Get ready to fish! The Girard Park Pond in Lafayette is stocked with tagged, adult channel catfish for the Get Out and Fish! Derby scheduled during Thanksgiving week. All levels and ages are eligible to participate but must follow guidelines to receive a prize. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has stocked 16 ponds across the state, including nearby Southside Regional Park in Youngsville.

Partnering with Lafayette Consolidated Government’s (LCG) Department of Parks and Recreation, LDWF organizes the Derby to give more people access to quality fishing, recruit new anglers to fishing, and to promote outdoor activities for future generations.

Anglers who catch tagged channel catfish at designated ponds from Saturday, November 21 through Sunday, November 29, can report tag information to receive an LDWF prize. Each tag has a corresponding prize. Fishers can call 855-728-8247 or visit  https://ldwf.wufoo.com/forms/z2ol1mq1cmid6b/ to report their catch.

Tags reported before the event or not reported by the end of the event are not eligible for a prize. LDWF will contact the winning anglers following the Derby. Ages 16 and older must have a Louisiana fishing license. For participating pond locations in the state, event information and rules, visit https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/gof-derby.

LCG’s Department of Recreation’s ongoing partnership with LDWF and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has allowed the Girard Park Pond to be stocked with channel catfish and rainbow trout since 2014. The pond will continue to be stocked with a variety of fish on a regular basis for up to one year.