Upcoming Events
This week is packed with exciting events for outdoor enthusiasts.
Tuesday
- LA. Crab Task Force Meeting: 10 a.m., Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Dr., Houma.
- Morganza-to-Gulf Public Meeting: 2-4 p.m. & 6-8 p.m., Bollinger Sisters Suite, University Dining & Conference Center, Nicholls State, Thibodaux. Public comments on Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction Project.
- Lafayette Kayak Fishing Club Meeting: 6 p.m., Pack and Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Also Feb. 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, Aug. 18, Sept. 15, Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15. Call (337) 232-5854. Website: www.lafayettekayakfishing.com.
Wednesday
- Lake Providence Council Info Meeting: 11 a.m., LP Country Club, 190 La. 134, Lake Providence. Nature-based solutions to flooding, water quality & aquatic habitat loss. Call Ryan Daniel (318) 343-4044/email: rdaniel@wlf.la.gov
- Flies & Flights: 7-9 p.m, Rally Cap Brewing, 11212 Pennywood Ave., Baton Rouge. Casual fly tying. Open to public. Also: Feb. 18, March 18, April 15, May 20, June 17, July 15, Aug. 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18, Dec. 16.Email Chris Williams: thefatfingeredflytyer@gmail.com
- Gulf Council SSC Virtual Meeting: Analysis of lane snapper and gag & red groupers. Website: gulfcouncil.org
Thursday
- Acadiana Bugs & Brews: 6 p.m., Pack and Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Casual fly tying and local beers provided. Open to the public. Also Feb. 26, March 26, April 23, May 28, June 25, July 23, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 22. Email Darin Lee: cbrsandcdc@gmail.com. Website: www.packpaddle.com
Saturday
- Cenla Fly Fishing Festival: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Kees Park Civic Center, La. 28 East, Pineville. Free. Seminars, fly tying demos, casting clinics, exhibitors. Benefits Greater Food Bank of Central Louisiana. Kisatchie Fly Fishers event.
- Sack Up For Clean Water: 9 a.m.-noon, Monte Sano Park, 2727 Greenwell St., Baton Rouge. Red Stick Fly Fishers event. Website: rsff.org
Hunting Seasons
- Deer/Modern Firearms: Through Jan. 18, State Deer Areas 1 & 4, still-hunt only, either-sex take allowed; State Deer Area 6, with/without dogs, either-sex take allowed; State Deer Areas 5 & 9, with/without dogs, bucks only.
- Deer/Primitive Firearms: Through Jan. 18, State Deer Area 2.
- Deer/Primitive Firearms: Jan. 19-31, State Deer Areas 1, 4 & 6, either-sex take allowed; State Deer Areas 5 & 9, bucks only.
Waterfowl Seasons
- Ducks/West Zone: Through Jan. 25, includes coots & mergansers; Jan. 31-Feb. 1, veterans-only special weekend.
- Ducks/East Zone: Through Jan. 31, includes coots & mergansers.
- Deer/Archery: Through Jan. 31, State Deer Areas 1, 2 & 4. Either-sex take allowed.
- Woodcock: Through Jan. 31, statewide.
- Geese/West Zone: Through Feb. 1. Includes Canada, blue, snow & Ross’ & specklebellies. Take of Canada geese prohibited in portions of Cameron & Vermilion parishes.
- Geese/East Zone: Through Feb. 7. Includes Canada, blue, snow & Ross’ & specklebellies
- Deer/Archery: Through Feb. 15, State Deer Areas 5, 6 & 9, either-sex take allowed.
- Quail, Rabbits & Squirrels: Through Feb. 28, statewide, private lands only.
- Snipe: Through Feb. 28, statewide.
Lottery Hunt
- Youth Rabbit Hunt: Jan. 30 application deadline for five youth hunters (ages 10-17) on Dewey Wills WMA Feb. 21. Youths must have hunter safety certification, have 20-gauge or.410 shotgun & wear Hunter Orange. Other rules & details, email Cliff Dailey (WMA supervisor): adailey@wlf.la.gov
Around the Corner
- Jan. 25—South Louisiana Highpower Club Match: 8:30 a.m., Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Range, St. Landry Road, Gonzales. NRA XTC & F-Class match rifle or service rifle, 200-yard/50-rounds match course. Fee $15 members, $20 nonmembers, $5 juniors. $25 annual club (first match free) & Civilian Marksmanship Program membership (allows purchases from CMP). Also Feb. 22, March 29 (CMP XTC; sniper match), April 26, May 24, June 28, July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 27 (reduced course state championship), Oct. 25 (club & F-Class championships) & Nov. 29 (Garand/Springfield state championship & Iron Man). Call Mike Burke (337) 380-8120. Email: SouthLAHighPower@hotmail.com
- Jan. 26—Red Stick Fly Fishers Fly Tying Session: 7 p.m., Bluebonnet Regional Library, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge. Open to the public. Materials and tools available for beginners. Also Feb. 23, March 23, April 27, May 26, June 22, July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 23. Website: www.rsff.org
- Jan. 26-28—Gulf Council Meeting: Hyatt Centric French Quarter, New Orleans. Final action on increasing red grouper catch limits & splitting the shallow-water grouper complex into two groups. Also discuss mandatory recreational reporting program for deep-water grouper & consider regional management of greater amberjack. Public comment 9:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Jan. 28. Webinar available. Website: gulfcouncil.org
Fishing/Shrimping
- Shrimp: Outside waters open statewide; fall inshore season closed in Zones 2 & 3 & portions of Zone 1.
- Open Recreational Seasons: Flounder; lane, blackfin, queen and silk snappers & wenchmen among other snapper species; all groupers except closed for goliath & Nassau groupers in state/federal waters.
- Closed Seasons: Red snapper; greater amberjack; gray triggerfish; bluefin tuna; gag, goliath & Nassau groupers in state/federal waters. Commercial greater amberjack season closed.
LDWF Updates
- Closed: all roads on Bogue Chitto WMA (flooding); Hope Canal Road/boat launch (Maurepas Swamp WMA, levee construction).
- Road Closure: Section of La. 975 through Sherburne WMA closed through June 12, 2026 (replace bridge) access from U.S. 190 and I-10 open.
- Drawdowns: Underway on Henderson Lake, Lake Bistineau, Saline, Kepler, Iatt, Black & Clear lakes, Clear-Smithport Lake & Lake Martin.
Conclusion
This week’s events offer something for everyone, whether you’re interested in fishing, hunting, or just enjoying the great outdoors. Be sure to check the schedules and plan your activities accordingly. Remember to follow all safety guidelines and regulations to ensure a fun and safe experience for all. Contact the relevant authorities for more information on each event, and don’t forget to visit the websites listed for additional details and updates.
