What the Fishing for Memories Rodeo is and who runs it
The Fishing for Memories Rodeo is an annual fishing tournament held in Louisiana that brings together families, experienced anglers, and people new to fishing in a single day of competition and community. The event is organized by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) in partnership with local fishing clubs and conservation groups, with the goal of introducing younger anglers to competitive fishing while celebrating the traditions that connect generations through the sport.
The rodeo typically takes place in spring or early summer at a location announced each year by LDWF. The event welcomes participants of all skill levels — from children fishing their first tournament to lifelong anglers — and emphasizes fun and learning over pure competition. Most divisions are organized by age group, so you fish against people at your own stage, and the prizes and recognition reflect that structure.
Entry fees are modest, usually under $25 per angler, and the day typically runs from early morning through early afternoon. You bring your own boat or join a group that has one, and you fish the designated waters using the species and methods outlined in that year's rules. The catch is weighed at the end, and winners are announced at an awards ceremony that same day.
Key Takeaways
- The Fishing for Memories Rodeo is organized by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and welcomes anglers of all ages and experience levels in a single-day tournament format.
- Divisions are organized by age group so you compete fairly with people at your own stage, and entry fees are typically under $25 per person.
- You can fish from your own boat, a friend's boat, or by joining a group through the event organizers if you don't have access to one.
- The rodeo emphasizes teaching younger anglers and building community connections over pure competition, with awards for multiple age divisions.
- Rules about which species you can keep, minimum sizes, and catch limits are set each year and published by LDWF before the event date.
How to find the event date and location each year
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announces the Fishing for Memories Rodeo details on its official website, typically several weeks before the event. You can visit the LDWF website directly and search for "Fishing for Memories Rodeo" to find the current year's date, location, and entry information. The announcement includes the specific body of water where fishing will take place, the hours of operation, and any changes to the format from previous years.
Local fishing clubs and tackle shops in Louisiana also post the rodeo information once it is released, so if you are connected to a fishing community in your area, word spreads quickly through those networks. If you have fished in a Louisiana tournament before, you may receive notice by email or phone from organizers or clubs you have worked with in the past.
What to bring and how to prepare your boat
If you are bringing your own boat, make sure it is in safe working order before the event: check that the engine starts reliably, that your navigation lights work, and that your safety equipment is on board and current. You will need a valid Louisiana fishing license for yourself and any adult fishing with you; children under 16 do not need a license to fish in Louisiana, but they do need to follow all other tournament rules. Bring your license with you to the weigh-in so you can show it if asked.
Pack a cooler with ice to keep your catch fresh throughout the day, and bring water and snacks for yourself — the tournament runs several hours and you will be in the sun. Wear a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while on the water; this is both a legal requirement and a safety essential. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and polarized sunglasses if you have them, as they help you see fish in the water and protect your eyes during a long day on the water.
Rods, reels, tackle, and bait are your choice — the rodeo rules will specify which species you can keep and any size or gear restrictions, so review those before you fish. Most years the event targets species like bass, catfish, or bream depending on the water and season, and the rules will be clear about what counts toward your weight.
Entry, registration, and what happens at weigh-in
Entry to the Fishing for Memories Rodeo is handled through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries or through the local fishing club or organization running that year's event. You typically register a day or two before the tournament, either online or in person at a designated location. When you register, you will provide your name, age group (or your child's age group if you are entering a young angler), and boat information if you are bringing your own vessel.
On the morning of the event, you will receive a briefing on the rules, the fishing area boundaries, and the time you must return to the weigh-in station. The tournament usually has a set start time — often sunrise or shortly after — and a hard stop time in the early afternoon. You fish during that window and then return to the designated weigh-in location.
At weigh-in, your catch is weighed on a certified scale in front of witnesses, and the weight is recorded against your name and division. Fish are typically released back into the water after weighing unless the rules specify otherwise. Awards are usually announced the same day, often with a brief ceremony and refreshments. Prizes may include tackle, gift cards to local shops, or trophies, and most events give out awards in multiple categories so that different age groups and skill levels all have a chance to be recognized.
