Red River Waterway Commission Stocks Thousands Of Bass To Restore Fishery

While most of us would love to forget the massive destruction locally when the Red River saw historical flooding in June of 2015, the Red River Waterway Commission has committed it to memory and has dedicated the work and funds in the effort to return to the river's former glory days.

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Prior to the 2015 flood, the Red River was internationally known as one of the finest fisheries in America, and was a regular host of some of America's top bass tournaments, including the Bassmaster Classic.

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However, the flooding changed the dynamics of the Red River by destroying much of the natural fish habitat and making lots of the former fish-holding, backwater areas inaccessible to most anglers.

However, over the past several years, the Red River Waterway Commission has made an impressive effort to restock the once teaming upper reaches of the Red with thousands of black bass.

In a recent Facebook posting, we learn that Inland Fisheries biologists from Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries assisted the Red River Waterway Commission in an effort to stock 58,500 Largemouth Bass (4”– 6”) into pools 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Red River. LDWF writes that the waters of Pool 5 of the Red River are scheduled to be stocked with largemouth bass next week.

Though the cost of these four to six inch fingerlings is somewhat higher than smaller fingerlings, experts.illinois.edu states they have a significantly higher survival rate than one to two inch (or smaller) fingerlings and could improve the fishery quicker.

The Red River Waterway Commission purchased the fish from the American Sportfish Hatchery of Montgomery, Alabama, and in cooperation with LDWF, stocked the fish to enhance sportfish opportunities in the Red River.