The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has stocked 26,200 channel catfish in Anacoco Lake as part of its statewide fall fish stocking program.

LDWF Inland Fisheries biologists began the fall stocking season October 6, 2026, releasing a total of 68,200 channel catfish into public waterbodies across Louisiana between October 6 and October 8.

Anacoco Lake in Vernon Parish received the largest number of channel catfish among the eight locations included in the initial stocking effort.

Other locations stocked during the three-day period included Chatham Lake in Jackson Parish with 5,300 fish, Buhlow Lake in Rapides Parish with 5,800, Lafreniere Park in Jefferson Parish with 3,700, Crooked Creek in Evangeline Parish with 2,200, Grand Bayou Reservoir in Red River Parish with 16,200, Henderson Lake in St. Martin Parish with 8,300, and Moore Park in Lafayette Parish with 500.

According to LDWF, biologists will continue stocking public waterbodies throughout the state over the next three months.

Additional species scheduled for stocking include channel catfish, black and white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, and Florida-strain largemouth bass.

LDWF also encourages residents to support the state’s fisheries through the purchase of Louisiana Largemouth Bass license plates. Revenue generated from the specialty plates supports LDWF and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation in funding largemouth bass production and stocking efforts.

For additional information about fish stocking activities, residents may contact LDWF Fish Hatchery Biologist Manager Talon Jeppson at 318-484-6914 or tjeppson@wlf.la.gov.