Anglers ticketed for catching 92 bass

Two Jefferson Parish men were cited after Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents found them in possession of 92 black bass that were caught in Lake Cataouatche.

Elvin J. Rome, 53, of Marrero, and Richard Doucet, 52, of Westwego, were fishing from the Gulf Canal to the Umbrella Canal when they were observed rapidly catching fish by enforcement agents. The agents continued surveillance until the men stopped fishing and followed them to a camp.

When the agents contacted the men, they discovered 92 black bass in their possession. The daily limit for largemouth bass is 10 per person.

“I can’t speak for the state, but in my 11 years in the New Orleans area, this is the biggest bass case I can recall,” Lt. Eddie Skena, with the Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division, said. “Their catch was mixed with large and small bass…they were just keeping everything they caught.”

The fish were seized by agents and later donated to a charity. The penalty for exceeding the limit of black bass is a fine up to $350, or jail time up to 30 days, or both plus court costs. A court order restitution for the value of the illegally taken fish will also be filed with the case.