Louisiana 
                    Lunker Bass Program Receives First Fish of 2006
                    Posted: 
                    2/8/06
                  The Louisiana 
                    Lunker Bass Program (LLBP) got off to a great start for 2006 
                    as the first largemouth bass was turned in to the program 
                    this past weekend.
                  The Louisiana 
                    Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has confirmed 
                    that a 14.43-pound largemouth bass was caught late Saturday 
                    evening on Feb. 4 on a shiner-baited trotline set by Forest 
                    Hill natives Earnest Johnson and Johnny Ray on Indian Creek 
                    Reservoir. This lake is located just south of Alexandria in 
                    the Woodworth/Forest Hill area and is adjacent to the Booker 
                    Fowler Fish Hatchery (BFFH). 
                  "This 
                    fish is very significant because it was a new lake record 
                    and second place isn't even close," said LDWF Inland 
                    Fisheries Hatchery Program manager Robert Gough. "LDWF 
                    is pleased that the anglers decided to turn the fish into 
                    the LLBP to help promote and enhance the largemouth bass population 
                    in Louisiana."
                  Through 
                    the LLBP, which began in 1997, anglers can donate any legally 
                    caught largemouth bass over 12 pounds on Louisiana waters 
                    between Jan. 1 and April 30 to LDWF for spawning, exhibiting 
                    and research purposes.
                  For participating 
                    in the program, the anglers will receive a replica of their 
                    fish and a certificate of appreciation from LLBP. The donated 
                    bass was transported to the BFFH for recuperation and later 
                    spawning. The lunker is in excellent shape, according to Gough.
                  Anyone 
                    who catches a largemouth bass that may qualify should go to 
                    or call their nearest LDWF contact point or the Operation 
                    Game Thief hotline at 1-800-442-2511. For more information 
                    please visit LDWF's Web site at www.wlf.louisiana.gov and 
                    then click on the "Inland Fisheries" under the "Programs" 
                    heading. Then click on the "Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery" 
                    link on the left and finally clicking on the "Lunker 
                    Bass Program" link.
                   
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