assist both anglers and fish alike. Their biologists serve as weigh masters, provide aerated tubs to safely hold live fish, and re-release the fish back into City Park’s lagoons after the tournament. LDWF is equally devoted to fishing education and provides hands on learning opportunities for all ages at the rodeo’s Fishtival. Through activities such as casting lessons and a live animal touch tank, LDWF encourages the public to take part in a great Louisiana pastime while demonstrating the responsible use of Louisiana’s aquatic resources. LDWF’s influence in City Park is not just limited to the Big Bass Fishing Rodeo. LDWF biologists continually monitor the fish populations and water quality to help protect Louisiana’s valuable natural resources. Successful management of fish stocks in City Park allows the department to maintain a popular urban fishing spot in New Orleans. In conjunction with the Big Bass Rodeo, LDWF introduced Battle for the Bass to all high school students in Louisiana. This new category offers high school students an opportunity to compete for a large trophy to bring back to their school along with bragging rights for an entire year. LDWF is working with Berkley to promote fishing in schools and increase the number of fishing clubs throughout the state.

where are the cichlids? Team Rio Grande used to be a category in the Big Bass Rodeo. Fishing teams of up to 10 anglers would compete to catch hundreds of cichlids for bragging rights and trophies. Clad in camouflage, bright yellow shirts or other colorful attire, team members would bring in buckets of cichlids, each trying to beat the infamous Team Camo. Then in the 2014 rodeo not even Teams Camo or Stop, Drop & Reel could find many cichlids. Where are the cichlids? Did a really cold winter impact their population? Did stocking with larger bass help? No complaints-this is a good thing. According to Dr. Martin O’Connell, Director of the Nekton Research Laboratory at the University of New Orleans, Rio Grande Cichlids (a non-native invasive fish to southeastern Louisiana) has been targeted by Big Bass Rodeo participants for the past few years. The goal is to reduce the numbers of these destructive fishes such that native species such as Largemouth Bass and Bluegill can better prosper. Often the Cichlids will compete with the native species for nesting habitat and food resources. While it is encouraging that we have seen fewer Cichlids in City Park during recent Big Bass Rodeos, be aware that these invaders are still present and (unfortunately) expanding their range out of the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Currently, there is no quick fix to altogether eliminate Cichlids. For now, the best approach for the sake of our native fishes is to remove as many cichlids as possible from our waterways and keep their populations as low as possible until (hopefully) a solution can be found somewhere in the future. So keep removing Cichlids from City Park, Bayou St. John, and anywhere else in Louisiana and keep fighting the fight to protect our native game fishes.

kudos to wish to fish louisiana! In 2009, Wish To Fish La. joined the Big Bass Rodeo & Fishtival offering a children’s section with casting lessons, how to throw a cast net and a casting contest. Having become a very popular section of the Fishtival, children delight in the competition and chance to win a trophy as well as onstage recognition. Wish to Fish Louisiana is a non-profit that was organized to get kids off the streets, out the house, away from the television and video games and back into the great outdoors. Danica Williams started Wish to Fish knowing that some children lack the resources to experience outdoor activities such as boating and fishing. In her heart she felt she could and should make this happen for as many individuals as possible. So, in 2006, with the help of many wonderful volunteers, the first event was planned and turned out to be a great success. Since then the Wish to Fish crew has organized three to four events per year giving 1,000’s of children opportunity to experience one of the greatest hands-on outdoor education programs. This program builds self-confidence, teaches environmental awareness and appreciation for nature through outdoor activities such as fishing. Visit www.wishtofishla.com for information or call 504-628-7282.

big bass rodeo history By Kaye Florane

Paul Kalman, 1946

Paul Kalman, a local who spent many hours of his childhood fishing the tree-framed waters of City Park, founded the Big Bass Rodeo in 1946. For Kalman and many others, it was an angler’s urban heaven. The only requirements were a hook, line, length of cane and a lazy summer afternoon.

