The Inland Fisheries Division of LDWF recognized the limitations of the Department’s old hatchery system, and in the Division’s 1989 “Advanced Planning Document”, estimated a Florida largemouth bass production shortfall of 4 million fingerlings per year. In 1990, the Louisiana Legislature appropriated $1,000,000 for site selection and design of a new hatchery to address this shortfall. The U.S. Congress granted a Department request for $12,375,000 in 1993 and a new hatchery, Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery was completed in August of 1996.
The mission of the state fish hatchery system is to support the management plans implemented by Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries’ Inland Fisheries Biologists providing them with healthy sport fish fingerlings to stock into Louisiana’s public waters.
The Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery Visitors Center and Aquarium, Hatchery tours are available during March and April, Tuesday through Thursday (holidays excluded). To schedule a tour, contact the hatchery at (318) 748-6914 and add the website http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/booker-fowler-fish-hatchery
