The Hunting & Fishing Is Great In Southwest Louisiana, By Leroy Worley

The Iowa Rabbit Festival - The annual Iowa Rabbit Festival in Early March celebrates the contribution these cute and cuddly critters make to the state. The festival, held at Lawrence Toups Jr. Memorial Park, has a staggering estimated attendance of 15,000.

The Rabbit Festival is going back in time as they celebrate "Peace, Love, and Rabbits!" Hopping back to the 1960s, this year's festival is sure to be a groovy time. Before the festival begins, Miss Bunny will be crowned on March 8. There will also be a tiny tot pageant for all those little bunnies out there on March 1. Miss Bunny will compete against other queens from all over the state in the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals for the title of "Queen of Queens."

Join The Annual Iowa Rabbit FestivalThe festival begins on Friday evening with a carnival, children's petting zoo, craft booths, and live music. Saturday begins with the Rabbit Festival Cook-off at 7 a.m. and judging at noon. The annual parade will also be on Saturday at 10 a.m., complete with antique cars, floats, the famous Iowa High School Marching Band, and much more!

Great live Cajun music will be on from noon until midnight, including Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys, Wayne Toups and Zydecajun, Krossfyre, Hip Boot Joe, Travis Matte and the Zydeco Kingpens, to name a few. Sunday promises more of great carnival rides and festival-going fun. And, proceeds from the festival are donated back to local youth organizations, schools, and other not for profit groups.

Cameron Parish - Did you know every year, bank fishermen on the Cameron Parish beaches land some of the largest redfish caught in Louisiana? With no closed season, beach anglers throw live or cut mullets for redfish that sometimes break the 50-pound mark. Sit back and relax and you might find yourself catching pompano, Spanish mackerel or several other gulf species without a boat. There is a catch; anglers must buy a Louisiana basic fishing license. To learn more call 888-765-2602 for more information on licensing and limits before you visit.

Fishing Camps & Cajun Villages - Discover find unspoiled natural beauty punctuated occasionally by fishing camps and quaint Cajun villages. To the south, public sandy beaches merge into the gulf. To the north, seemingly endless marshes kiss the horizon. fish in the channel and at the jetties marking the channel mouth to the south. For a mile, rocks jut into the Gulf of Mexico. A boat launch at the head of the jetties offers access to the gulf and to the channel.

Many anglers without boats hike along the rocks to fish for large speckled trout, redfish, sheepshead, drum, flounder and many other sal*censored*er species. North of the jetties, a short distance from the new recreational vehicle park, anglers can fish the 40-foot deep waters for black drum, redfish, speckled trout and croakers from the public pier jutting into the ship channel.

Slip Away From Your Busy Life -  To Louisiana where you can go fishing and crabbing, bird watching or take a dip, and relax along the shore. Take a little hike and discover all Cameron Parish in one of the most beautiful unspoiled environments in North America. If you want to avoid fighting crowds to relax in peace at uncrowded beaches or share in the bounty of nature, Cameron Parish welcomes you.