After being injured in service in World War II, Kalman conceived the idea of an annual fishing competition, planting the seeds of what would become City Park’s Big Bass Rodeo. A reporter for the New Orleans Item at the time, Kalman persuaded his bosses to sponsor the inaugural event. Armed with a meat scale borrowed from John Schwegmann’s original grocery store, the first rodeo was launched in 1946. Under his guidance, the rodeo grew to draw as many as 1,000 participants. Although Kalman passed away in 1986, shortly after the rodeo’s 40th anniversary, his legacy lives on today with the Paul Kalman award. His son Paul Jr. and grandson present this award to the angler 12 years or under that lands the largest bass. In the 1980’s Joe Courcelle introduced catch-and-release to the rodeo. He built a 400-gallon tank and asked fishermen to turn in their live catch, which he returned to the lagoons. Joe served as Weigh Master for more than 30 years until 2010 when he stepped down for health reasons. Joe passed away shortly after that and the Joe Courcelle award was created to honor his years of service to the Big Bass Rodeo. This award is given for the largest bass landed by anyone 13 years or older. When the federal levees failed during Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29, 2005, parts of the Park flooded up to eight feet of water. The fishing environment was devastated and the Big Bass Rodeo could not be held in 2006 and 2007. Thanks to efforts from many organizations including LSU AgCenter/Sea Grand, University of New Orleans, La. Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries and others, the lagoons and fish habitat were restored. In 2008, the rodeo returned and reclaimed its rightful spot as the country’s oldest freshwater fishing tournament with more than 600 registrants vying to win a trophy and bragging rights in five fishing categories. In recent years, the “Fishtival” was added to the rodeo, bringing music, fishing gear and charter boat raffles and educational exhibits for wildlife, ecology, conservation, boating, and a casting contest for children.

The Boats on the Bayou division for kayaks, canoes and other non-motorized vessels on Bayou St. John was added in 2014. Fishing categories include largemouth bass, trout, redfish and other species for trophies and a chance to win a Hobie fishing kayak. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries whose goal is to protect and manage the abundant natural resources in the state has done a wonderful job of maintaining the fish stock in the Park’s lagoons and in Bayou St. John. They also play a big role at the Big Bass Rodeo by providing the scales to weigh the lunker bass, the aerated tubs to hold the stock, and the employees to safely release the fish after the tournament. Their various educational exhibits attract anglers of all ages and are a big draw to the Fishtival. In recent years, LDWF has become a partner in presenting the Big Bass Rodeo. In 2016, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries introduced a new fishing category-Battle for the Bass. This new category offers high school students an opportunity to compete for a large trophy to bring back to their school along with bragging rights for an entire year. LDWF is working with the Berkley High School Fishing Club program to promote fishing in schools and increase the number of fishing clubs throughout the state. Each student from the top three teams will bring home a Battle for the Bass plaque. All high school students are invited to participate in this event. The largest fish ever caught in City Park was a 52-pound buffalo fish hauled in on July 21, 1976 by 12-year-old Tommy Descant of Chalmette. In February 2005, Ross Reboul, a junior at Jesuit High School, landed a giant 44-pound Blue Catfish. This giant catfish measured 42-inches long and 26-inches in circumference. Biologists believe this giant catfish was approximately 21 years old! In 1968, City Park boatman Cecil Doiron caught a bass weighing 8 lbs. 1 oz. which held the Park record until February 12, 2013 (Mardi Gras day) when Kevin Schilling landed a 9-lb. 0 oz. lunker bass to break Cecil’s record. On August 14, 2013, Tim Zissis set the new record catching a 9-lb. 0.05 oz. bass. 2013 was the year for big bass in City Park! The Park lagoons continue to yield big bass. On August 24th, 2015, Mile Laviolette, an avid and experienced Park fisherman, caught a 9 pound 3 ¾ ounce bass that would have set a new record had it been weighed on official scales. Good news is that Mike released it for someone else to catch! A near 10-pounder was caught on Christmas day 2015 by Kurt Wulff which was also released. Either of these fish if caught at the 2016 Big Bass Rodeo will definitely set a new record at City Park.

