The Fourteenth annual Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) and Sabine Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Fish Fest will be held June 3, 2023, at the Sabine River Authority’s Cypress Bend Park.
The registration deadline is April 29, 2023. If you would like to participate and need a registration form call the office at 318-256-3491. Registration forms can be mailed to or dropped off at our office Sabine SWCD 570 HWY 171 Bypass, Many, LA 71449.
We hope to have approximately 130 youth fishermen pre-registered and fishing the banks on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Pre-registered fishermen need to check in at the registration table for meal tickets, ditty bags and t-shirts. Fishing time begins at 7:30 a.m., Weigh-in time will be at 11:00 a.m. The event is open to school age children registered in kindergarten through 12th grade for the school year 2022-2023 attending schools in Louisiana and Texas. There will be six specie categories for first, second, and third place. Specie categories are bass, bream, catfish, white perch, turtle, and other. All 130 fishermen must be pre-registered by the April 29th deadline to participate.
The TBLA and SWCD will provide t-shirts for all pre-registered fishermen and adult Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Earth Team Volunteers. Youth fishermen will be required to wear the t-shirt at all times. Sponsors donate door prizes to be won by the youth fishermen. We will have two GRAND PRIZES this year donated by, Mr. Jonathan Porter and wife Holly Porter, owners of Porter Guide Service, Zwolle, Louisiana. First will be a 4-hour guided crappie tour for three, and second a Sunset tour for four. Every registered fisherman still present will be eligible to win one of these prizes.
There are no entry fees for fisherman to enter Cypress Bend Park courtesy of the Sabine River Authority. Youth must fish the shores of the Park. Fishing from boats is not allowed. Fishermen must provide their own fishing equipment and bait. Youth will follow an honesty policy for their catch. Fishermen will weigh their largest fish in any specie category for weight, not length. Black Bass will be the only fish measured for length to meet state regulation of 14 inches or longer. Black Bass shorter than 14” can’t be weighed. Any length is good for Spotted Bass. Fishermen must be present for the entire day. This includes fishing, weigh-in, and prizes. The fishermen must weigh in their own fish, not family or friends.
The 130 youth fishermen will take home a ditty bag courtesy of Hale Lure LLC/Stanley Jigs, Mr. John Hale; Huntington, TX; Sabine River Authority, Mr. Warren Founds, Executive Director, Many, LA; and the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, Many, LA.
Family members should bring a lawn chair to relax on during the tournament. There are a limited number of picnic tables available under the pavilion at Cypress Bend Park. A free hot dog lunch and cold drinks will be provided to all fishermen thanks to our sponsors.
The TBLA and the Sabine SWCD look forward to contacting our faithful supporters: Turquoise and Treasures, Mrs. Deborah West, Owner, Zwolle, LA; Mr. Jonathan Porter and wife Holly Porter, owners of Porter Guide Service, Zwolle LA; Bridge Bay Resort, Many, LA; Unique Nail Salon, Mrs. Cheryl Palmer, Zwolle, LA; Lee Lee’s Neu Designs, Mrs. Natalie Neugent, Mrs. Lee Sepulvado, & Mrs. Candice Wilson, Owners; Zwolle, LA; Sabine River Authority, Mr. Warren Founds, Executive Director, Many, LA; The Fisherman’s Galley Restaurant, Mrs. Pam Tedder, Owner; Toledo Town, Many, LA; V&M Baits, Natchitoches, LA; Keith’s Toledo Bend Tackle, Hemphill, TX.; Ronny Brandon Attorney, Many, LA; Huey & Lela Malmay, Zwolle, LA; Bub T Tamale House, Zwolle, LA; Bandidos Motorcycle Club, Florien LA; and Sublimations by Whitney, Florien, LA.
The first 130 will be determined by the postmark on the envelope or the date dropped off at the office. The registration deadline is April 29, 2023. Include the fisherman’s name, grade, T-shirt size and a daytime telephone. You will be contacted by telephone in the first week of May to let you know if you have met the registration deadline.
The USDA and Sabine SWCD are an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.