Raceland native wins fishing honor

A Raceland native who attends classes at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches has garnered honors outside the classroom in freshwater fishing, and wants to share what he knows with other students.

Johnny Ledet, a business management major, has organized a fishing team at his school, as part of a growing movement toward college fishing clubs.

Northwestern State University now joins several other schools, including Nicholls State University as locals to have a team.

Ledet has already won the Central B.A.S.S. Champion Awards part of the Bassmaster College Series competition.

Along with fishing partner Justin Cooper, Ledet bagged 17 pounds of bass during a 3-day competition on the Red River.

Growing up in the bayou country, fishing with relatives and friends since he was 14-years-old, Ledet said he is excited at the prospect of helping his school keep a competitive edge.

“Learning to fish at a competitive level, as opposed to fishing for fun, is more focused, when the intent is to catch fish on a schedule,” Ledet said. “It’s fun to do something you love and compete at it.”

“Fishing is becoming a huge sport for high school students and Northwestern State has an 11-member fishing team and tons of bass fishing around the area,” said Jana Lucky, director of university recruiting. “We want to be the choice for fisherman across Louisiana and out of state.”

Ledet, who has competed in high school sports when at E.D. White High and continued doing so on the baseball team at Northwestern State University, said what he likes best about fishing is being outdoors and on the water while spending time with buddies.

Catching the fish, he said, is lagniappe.

Ledet is the son of John and Linda Ledet, who now live in Natchitoches. His father is a businessman who owns area restaurants and convenience stores.

His mother is a nursing professor at Nicholls State University.

“I am very proud of him,” John Ledet said.

Fishing Award winner