Mike Laviolette, 8/24/15

Kurt Wulff, 12/25/15

A special thanks to Paul Kalman Jr. for use of his father’s photo.

city park big bass fishing hall of fame 1946 Nick Gianopulos 1947 Joe Frey Denis Rupin Ed Frazier Joe Mohr Joe Marino 1948 L.W. Farrington Albert Kurucar R.W. Dabbs P.D. Banville A.J. Smith Bill Wiem 1949 Mr. Frazier Maurice Laborde Sgt. J.C. Hendrick James Lester Sal Nuccio V.A. Quarterman 1950 W.J. Songy Jr. Anthony Radosta Sam J. Trambino Toby Moore Fred. M. Keese 1951 P. Joseph Rohr Vincent Radosta Victor Bares Henry Miranda Anthony Blasini Leonard Walle 1952 Sal Lofaso 1953 Bill Sullivan George F. Hallner Ted Lala 1954 Pvt. Shelby L. Wilson Lloyd F. Dolese W.H. Sherman A.B. Strattman C.J. Lane Rene Chapotel 1955 Jerry Vadenbarre Albert J. Jewell Louis A. Miranda E.A. Sonier William A. Meyers Thomas A. Jewell Charles P. Crosby Joe Frey Fred M. Keese 1956 Warren Bourgeois R.J. Bishop Sidney Clement Jr. Ed Coshow Joseph Gerosa Herbert Sale Willis Boudreaux A.J. Smith

1957 Doug McIntosh John Picolo Clyde Coombs Morris Fields Elwood Schmitt William Rankin G. W. Persevaux J.E. Bush Robert James 1958 Records Missing 1959 Bill Roberts Allen Smith V.J. Cangiamilla C.J. Ruckert Louis Fornier W. A. Myers Denis Schaft Anthony Bacino Doug McIntosh 1960 Gary Deroche Cliff Kuncar Patrick Fontenot Louis Paretti Joey Buck Stanley Planchard John Seeley Jack Avery Allen Smith 1961 & 1962 Records missing 1963 Albert Carey Dickey Miguez Nash Roberts Michael Sperandeo Roy T. Bostick Alvin Royes Dr. S.M. Emerson E.L. Tregre Barry Weinstein 1964 James McGovern Jr. Bob Clarke Eddie Blanchard O.E. Gwunn M. Stasser Darryl Delerno Robert Hess V.J. Cangiamilla Michael Spreandeo E. L. Tregre 1965 Emile Whitaker Luther Chavers Jr. Emille Perilloux Wayne Hess Donald Rodrigue Eddie Wolch George Sclafani Jr. Casey Kilian Ed Stacy Jr.

1966 Lloyd Gervais Jr. Barry Druffner Lester LeBlanc William Martinel Luther Chavers Jr. Casey Kilian Ed Stacy Jr.

1974 Jimmie Gele Roslind Francis Chvus Cancienne Charles Martino Ruben Francis Dwight Davis Joel Stokes

1967 Stanley Plauche Jeff Kuncar Allen Smith Gary Deroche Cliff Kuncar Patrick Fontenot Louis Paretti Joey Buck John Seeley Jack Avery

1975 Mike Stiegler Richard Greenland Raymond Rea Marcel Garsaud John Seeley Monroe Meyers Marion Hess Ronald Beechler

1983 J. L. Smith Robert Cantin David Carter Steward Beatty Milton Junker Walter Cannon Wayne Hess Joey Robert Dennis Wickboldt

1976 Ted Pavlovich Bill Moody Robert Thibodeaux Joey Robert Marion Hess Joel Stokes Ronald Beechler

1984 Henry Shepard Rich Sauvage Michael Miranda Eddie Fuller A.J. Monroe Monroe Meyers-Joel Stokes Robert Thibodeaux David Fields

1968 Records missing 1969 Will Harper Frank Maggio Norman Brooks Sid Reggio Jr. Monroe Meyers-Raymond Duby Robert Bahl Gary Deroche Joey Buck 1970 Joey Robert Marion Hess F. Killian Jr. Milton Berry S. Blackledge Gene Rodrigue John Seeley Monroe Meyers 1971 Marcel Courtlade Keith Seeley Joseph Grant Bob Archer Roy Duplantis Allen Smith Monroe Meyers Marion Hess 1972 Ronald Gaudin Michael Lizarraga Eugene Zitzman Herbert Champagne Ronald Smith Charles Rutlaff Ruben Manger Joel Stokes Roy Duplantis 1973 Dennis Broughy Mrs. John Seeley Norm Gregware Ronnie Beechler Theodore Buck Ciro Palermo George Ricks John Seeley Marion Hess