Fishing techniques and species you are likely to target
The species you fish for depends on the water and season chosen for that year's rodeo. Louisiana's warm waters support largemouth bass, catfish, bream (bluegill and other sunfish), and sometimes crappie or other species. If you are new to fishing, ask the event organizers which species are the focus and what techniques work best in that particular water. Local tackle shops near the tournament location can also give you real advice about what is biting and how to fish for it.
For bass, casting near structure — fallen trees, docks, grass beds — and working your lure slowly through those areas is a reliable approach. For catfish, still-fishing with cut bait or chicken liver on the bottom often works well. For bream, small jigs or live crickets under a bobber in shallow water are effective. The key is to fish the techniques you are comfortable with; the rodeo is not about using fancy equipment but about spending time on the water and learning from other anglers.
Talk to other participants before and after the tournament. Experienced anglers are usually willing to share what worked for them that day, and that conversation is part of what makes the rodeo a community event rather than just a competition.
Bringing children and teaching young anglers
The Fishing for Memories Rodeo is designed with young anglers in mind, and children do not need a fishing license in Louisiana to participate. If your child is fishing, make sure they wear a life jacket at all times on the water and that they understand the basic safety rules: stay seated in the boat, keep hands and arms inside, and tell an adult before moving around. A child who is new to fishing should practice casting and handling a rod before the tournament day if possible, even just in the yard or at a local pond.
Pair a young angler with an experienced adult — a parent, grandparent, or mentor — who can help them cast, set the hook when a fish bites, and reel in their catch. The rodeo is as much about the experience of fishing together as it is about winning, and many families return year after year because of the memories they build on the water. If your child catches a fish during the tournament, that is a moment worth celebrating regardless of whether it wins a prize.
Rules, regulations, and what disqualifies a catch
Each year's Fishing for Memories Rodeo publishes specific rules about which fish count toward your total weight, minimum size requirements, and any restrictions on the number of fish you can keep. These rules are set by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and are designed to protect fish populations while keeping the tournament fair. Read the rules carefully before you fish, because a fish that does not meet the size requirement or is a species that does not count will not be weighed.
Common disqualifications include fish below the minimum size, fish of species not listed in that year's rules, and fish that show signs of being caught before the tournament started (though this is rare and usually only an issue if a fish is obviously damaged). If you are unsure whether a fish counts, ask the weigh-in officials before you leave the water — they can tell you on the spot and save you the trip back to the scales with a fish that will not score.
All Louisiana fishing regulations — including bag limits and season closures — apply during the rodeo, so make sure you understand the current state rules for the species you are targeting. The LDWF website has a current fishing guide that lists these rules by species and water body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need my own boat to fish in the Fishing for Memories Rodeo?
No. If you do not have a boat, contact the event organizers or the local fishing club running the rodeo — they often help match anglers without boats to people who have space available. You can also fish from shore in some locations, depending on that year's rules. Ask when you register.
What if my child has never fished before?
The rodeo welcomes beginners. Bring your child, pair them with an adult who can help, and let them learn by doing. Many experienced anglers at the event are happy to offer tips, and the organizers often have a beginner's briefing or mentorship program. The goal is to build a love of fishing, not to win.
Can I fish alone, or do I have to be part of a team?
Most years you can fish as an individual angler, and your catch is weighed under your name in your age division. Some events offer team divisions as well, but individual entry is the standard format. Check that year's rules to confirm.
What happens if the weather is bad on tournament day?
The rodeo may be postponed or rescheduled if conditions are unsafe — lightning, extreme wind, or flooding. The organizers will announce any changes through the LDWF website and by phone to registered participants. Do not show up if you have not heard confirmation that the event is running.
How much does it cost to enter?
Entry fees are typically under $25 per angler, though the exact amount varies by year and location. Children often have a reduced fee or fish free. The fee covers the use of the weigh-in facilities, the awards, and the event organization. Ask when you register if there are any discounts for families or groups.