LDWF- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is celebrating more than 100 years of investment in stocking and sustaining the state’s public waters. The agency noted that Louisiana’s fish-stocking efforts began in 1924 with the purchase of the Beechwood Fish Hatchery in Forest Hill for just $2,000. Remarkably, many of the original ponds at Beechwood remain in operation today, supporting the production of species such as bluegill, redear sunfish, white and black crappie, channel catfish, and Florida largemouth bass.

LDWF’s Inland Fisheries Hatchery Team—comprised of only 14 employees—now operates four hatcheries across Louisiana. Together, these facilities produce approximately six million fish annually for about 80 public waterbodies statewide. The department announced that its 2026 stocking season has officially concluded and encouraged residents to take advantage of the enhanced fishing opportunities.

For additional information about fish stocking, the public may contact Hatchery Biologist Manager Talon Jeppson at (318) 484-6914 or tjeppson@wlf.la.gov.

Details about LDWF’s freshwater hatcheries can be found online at buff.ly/8IOZ9tU.