1977 Timmy Hill Emile Godfrey Martin Burestein Greg Hartman David Stokes Joe Lovoi Butch Zimmer John Seeley Monroe Meyers 1978 Butch Lusco Randy White Frank Hibs Craig Navarre-James Coquet Danny Lusco Monroe Meyers Joey Robert Marion Hess David Stokes Butch Zimmer 1979 Dennis Wickboldt John Domingues Monroe Meyers Joey Robert Marion Hess Ronald Beechler Robert Thibodeaux 1980 Wayne Gutelius Dennis Sweeney Joey Robert Ruben Francis James Coquet Monroe Meyers 1981 Gordan Watts Lois Gutelios Jennifer Beechler Bill Nelson David Fields Wayne Hess Joes Stokes Ronald Beechler James Coquet

1982 Gary Crowson Mr. Lusco Monroe Meyers Jr. Joel Stokes Ron Thibodeaux David Fields

1985 Joseph Amedo Tom Knower Earl Cassidy Phillip Sweeney Wayne Hess Monroe Meyers Joey Robert Ruben Francis Dennis Wickboldt 1986 Emmani Duchmann Terry Cotoya Robert Galloway Anthony Conzonere A.J. Meyer Wayne Hess 1987 David Biri Gerald Navarre James Mullooy Sid Smith Frank Wickbolt Lloyd Hebert Fred J. Pepperman James Coquet 1988 Thomas Larriviere Lance Templet Charles Gerard Ed Lafoucade Gerald Crain Kenneth McArthur Allen Chautin Joe Matis Jr. Eddie D'Aunoy Sr. Robert Norris Joel Stokes

1989 Harvey Breaux Gerald Johnson Earl Bonie James Caramiat Robin Giarusso Jerry Thomas Helen Bowzigard Mark Meunier Chris Fontana Logan Jackson Andres Mullet Emile Godfrey 1990 Wayne Fontana Donald Hoffman Paul Couget Corey Wagner Robert Bayhi Patrick Sweeney Myles Martin Dennis Couvillion Daryl Tice Bruce Ohlmeyer Jim Hyatt 1991 Mr. Fontana Robert Butler Mr. Arlsen Mr. Meyers Steve Delk Robert Clavin Ray Kahoutek Mike Carviglia Harold Helbeck Rory Rorison Alvin Royes Rickey Kibert 1992 Brian Hoffman Leonard Ray Jeremy Buisson Monroe Meyers III Regan Leopold Andrew Stakelum Chris Faust Jason Bilnoski Michael Welch Robert Labat Jeffrey Cheramie Kelley Williams Rory Rorison 1993 Kenny Gagliano Scott Righey Steve Rigert Gilbert Scales Steve Bourguard Bill Mura James Theriot Sean Bradford Brett Hess Gary Nunemacher Craig Navarre Mack Hasenkampf Jered Norton Michael Cassio Monroe Meyers III

1994 Spinning 1st-Larry Madere 2nd-Jason Menesses 3rd-Raymond Brim Fly 1st-Keith Brock 2nd-Lisa Johnson 3rd-Robin Giarruso Casting 1st-Scott Fitzpatrick 2nd-Gil Cambre 3rd-Patrick Johnson Paul Kalman Award Evan Smith Bream Busters 1st-Max Zimmer, IV 2nd-Clyde Maddox 3rd-Mike Hasenkampf 1995 Mr. Martin Mr. Riley Allen McKevitt Mr. Lavarine Adam Guilmino Sparky Long Gil Cambre Keith Osborne Gordon Watts Brett Hess Bruce Norcise Kevin Cox Steve Ersek Stevie Lynn Glen Tamborella 1996 Mr. Hasenkamps Mr. Rauch David Bin Allen McKevitt Roger Poirier Claude Guinot Mr. Callen Scott Brown Ron Abadie Corey Assavedso Rodney Baehr Ed Braud Stevie L. Bavarre 1997 Adam Guilmino T. J. (Anthony) Mallette Henry Poirier Lee McLean Stefan Schmidt Evan Schmidt J. Ray Mad Mexicans Joey DiCarlo Corey Davis Lou Barousse Aaron Toups Big Yellow

