Cast the line!
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Big Bass Fishing Rodeo and Fishtival

Since 1946

UPDATE:

This event is canceled. 

City Park guests are invited to get the most up-to-date information on the City Park website. The Covid-19 Updates page will have all current information on changes to attractions and events including smaller events in the Park.

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On Saturday, March 28, 2020, New Orleans City Park hosts its 73rd annual Big Bass Rodeo, the oldest freshwater rodeo in the country. Be sure and visit the free Fishtival with exhibitors, vendors, raffles, fishing tackle for sale, and more!

The traditional Big Bass Rodeo is a bank-fishing only event but in 2014, we added a new division called “Boats on the Bayou” for kayakers and other non-motorized vessels to fish for various species in Bayou St. John. In 2016, Battle for the Bass was presented by Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries as a school competition for 7th through 12th grade students. 

Future Dates:  March 27, 2021

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    Big Bass Rodeo

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    Boats on the Bayou

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    Battle for the Bass

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    The Fishtival

    Fun for the entire family!

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    Register

    For any part of the event

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    History and Winners

    We've got fish tales to tell!

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    Wildlife & Fisheries

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    Committee and Contacts

  •  
    Become a Sponsor

    Want to help out?

  • Big Bass Fishing Rodeo and Fishtival
  • Big Bass Fishing Rodeo and Fishtival

TWEETS FROM THE PARK:

PARK TALK:

