Louisiana Man ‘Stunned’ After Catching Stingray in Mississippi River

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A Louisiana fisherman was “amazed” by what he pulled out of the Mississippi River this weekend.

William Hammond, 54, of Port Allen, said he was fishing around 1 p.m. Sunday, June 30, between Plaquemine and Bayou Goula on the Mississippi River when he caught a stingray.

Hammond said he “thought it was a catfish the way it was fighting.” He added that it took him about five to seven minutes to reel in the ray.

Jason Adriance, a finfish program biologist with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, said what Hammond caught was likely an Atlantic stingray.

“Atlantic stingrays are not generally aggressive, however, anglers should exercise caution when handling them as they have long, sharp spines on their tails that inflict painful venomous wounds,” Adriance said.

Hammond said he was not stung and that it was the first time he had caught a stingray in the Mississippi River.

Adriance said it’s not uncommon to catch this species of ray in the Mississippi River.

“Atlantic stingrays are known to inhabit both fresh and salt waters and occasionally enter Louisiana rivers,” Adriance said.

Hammond said he plans to clean and cook the skate on July 4.

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