1998 G. Mike Johnson Peter Hopkins Jr. Adam Gulmino Oliver Pichon Anthony Robino Jesse Davis Mark Falgoust Paul Monistere Mike Dvorak Joseph Hunter Michael Trombino Chris Felder Rodney Baehr 1999 David Biri Big Yellow Patrick Johnson Steve Sanderson Henry Poirier Jr. Robert Cantin Al Kuchler III Robin Giarrusso Joseph Boe Walter Daigle Charles Pfister V Cub Scout Pak Robert Clavin 2000 Mr. Rauch Lou Barousse Keith Lusher David Monistere Johnny Heintz Harold J. Hellbach Patrick Nunez John Weber Mark Misuraca Zachary Phillips Thomas A Rouzan Jr. Matt Pipin 2001 Johnny Cefalu Sr. Tony Tonguis John Seely Bryan Wood Scott Rauch Rene' Dandry Stephen Salassi Wade Bernard John Reyes Clarence Johnson Jr. Daniel Nevarez Eddie Ordemann Robert Clavin 2002 Anthony Mike Wally Burkhardt Randy Chatelain Lou Barousse Jacob Wolfe Dustin Fife Riess Tucker Michael & Melani Bordelon Karl Netzhammer Joshau Gilmore John, Ryan, Aus Reyes Aislin & Sean St. Salassi Scott Rauch Kevin & Shane Jones

2008 Ages 9-12 1st-Blake Chiquet 2nd-Ory Stemley 3rd-Bradley Marshall Rio Grande 1st-Team Camo (961 fish) 2nd-Cichlid Assassins 3rd-Team PIP Bream 1st-Matthew Martin (8oz) 2nd-David Beach III (3oz) 3rd-Holden Jeffreys (3 oz) Bass-Cast 1st-Jerrold Pedesclaux 3lb 4oz) 2nd-Alvin Davis 2lb 5oz) 3rd-Mitch Rogers (2 lb 2 oz) Bass-Fly 1st-Ralph Litolff (3lb 4oz) 2nd-Brett Undemstock (1lb 2oz) 3rd-None Bass-Spin 1st-Cary Smith (2lb 13oz) 2nd-Paul Phelan (2lb 10oz) 3rd-Lou Barousse 2 lb 0 oz Paul Kalman Award Paul Phelan

2003 Spinning Michael Simon Jr. Derek Smith Thomas Bronk Casting Clara Goodwin Dustin Neff Rickie Viada Fly Keith Brock Leo Moore III Keith Lusher Paul Kalman Award Joseph Trosclair 2004 Spinning Charles Dufrene Brandon, Kephart Maximo Vasquez Jr. Casting Walter Daigle George Girard Darryl F. Delerno Jr. Fly Renee Gaitan Leo Moore Keith Lusher Jr. Paul Kalman Award Brandon Kephart 2005 Casting 1st-Jacques Grenier 2nd-Brett Estinopal 3rd-David Haydel Fly 1st-Leo Moore 2nd-Ralph Litoff 3rd-Robert Calvin Spinning 1st-Charlie Conforto 2nd-Richard Martin 3rd-Henry Poirier Bream Busters 1st-Team Camo 2nd-Team Voodoo 3rd-Nyles Hughes Casting Kids 7-10 years Johnny Heintz 11-13 years Chad Babin Champions Challenge Joel Stoke GarFish Mark Terrio Paul Kalman Award Richard Martin 2006 & 2007 Rodeo cancelled due to Katrina aftermath 2008 Casting Contest Ages 6-8 1st-Spencer Mullen 2nd-Cole Dimaggio 3rd-Eli Larriviere

