The Best Places To Fish in Louisiana
Louisiana offers an abundance of prime fishing spots, making it a haven for anglers seeking diverse and rewarding experiences. The purpose of this page is to share information about the best fishing lakes in the state, listed by species.
One of the best places to fish in Louisiana is the vast network of marshes and bayous in the southern part of the state. These marshlands are teeming with popular species such as redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. The best season to fish in these marshes is during the spring and fall when the water temperatures are ideal, and the fish are more active. Anglers can enjoy sight fishing in the shallows and experience the thrill of reeling in these hard-fighting saltwater species.
Another exceptional fishing location in Louisiana is the famous Toledo Bend Reservoir, located on the border with Texas. This massive reservoir offers excellent fishing for largemouth bass, striped bass, and crappie. The best season to fish at Toledo Bend is in the spring and fall, when the water temperatures are comfortable for bass activity, and anglers can find them near the shallows. The reservoir's vastness provides ample opportunities for boat fishing and exploring different areas to maximize your chances of catching trophy-sized fish.
For those interested in offshore fishing, Grand Isle and Venice are popular destinations. Located along the Gulf of Mexico, these areas are known for their exceptional saltwater fishing opportunities. Anglers can target a wide variety of species, including tuna, snapper, grouper, and cobia. The best season to fish offshore in Louisiana is during the warmer months, from spring to fall, when the waters are calmer, and the fish are more active.
Lake Pontchartrain, a large estuary near New Orleans, is another top spot for fishing in Louisiana. This lake offers diverse opportunities, from freshwater species like largemouth bass and catfish to saltwater species like speckled trout and redfish. The best season to fish in Lake Pontchartrain is during the fall and spring, when the water temperatures are mild, and the fish are feeding more actively.
Overall, Louisiana's rich and diverse fishing opportunities make it a haven for anglers year-round. Whether you prefer freshwater or saltwater fishing, the state's marshes, lakes, rivers, and coastal areas offer a wide array of species and memorable experiences for fishing enthusiasts of all levels.
There are many great places to fish in The Pelican State. Coastal waters, rivers, streams, small lakes, ponds and major lakes each provide unique fishing opportunities. This website focuses on lake fishing, and primarily the larger lakes in the state. While some lakes produce better than others, the best place to fish in Louisiana may be the one most convenient to you.
Louisiana's Top-Five, Amazing Fishing Spots
- Toledo Bend Reservoir in western LA
- Caddo Lake in northwest LA
- Lake D’Arbonne in northern LA
- Caney Creek Reservoir in north-central LA
- Turkey Creek Lake in east-central LA
Fishing conditions can change from year to year, based on a lot of factors. Water levels, weather, fishing pressure and a host of other issues can vary enough to impact your fishing experience. These lake are among the best places to fish due to long-standing reputations for delivering both quantity and quality of numerous fish species. Learn more...
Most Popular Fish Species In Louisiana
Anglers can expect to catch both species of crappie, three species of catfish, half a dozen species of sunfish, two species of bass, striped bass, hybrid stripers, and several other species in the state of Louisiana. Learn more...
Top Places To Fish For Crappie In Louisiana
- Caney Creek Reservoir in north-central LA
- Atchafalaya Basin in south-central LA
- Lake D’Arbonne in northern LA
Black and white crappie, locally knownas “sac-a-lait” are in abundance in virtually all freshwater fisheries in the state. State records for both species are over 3 3/4 pounds, with two-pounders very common. These three lakes offer both quantity and quality, while Toledo Bend is probably the top lake for numbers. Learn more...
Best Lakes To Fish For Catfish In Louisiana
- Lake Claiborne in north-central LA
- Toledo Bend Reservoir in western LA
- Lake D’Arbonne in northern LA
Big catfish swim in the fertile waters of Louisiana. Blues, flatheads and channel catfish can be found in many of the rivers and lakes across the state. While several other lakes are also good choices, these are a great place to fish for catfish in Louisiana. Learn more...
Best Sunfish Fishing Lakes In Louisiana
- Lake D’Arbonne in northern LA
- Turkey Creek Lake in east-central LA
- Lake Claiborne in north-central LA
Bluegill, or bream, are the most popular sunfish in the state. White bass are also enticing as they grow larger and tend to run in big schools. Redear, warmouth and yellow bass also provide good action an many state waters. Learn more...
Best Bass Fishing Lakes In Louisiana
- Toledo Bend Reservoir in western LA
- Caney Creek Reservoir in north-central LA
- Lake D’Arbonne in northern LA
The estate record largemouth exceeds 15 pounds and the state record spotted bass exceeds 4 3/4 pounds. They grow big here and in good numbers, due to the long growing season. While you can find good bass fishing all over the state, these three lakes are definitely some of the best places for bass fishing in the state. Learn more...
Best Lakes For Striped Bass Fishing In Louisiana
- Toledo Bend Reservoir in western LA
- Lake D’Arbonne in northern LA
- Caddo Lake in northwest LA
Big lakes tend to suit striped bass, where they travel in sizeable schools and grow to monster sizes. Hybrid stripers (wipers) also populate many of the fisheries in the state and are quite popular with locals. Learn more...
Enjoy these top spots to go fishing in Louisiana
Find the best places to fish, by state.
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