MORE

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has developed guidelines for fishing tournaments at Bussey Brake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to help preserve this unique fishery for as many user-groups as possible and to optimize the potential for the public to catch state-record bass and crappie.

Bussey Brake is a 2,200-acre reservoir located in Northeast Louisiana, and is the only LDWF Wildlife Management Area with recreational freshwater fishing as the top priority. Since re-opening in 2020, Bussey Brake has produced numerous Louisiana top-10 bass and crappie, and anglers continue to experience unprecedented success in catching personal best and trophy-sized fish.

An LDWF-issued Special-Use Permit is required for tournament fishing on WMAs. See details below.

To be eligible for a permit, tournament organizers must

• • apply online no less than sixty (60) days in advance of requested date
  • limit participation to 15 boats
  • use an immediate live-release format
  • provide written live-release tournament rules to LDWF
  • agree to follow all WMA rules and regulations

Special-Use Tournament permits will be

• • Limited to two (2) per month

• • Issued to qualifying applicants on a first come, first served basis

Tournament organizers can find more detailed information and access the tournament permit application portal at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/bussey-brake. They may also contact Inland Fisheries Biologist Manager Ryan Daniel, rdaniel@wlf.la.gov, (318)343-4044 Ext 3.