Two Men Cited in Rapides Parish for Illegally Shocking Catfish

   06.22.23

Two Men Cited in Rapides Parish for Illegally Shocking Catfish

Two agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) found and cited two men from Evangeline Parish Louisiana earlier this month during a routine patrol. The two Evangeline Parish men were cited in Rapides Parish on June 9th for alleged fishing violations. The first of the two, Brandon Theriot, 37 of Ville Platte was cited by agents for illegally taking fish. The second, Regan Theriot, 32 of Ville Platte was cited for angling without a fishing license. They were found in a small fishing boat to be illegally in possession of two catfish.

The two LDWF enforcement agents were on patrol on the Red River when they made contact with the two Ville Platte men in a small fishing vessel. Observing that the men were fishing the officers did a compliance check where they found the men in possession of two catfish. When officers inspected the vessel further they found a line that was connected to a 12-volt battery under Brandon Theriot’s seat. The battery was in turn wired up to a can of smokeless tobacco, making a rudimentary fish-shocking device. Seeing this the agents further questioned Mr. Theriot who admitted to the agents that they were using the device as a homemade fish-shocker to catch catfish in the river.

Two Men Cited in Rapides Parish for Illegally Shocking Catfish

The agents seized the homemade fish-shocking device and released the two catfish back into the Red River. Taking fish in an illegal manner such as shocking in the state of Louisiana can bring in a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail. Angling without a fishing license brings up to a $50 fine in the state.

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Eugene L. is currently a writer for OutdoorHub who has chosen not to write a short bio at this time.

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