Are you interested in becoming a volunteer instructor for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF)? Through LDWF’s Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program (Aquatic VIP), you can learn not only the basics of fishing and fisheries management, but also how to teach skills in order to get younger generations hooked on fishing too! This month, LDWF will be hosting an Aquatic VIP workshop in the Shreveport area on Wednesday, April 18th. This workshop is perfect for teachers, Boy Scout leaders, homeschoolers, and everyone who enjoys fishing and the outdoors!

At this hands-on workshop led by LDWF biologists, you’ll receive the training you need to become a volunteer instructor, an invaluable ally in LDWF’s efforts to increase fishing participation and wise utilization of natural resources across Louisiana. Topics and activities include basic fishing techniques, proper fish identification, invasive species awareness, fish biology, fisheries management and more. A binder full of lesson plans, activity guides, and educational materials will be given to all volunteers who attend the workshop.

After completing the 8-hour workshop and passing a background check, volunteers can borrow equipment to help teach these topics to others. For example, if you’ve always wanted to host your own fishing clinic for youth, but didn’t have the materials and resources to offer an event, then this is your solution! We can provide fishing rods with basic tackle, a knot tying kit, art and crafts activities and more. Join us at our free* workshop to get started! The workshop will be held at the LDWF District 1 Office (9961 Hwy. 80) in Minden, LA.

To find out more information or to sign up, please visit: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/ldwf-volunteer-programs. For any questions about the Aquatic Volunteer Instructor Program, contact Alayna McGarry at (504) 286-4050 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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