“One of my favorite places in the world!” - Karen L.
“Beautiful trees. So peaceful to be there.” - Colleen P.
“We LOVED this Park. The Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn made us take off our shoes upon laying eyes on it!” - Marvin G.
“One of my favorite places....absolutely the most beautiful park I have ever seen (even internationally)!” - Karen L.
“It's the most beautiful place in New Orleans in my opinion!” - Anjali K.
“I played mini golf with my husband there 41 years ago. ” - Peg K.
“Can I just tell you all how much I LOVE city park?! The singing oak tree coupled with the sculpture garden gives me all of the positive feels. Happy to be affiliated with such a wondrous place! ” - Jacinda L.
“When you go to City Park, you enter another world!” - Linda Marie J.
“Everyone who lives here or visits should take advantage of this city's #1 asset.” - Steve I.
“One of the best kept secrets in NOLA. ” - Wyndham N.
“Can't wait for the day that I can take my grandchild to the place that my parents use to take me...great memories! ” - Jennie O.
“I remember having my picture taken at the Peristyle for my dance review back in 1964. The Peristyle is still so beautiful!” - Bunny W.
“Another claim to fame in our beloved city.” - Carolyn B.
“If you go to New Orleans, you got to see the Mardi Gras...and City Park. What a gem in a place of craziness! ” - Molly H.
“On behalf of the many citizens like me...job well done. The Park is truly a wonderful asset for our city.” - Eric F.
“What a great place to get away from the madness of the French Quarter! ” - Susan F.
“The most beautiful spot in all of NOLA by far!! We will be returning.” - Stacy A.
“I would move here for this Park!” - Caity L.
“Worth seeing! We drove to the park & there was plenty of parking & it was easy to find. Loved the sculpture garden!” - Linda B.
“We had great time yesterday at the Park! We will definitely be back soon! ” - Nadra J.
“Climbing the trees at City Park is an important rite of passage for any true NOLA kid. ” - Melissa R.
“Everyone I know calls the horses on the Carousel the Flying Horses! ” - Ralph M.
“City Park its really, really, really beautiful.” - Nina G.
“Beautiful location, Park is clean, so much to see for free, great artwork and streetcar accessible.” - Gladys R.
“I have to say, not only is City Park beautiful but it is incredibly relaxing and gives you that refreshing boost, I don't know, it kind of just feeds your soul a little bit.” - Greg H.
“No trip to NOLA is complete unless you spend an afternoon at City Park. Bring a picnic, spread a blanket and relax. There's plenty to do and see from Disc Golf to the Sculpture Gardens and rides for the kiddies. You can make a whole day of it and never get bored. Enjoy.” - Dan M.
“I wish we couldn't spent hours here! There is an Amusement Park, a sculpture garden, a place to get coffee and beignets and more! I'd love to go back and spend more time!” - Gina V.
“City Park was the factor that turned me from a tourist to a resident of New Orleans. ” - Bill W.
“Such a beautiful, magical park!” - Josh A.
“Had fun at the park yesterday...my family and I rented the paddle boats and had a blast!!! ” - Kristi S.
“If I was 40 years younger I would climb these large trees!” - Renee E.
“Man, @NOLACityPark is one of the best things about this city.” - Rab G.
“My #1 reason for wanting to move to the city!” - Nicholas C.
“City Park is my gym, my place to grab a snack, my zen place.” - Elodie C.
“The lighting on the Peristyle and Bandstand look great! Thank you City Park for being beautiful! ” - Julie S.
“This is my little piece of heaven. ” - Debby G.
“I found the Park extremely beautiful and peaceful. I would not have imagined such a beautiful green space existed so close to the city. ” - Hugo E.
“My family and I have been riding our bikes on the track around the Festival Grounds. We love it, and it’s clear everyone else does too. It’s a big asset for the city. ” - Truman B.
“I just finished my jog at the beautiful City Park. It’s a great place to exercise. ” - James B.
“A beautifully landscaped, tranquil haven away from the razzle dazzle of the French Quarter. ” - Sue B.
“The free and open space - there’s nothing like being at City Park on a nice day. ” - Ase W.
“Every route is scenic. Trails and paved roads snake like the Mississippi River around bayous, lakes, ponds, sculptures, fountains, Venetian gondolas, and 600-year-old oaks. There's a 3/4 mile boardwalk around Big Lake, nature trails, and paved areas for running! ” - G. Hill
“This Park is vast & beautiful - old oaks, a museum, gardens, art - a park you can bring the kids to for rides and to feed the ducks & swans. ” - Molly W.
“I had my reception at City Park in September of 2003 and people STILL talk about the food. It was beyond my wildest dreams! ” - Veronica P.
“I so love MY PARK, even at 53 years old, it is a treasure that brings back my earliest memories - and great ones at that!” - Allison J.
“My husband and I love the cedar swings at the Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn. It's our date place to get away from the kids. ” - Elodie C.
“Great for riding bikes through. We even saw Surrey bikes that you can rent at the Park!” - Lars H.
“I just discovered the walking paths in Couturie Forest off of Harrison. They are awesome! ” - Bern S.
“Thank you, City Park, for the gift of the exercise equipment and the walking/running/biking trail at the Festival Grounds. It is a great venue to work out in and to enjoy the Park” - Kathy S.
“The Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn, across from the Peristyle, is a fantastic addition to the Park. ” - Daniel T.
“My daughter's 5th birthday party was here, it was great. ” - Victoria T.
“Beautiful! A nice place to get away from city traffic. The Spanish moss large draped oaks are gorgeous for picture taking.” - Adam T.
“City Park is amazingly beautiful and provides a wealth of resources in our great city.” - Gina M.
“I have wonderful memories biking through CP & Couturie Forest w/ my children.” - Karen C.
“New Orleans is a destination of sights, of tastes, and of sounds. Here, the sounds of the city can fill you with life. But in City Park, an oasis for natives and transplants like myself, the sounds of the Big Easy can make you feel safe. Calm. And at-home.” - Garland H.
“Can't wait to go back.” - Lisa S.
“We are from Florida but love NOLA! And City Park is one of the crown jewels! We go there each time we visit! Love it, this is the model all city parks should strive to emulate. City Park is for all the citizens of New Orleans. ” - Shannon D.
“We rented a Single Surrey, and did a full tour, that took us next to the Botanical Garden, Amusement Park, City Putt, and the beignet cafe. What a great time!” - Amy C.
“I saw a yellow-crowned night heron eating a worm for breakfast this morning! #Nature” - Andrea P.
“@NOLACityPark has to be the nicest park I have ever seen. Best place for #running or just #relaxing.” - Jamie Z.
“Every visitor should see this Park. A wonderland of lights during Christmas and a worth while trip year round.” - Mel H.
“As strong supporters we marvel at the progress City Park has made in revitalizing the Park.” - Lawrence and Beth T.
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CITY PARK FACTS:

City Park would not be the place it is today without President Rooseveltís Works Progress Administration efforts during the Great Depression. More than 20,000 men and women were employed to build bridges, roads, fountains, the Botanical Garden and Tad Gormley stadium, and to dig more 11 miles of lagoons - work all done by hand.