West Monroe Gar Rodeo: Tournament Guide, Weigh-In Highlights & Results

As twilight settles over the Ouachita River in late August, the sound of outboard motors and archery reels marks the start of one of Northeast Louisiana's most distinctive sporting events: the West Monroe Gar Rodeo. Presented by Honey Hole Tackle Shop and organized by the Kiroli Foundation, this multi-division tournament draws seasoned competitors and curious spectators alike to celebrate Louisiana's legendary river creature - the alligator gar.

Fossil records show that gar have swum North American waterways for over 100 million years. In West Monroe, this prehistoric fish takes center stage in a weekend competition combining serious angling skill, river conservation, and family-friendly community traditions.

Tournament Schedule: From Alley Park to Lazarre Park

The West Monroe Gar Rodeo unfolds across two key waterfront hubs in Downtown West Monroe: Alley Park (250 Trenton St) and Lazarre Park (100 Hamilton St).

The action kicks off on Friday evening at Alley Park with on-site angler registration at 6:00 PM, followed by the mandatory Captain's meeting at 6:30 PM. At 7:00 PM, the official shotgun start sends boats roaring into the Ouachita River basin for an all-night expedition.

Late registrations remain open until midnight at the Lazarre Park boat ramp. Competitors fish throughout the night beneath the summer stars before converging back at Lazarre Park on Saturday morning:

• 7:00 AM: Numbers-Only Bowfishing division weigh-in begins at Lazarre Park.
• 10:00 AM: Fishing officially concludes, followed by the Big 3 weigh-in and single heaviest gar scale certification.
• Awards Ceremony: Trophies and prize presentations immediately follow the final weigh-in.

Competition Divisions: Bowfishing, Jugs, and Youth Categories

The rodeo accommodates diverse angling styles across multiple sanctioned divisions, ensuring opportunities for everyone from specialized archery teams to young first-time fishermen:

• Bowfishing (Numbers Only): Nighttime archery teams navigate shallow flats and bayous targeting high-volume gar harvests.
• Bowfishing (Big 3): Focuses on cumulative weight across the three heaviest specimens landed by a single boat.
• Adult Pole & Line: Traditional rod-and-reel anglers testing tackle against powerful river predators.
• Adult Jug Fishing: Surface floating lines placed in strategic river eddies and backwaters.
• Adult Catfish (Three-Fish Bag): Dedicated division for channel, blue, and flathead catfish.
• Youth Divisions (Gar & Catfish): Specially curated categories introducing the next generation to competitive sport fishing.

To support local waterways, harvested gar are saved for consumption and bait, maintaining a long-standing Louisiana tradition of responsible harvest and culinary appreciation for gar meat.

2nd Annual West Monroe Gar Rodeo Results

The 2nd Annual edition produced remarkable hauls across every division, capped by massive river catches and high numbers brought to the scales at Lazarre Park:

Bowfishing - Numbers Only

• 1st Place (578 Gar): Zane Ferrell, Jeff Jester, Jeremy Taylor & Duston Jester
• 2nd Place (497 Gar): Brandon Carter, Perston Carter, Tyler Boles & Clancy Boles
• 3rd Place (391 Gar): Taylor Gilley, Dylan Edminston, Jack Jones & Cody Edminston

Adult Gar - Pole & Line

• 1st Place: Timothy McQui - 337.64 lbs.
• 2nd Place: George Martinez - 135.09 lbs.
• 3rd Place: John Wesley Ree - 66.44 lbs.

Adult Gar - Jug Line

• 1st Place: Justa Davis - 405.19 lbs.
• 2nd Place: Sherman Foote - 382.16 lbs.
• 3rd Place: Blake Davis - 311.41 lbs.

Adult Catfish (Three-Fish Bag)

• 1st Place: Leo Walker - 38.45 lbs.
• 2nd Place: CJ Rushing - 34.38 lbs.
• 3rd Place: Zack Nelson - 26.11 lbs.

Youth Divisions

• Youth Gar (1st Place): William Liles - 96.97 lbs.
• Youth Gar (2nd Place): Kaydence Oliver - 88.82 lbs.
• Youth Gar (3rd Place): Fenton Robertson - 23.91 lbs.
• Youth Catfish (1st Place): Bentley Toms - 9.58 lbs.
• Youth Catfish (2nd Place): William Liles - 9.47 lbs.

With organizers already planning the 2027 tournament, early preparations are underway for an even bigger weekend along the river. If you want upcoming event announcements, outdoor recaps, and local weekend guides delivered straight to your inbox, you can subscribe to the Meet Monroe newsletter below.

Planning Your Visit & Practical Tips

Whether you are participating in the tournament or bringing the family to watch massive river gar hoisted onto the scales, here is how to navigate the event smoothly:

• Weigh-In Spectating: The public is invited to watch the morning weigh-ins at Lazarre Park. The park features paved parking, grassy riverbank viewing, and public boat ramps.
• In-Person Registration & Tackle: Pre-registration and gear can be secured locally at Honey Hole Tackle Shop (2916 N 7th St, West Monroe, LA 71291; phone: (318) 323-8707). Payment for tournament fees is accepted in exact cash or check made payable to the Kiroli Foundation.
• Rules & Regulations: Complete tournament guidelines, size standards, and safety requirements are maintained by the City of West Monroe at cityofwestmonroe.com/376/Gar-Rodeo.
• Nearby Food & Exploring: After the Saturday morning awards ceremony, head a few blocks north to Antique Alley in West Monroe for breakfast at Caster and Chicory or local dining along Trenton Street.