Reduce Spillway Bass Size Limit

It has been 15 years since Hurricane Andrew and about 14 years since the enactment of the 14-inch bass size limit in the Atchafalaya Spillway. After 14 years it would appear that the 14- inch bass limit has run its course and all the good has been achieved from this effort. After many notable heroics, are there any tangible data that tell us the bass population has increased or decreased in this vast area? We understand the bass population will never be the same as before Andrew, no matter what the regulations and heroics are.

It is a known fact that the larger bass are more difficult to find and catch because of their feeding activity, along with other factors. Other influencing factors are loss of water depth (habitat) due to siltation (a continuing major problem) and suspended silt loading in the basin waters. With a high silt loading (and I have no idea how much) the fish will go to the bottom and go into a quasi hibernation state with almost no metabolism or movement until the waters return to normal conditions.

Additionally, the intracoastal canal in the Pigeon and Sorrell areas has almost a continuous flow of barge traffic, which keeps the waterways stirred up and muddy. This “chocolate water” will follow the currents and translate into conditions unfit for fishing. I have seen tugboats in Cross Bayou churning out mud from Little Pigeon to Lake Murphy and through Bee Bayou (several miles). This horrible condition makes it difficult to catch our beloved bass. Last year I saw a barge grounded in Little Pigeon and only freed by another tug’s propeller wash. Where do you think the mud went? It is obvious that barge traffic will increase with time and will always be a major threat to water conditions and fish habitat.

I and other average fishermen have been patient with the 14-inch limit and are ready for a change to allow smaller bass to be taken; ask any fisherman at the spillway landings. While bass clubs favor a 14-inch limit, these people are a small percentage of the total fishing population.

I propose that the bass size limit be changed to include some bass starting at 12 inches in length. A limit could include five bass 12 inches or larger and five 14 inches or larger. The creel limit could be reduced for a combination of sizes. A reduced size limit will increase fishing interest in the spillway, be good for the sports fishing economy, increase the excitement of going fishing and increase the number of Sunday afternoon fish fries.

JAMES MCCRARY

retired mechanical engineer

Baton Rouge

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