Louisiana launches red drum restocking with 50,000 fish release

More than 50,000 hatchery-raised red drum were released into Calcasieu Lake at the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge on September 11. This event marks the flagship release of Louisiana’s first redfish restocking program, organized by the Coastal Conservation Association Louisiana.

The brood stock originated from the Grand Isle Ride the Bull Fishing Tournament and was processed at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Thad Cochran Marine Aquaculture Center. The fish will be genetically marked to assist the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in future stock assessments.

Local officials and partners, including Cameron LNG and Sempra Infrastructure, participated in the release, which aims to protect waterways and replenish fish populations for future generations of anglers.