Here’s some great information from Dewees’s Director of Environmental Programs:

Alligators

Please keep in mind the following information when using the crab dock.

• Use only fish or fish heads for crab bait.  It works just as well, (or better) than chicken.  Because chicken is an unusual smell in the impoundment, alligators are apt to be even more curious than usual.  Once they associate chicken with food, they can become acclimated to human presence on the dock.

• Place minnow traps and fish keepers on the outside of the impoundment.  (thrashing fish and captive bait can be irresistible to alligators.)

• When crabbing always keep bait on the bottom, bait on the surface will attract alligators.  Please remember crabs feed on the bottom and alligators feed at the surface.

• If you are fishing or crabbing and an alligator comes within 60 feet of the dock or rice trunk please immediately remove all lines from the water and leave the area.

• If you are shrimping with a cast net, be sure to take all dead and dying bycatch and put it in the bucket provided at the dock.  When you are finished, use the bucket and dump all bycatch and scraps, shrimp heads, etc., on the OUTside of the rice trunk.

• If you observe trespassers anchoring boats to the outside of the rice trunk and climbing over to use the dock, notify public safety immediately.

• Anyone witnessing unlawful actions against alligators should report them immediately to public safety.

Your diligence helps to maintain a safe environment for alligators and people.