LR Catalogs

"I want to be prompted every time LR opens to "create new catalog location" "

I am not sure that is a good idea.

You can set Lightroom-Classic Preferences / General, to prompt you for a list of catalogs to open which also has a [Create New Catalog] button.

"How do I get lightroom to stop managing my catalog locations?"

One Catalog only! YOU decide where YOU want the Catalog. And have LrC load a 'Specific' catalog, or use the 'Load Most Recent' option.

And for an argument on the benefits of ONE catalog read this thread-

Lightroom-Classic catalog organization