By April C. Doughty
When it comes to fishing, gar don’t have the reputation of bass, crappie, or catfish, but for anglers who know how to target them, these ancient fish provide one of the most exciting fishing experiences in Louisiana.
Last year, West Monroe Mayor Staci Mitchell and Honey Hole Tackle Shop hosted the inaugural West Monroe Gar Rodeo. Mitchell conceived the idea after attending a long-standing gar rodeo in Madisonville, Louisiana, with her grandchildren. She was enamored by the fun, family-oriented nature of the event, as well as the friendly competition and sense of community she witnessed.
“We’ve always looked for ways to enjoy the Ouachita River,” she said. After experiencing the gar rodeo in Madisonville, Mitchell knew West Monroe’s unique position along the Ouachita made the city a perfect location to host a similar event.
The second annual West Monroe Gar Rodeo, also hosted by Honey Hole and the City of West Monroe, is returning Aug. 28-29 as part of a full weekend of outdoor activities that includes the North Louisiana Sportsman’s Expo.
The gar rodeo celebrates one of Louisiana’s oldest and most rugged fish while giving anglers multiple ways to compete. Participants can take to the water with jugs, poles or bowfishing equipment, with divisions designed for both adults and young anglers.
“We have plenty of gar,” Mitchell said. Louisiana has four species of gar: spotted, short nose, long nose, and alligator gar. Each has unique characteristics, but all are native to Louisiana and have lineages that date back over 100 million years. Gar populations are stable and healthy in Louisiana and are monitored and supported through conservation efforts by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).
Mitchell reported that last year none of the gar harvested during the gar rodeo were wasted. The LDWF used many of the gar for research, some were used by a local artist to make art prints, and some were given away for use as food. She reports similar plans to minimize waste during this year’s gar rodeo.
To make the 2026 Gar Rodeo bigger and better, organizers have added a new numbers only bowfishing category, giving bowfishing teams (four- person maximum) a chance to compete simply to see which boat can bring in the most gar. Also new this year is a chance to win a Turtlebox speaker for the first angler or team to weigh in a fish heavier than 100 pounds by midnight on August 29.
The 2026 divisions include Jug Big 3, Pole Big 3, Catfish Big 3, Bowfishing Numbers Only, Bowfishing Big 3, Youth Gar Big 3, Youth Catfish Big 3, and Overall Big Fish.
Prize money is tied directly to registration fees for each category, while additional money has been added to several divisions. Organizers have added $200 to the Youth Gar and Youth Catfish categories, $400 to the Jug, Pole and Catfish categories, and $500 to the Overall Big Fish category.
The rodeo gets underway Friday evening in downtown West Monroe at Alley Park, where registration begins at 6 p.m. A captains’ meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m. Participants are also welcome to register in advance through a link on the City of West Monroe’s Gar Rodeo page or in person at Honey Hole Tackle Shop.
Later Friday evening, the action moves to Lazarre Park at 703 S. Riverfront, where late registration will remain open from 9 p.m. until midnight.
Mitchell said she’s confident someone will weight in a fish over 100 pounds before registration closes and win the Turtlebox speaker, which was donated by Wesley Graff of River City Metal and Machine. According to Mitchell, multiple fish over 150 pounds were weighed in last year, and the overall big fish, caught by Timothy McQuillin in the pole category, weighed 207.23 pounds and was 7 ft, 5 in long.
This year, weigh ins are scheduled for Saturday morning. The numbers only Bowfishing division will weigh in at 7 a.m., followed by the Big 3 and Overall Big Fish weigh-ins at 10 a.m., all at Lazarre Park.
The variety is part of what makes the event accessible to more than one type of angler. Experienced bowfishing teams can compete alongside those who prefer traditional fishing methods, while youth divisions give younger outdoor enthusiasts an opportunity to participate in the competition themselves. According to official rules, everyone in a boat must be a registered participant in at least one division.
Given the solid turnout last year and the increased regional interest this year, Mitchell is expecting more participation this year than last, especially with the new bowfishing numbers category. In fact, she said they are currently expecting multiple teams from Arkansas and Oklahoma to make the drive to compete.
Mitchell said, “The gar rodeo is helping to get the word out about our area, West Monroe, and Ouachita Parish. It’s another reason to love our community and create connections.”
But the gar rodeo is only part of the weekend’s outdoor celebration. The North Louisiana Sportsman’s Expo, also in its second year, will take place at West Monroe Sports and Events, located at 875 Constitution Drive, giving visitors another reason to make the trip to West Monroe.
The expo, which is expected to host more than 100 vendors, is designed to showcase the many ways people enjoy the outdoors, with boats, fishing gear and outdoor equipment featured alongside demonstrations and hands-on activities. Whether someone spends weekends on the water, in the woods or simply enjoys exploring Louisiana’s outdoors, organizers say there will be something to see.
The expo will be open from 3-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
Mitchell encourages visitors and gar rodeo participants to visit the expo. “It’s about exposure, enjoyment, and quality of life,” she said.
Tickets for the North Louisiana Sportsman’s Expo are $25 for an adult weekend pass and $10 for high school and college students. One-day passes are $10 for adults and $6 for high school and college students. Children 14 and younger are admitted free.
For those who enjoy Louisiana’s outdoor traditions, the combination of the gar rodeo and sportsman’s expo offers a weekend with plenty to see and do. From anglers competing to put the biggest or most gar in the boat to families exploring the latest outdoor gear, the event highlights the variety of ways North Louisiana residents connect with the outdoors.
Whether visitors come to compete, watch the weigh-ins, explore the expo or simply experience something a little different, the second annual West Monroe Gar Rodeo promises to bring a distinctly Louisiana brand of outdoor fun back to the riverfront in neighboring Ouachita Parish.
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