2009 Casting Contest Ages 6-8 1st-Jay Rowell 2nd-Spencer Mullern 3rd-Nyron Pete Ages 9-12 1st-Taylor Brown 2nd-Adrianna Bailey 3rd-Sebastian Carpenter Ages 13-17 1st-D.J. Rebstock 2nd-Stephen Kent 3rd-Dwight Clark Catfish Kids 1st-Zion Wilcox 2nd-Corey Hirstius 3rd-Jacob Authement Team Rio Grande 1st-Team Camo 2nd-Team Henderson 3rd-Team Say Lavie Junior Anglers 1st-Peyton McQueen 2nd-Patrick Rowell 3rd-Emily Munch Champions Challenge Larry Madere Bass-Fly fishing 1st-Rene Gaitan 2nd-Phillip Stepka 3rd-none Bass-Baitcasting 1st-Billie Frazier 2nd-John Lupo 3rd-Brett Umbendenstock Bass-Spinning 1st-Gabriel Davis 2nd-Kathie Keller 3rd-Lloyd Carter Paul Kalman Award Hunter Galmiche

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2010 Casting Contest 1st-Robert Henderson 2nd-Gregory Plaia 3rd-Aaron Wilmoth Junior Anglers 1st-Adrianna Bailey Catfish Kids 1st-Kristen Melton 2nd-Dominic Pellegrin Bass- Fly 1st-Ramon Gaitan 2nd-Drew Mullen 3rd-Sean Gilthrope Bass - Spin, Baitcast 1st-David White 2nd-Darryl Delerno 3rd-George Girard Champions Challenge Larry Madere Paul Kalman Award Donald Meyer III 2011 Casting Contest Ages 6-10 1st-Ava Schexnayder 2nd-Dillion Muro 3rd-William Harper Ages 11-15 1st-Drew Mullen 2nd-Kenneth Haad 3rd-Spencer Mullen Junior Anglers 1st-Kristen Melton 2nd-Jack Henderson 3rd-Hunter Bouchie Team Rio Grande 1st-Team Camo 2nd-Team Obrien 3rd-Team Johnson Bass-Fly 1st-Drew Mullen 2nd-Daymond Bush Bass - Spin, Baitcast 1st-Corey Alonzo 2nd-George Girard 3rd-Kenneth Madere Champions Challenge Leo Moore Joe Courcelle Award Corey Alonzo Paul Kalman Award Nicolas Tamberella

2012 Casting Contest Ages 8-12 1st -Jeff Frazier 2nd-Vance DeAgano 3rd-William Hudlow Ages 13 and up 1st-Aavon Wilmoth 2nd-Drew Mullen Junior Anglers 1st-Matthew West 2nd-Trey Schaub 3rd-Madison Bailey Rio Grande 1st-Team Camo 2nd-Hackarakis 3rd-Stop,Drop & Reel Bass by Fly fishing 1st-Eric Stacy Bass - Spin, Baitcast 1st-Damion Frey 2nd-Tony Tonguis 3rd-Orion Hollis Champions Challenge Cary Smith Joe Courcelle Award Damion Frey Paul Kalman Award Brent Rodriguez 2013 Casting Contest Ages 6-10 1st-Dillon Droulet 2nd-Josh Nguyen 3rd-Dillon Melton Ages 11-15 1st-Khalil Mohamed 2nd-Aaron Wilmoth 3rd-Logan Babin Junior Anglers 1st-Mikayla Lacoste 2nd-Hannah Schwegmann 3rd-John Shcwegmann Rio Grande 1st-Team Camo Bass-Fly 1st-Shawn Henderson 2nd-Josh Roth 3rd-John Engert Bass-Spinning 1st-Gary Martin 2nd-Joe Richard 3rd-Mike Laviolette Champions Challenge Ron Abadie Joe Courcelle Award Gary Martin Paul Kalman Award Evan Sauvage

