ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) — The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has stocked the Red River with over 28,000 Florida strain largemouth bass fingerlings.

The Town Talk reports the Red River Waterway Commission agreed to a five-year plan to stock $50,000 worth of bass fingerlings annually into the five pools of the Red River.

The fingerlings were evenly distributed in the five pools of the river in order to improve fishing opportunities for the recreational angler. The fish range in size between 4 and 7 inches.

"These fish should have a huge impact on recreational fishing," said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. "A few years from now, some of these fish will grow to be 10 pounds or more."

The fish were purchased by the Red River Waterway Commission from the American Sportfish Hatchery. The department will assist with releasing 12,000 more fish by the end of the year, including a stocking on Dec. 5 in Avoyelles Parish.

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Information from: Alexandria Daily Town Talk, www.thetowntalk.com