UPDATE: Family Fishing Fest. at Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge CANCELED Until later date.

The highly anticipated Family Fishing Festival at Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge which was postponed to this Saturday, April 13, 2019 due to high rainfall last week, is now cancelled due to additional severe weather forecasted for this weekend.

In an effort to ensure the safety of the public, volunteers and staff during this weekend’s severe weather, which is forecasted to include dangerous lightening, high winds and rain, the event coordinators have cancelled the Family Fishing Festival at Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge. No other event is scheduled at this time. The public will be notified when another fishing event is planned later this year.

For more information about participating in future fishing events, or becoming an event sponsor or volunteer, please call Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge at 337-598-2216.

ORIGINAL: Bell City, La. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service SW La. Nat. Wildlife Refuge)- The free Family Fishing Festival at Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge scheduled for this Saturday, April 6, 2019, has been cancelled due to the 6.5 inches of rainfall received this morning and the additional rain forecast through Saturday.  Festival grounds and parking areas are saturated and are not suitable for entry, travel, and parking until it has a chance to drain and dry.

The free Family Fishing Festival at Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge has been moved to April 13, 2019, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Cameron Prairie NWR is located 25 miles southeast of Lake Charles and 11 miles south of Holmwood, LA on the west side of Highway 27.

Participants will have an opportunity to fish for bass, bream and/or catfish from three ponds covering 6.5 acres.  The largest pond was drained this past year to facilitate improvements to increase bank fishing accessibility, water management capabilities, and fisheries habitat. Although there are fish in the pond, numbers may be reduced from previous years due to the drawdown.  One thousand pounds of additional catfish were stocked within the ponds earlier this month. State licensing and fishing regulations apply.

There will be a variety of learning activities for children to participate in as well as exhibits to explore.   Drinks and snacks provided by sponsors will be available while supplies last. A limited supply of loaner fishing poles may be checked out on a first come first served basis.  Bait worms and minnows will be provided while supplies last.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own baits, life jackets, lawn chairs, ice filled coolers for fish, sunscreen, bug repellent, and a wagon or cart to transport personal and fishing gear from the parking area to the festival grounds, which is about a quarter mile walking distance.  Rubber boots are encouraged, since it can be wet and muddy near the ponds. Check-in at the entrance to the fishing ponds will begin at 9:00 am. Staff and volunteers will be setting up for the Festival prior to this time.

Participant parking will be available in the Cameron Prairie Visitor Center parking lot, with some parking opportunities along West Cameron Prairie Road after 9:00 if conditions permit. Parking attendants and signs will help guide guests to parking and check-in, please obey all signage and parking instructions.

For more information about participating in this event, or becoming an event sponsor or volunteer, please call Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge at 337-598-2216.