2015 Joe Courcelle Award Joseph Roy

2015

2014 Master Casters Daniel Cangemi Jackson Audibert Lillian Scallan Rory Craft BOATS ON THE BAYOU Trashbash Joseph Grande Bass Ian Wiggins Trout Steve Neece Catch-a-Gar Team Muchos Junior Anglers 1st-John Schwegmann 2nd-Hunter Thomasie 3rd-Hunter Eason Fly Fishing-Bass Gale Rhodes Champions Challenge Joel Stokes Bass-Adult 1st-Robert Myers 2nd-Phil Kent 3rd-Mike Laviolette Bass-Youth 1st-Joseph Finger 2nd-Christopher Menard 3rd-Jace Oulliber 2015 WISH TO FISH - MASTER CLASSICS 1. Chris Cangemi 2. Skylar Billot 3. Anna Fioellala 4. Gavin Hinchman 5. Dillon McTopy 6. Nathan Buras 7. Steven Buldin BOATS ON THE BAYOU Bass 1st Devon Beltz 2.95lbs 2nd Chris Hood 1.70lbs 3rd Luke Beslin 1.39 lbs Trashbash 1st Maurice Valerio – Blue Gill .30lb 2nd Tyler Gabriel – Blue Gill .15lb 3rd Eric Muhoberac – Pogie .12lb BIG BASS RODEO Junior Angler 1ST Hannah Schwegmann – Blue Gill .34lb 2nd Brooklyn Schneider – Blue Gill .25lb 3rd Jackson Audibert – Blue Gill .25lb Cichlid & Bream Trim - Team Event 1st Team Camo – 5.67lbs 2nd Golden Crickets – 3.88lbs 3rd Stop, Drop, and Reel 3.70lbs Fly Fishing 1st Bass – John Latta 2.70lbs Champions Challenge 1st Damion Frey 2.60lb Bass - Adult 1st Joseph Roy, III 5.34lbs (Joe Courcelle Award) 2nd George Girard Jr. 3.29 lb 3rd Jessica Vallejos, 3.03 lbs Bass - Youth 1st Nicholas Heintz 1.38lbs (Paul Kalman Award) 2nd Craig Miller 1.23lbs 3rd Jace Oulliber 1.08lbs

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shoreline cleanup What can seven members of the Rummel fishing club, one dad, and two members of New Orleans Fly Fishers get done on a Saturday morning? A lot! Clad in wader boots and armed with shovels and rakes, this group of energetic guys cleaned a shoreline and waterway along one section of New Orleans City Park's lagoons. It may come as a surprise to some, but City Park's lagoons and bayous offer some of the best bass fishing in the state. By removing obstructions, such as fallen trees, palm branches, and floating grass mats, this cleanup team has helped improve water flow and water quality of the vestige of Bayou Noir. Bayou Noir is a scenic bayou paralleling Wisner Boulevard, just south of Harrison Avenue. It was first sited in an early French priest’s journal traveling Bayou St John to New Orleans. Today, Bayou Noir boasts several open areas great for fly fishing. The Big Bass Rodeo is the nation’s oldest and largest freshwater fishing rodeo and this year will be held on April 2nd. John Kinabrew, a long time Big Bass Rodeo committee member, is excited about this year's rodeo preparations. "Isn't it amazing what ten caring people can get done in 4 hours work", says Kinabrew. "A Saturday very well spent" and Kinabrew is sure that the improved waterways will yield some record breaking bass at this year's rodeo.

Anglers 16 and older must possess a valid fishing license.

NO FISHING ON GOLF COURSE

Boats on the Bayou Filmore Weigh Station

Filmore Avenue

NO FISHING ON FUTURE GOLF COURSE

Fishing

NO FISHING ON FUTURE NO FISHING ON FUTURE GOLF COURSE GOLF COURSE

No Fishing Parking Restroom

Harrison Avenue

Fishing Pier Trails

CLOSED! Boats on the Bayou fishing closed south of Harrison Ave.

Road Improved Shoreline

City Park History (Relative to LDWF)

• LDWF is responsible for fisheries management in New Orleans City Park lagoons. The goal of urban fisheries management is to provide and enhance recreational fishing opportunities. • Since 1999, LDWF has stocked the lagoons with many species of fish including largemouth bass, yellow bass, sunfishes, channel catfish, and blue catfish. • The invasive Rio Grande cichlid* was first spotted in 1996 and has become more common in City Park’s lagoons. • Most aquatic vegetation problems are controlled by salt water entering City Park Lagoons from Bayou St. John.

NO FISHING IN SCULPTURE GARDEN

DeSaix Blvd.

BIG BASS RODEO • Registration • Fishtival • Awards

• There are 11 miles of lagoons and 22 miles of shoreline throughout the 1,300 acre park. • Average depth of the lagoon system is 3 feet. *Species must be killed immediately upon capture.

Map courtesy of Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries

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