Louisiana is an angler’s dream with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, as well as freshwater fishing throughout the state. Nicknamed the “Sportsman’s Paradise,” Louisiana has over 77,000 miles of coastline and the largest manmade lake in the South. Fishing is an important part of Louisiana’s culture, and it’s the perfect place to lose yourself in the bayous and Cajun music to make some great memories.
Louisiana is the “Inshore Fishing Capital of the World” thanks to the sheer amount of coastline and having more marshes than any other coastal state. The intricate Louisiana Coastline was created by the Mississippi River, which built up a delta (where sediment is deposited when the river meets the Gulf) for thousands of years, then changed directions to create a new delta. This created bayous and estuaries with varying tidal depths and salinity perfect for a multitude of inshore fish.
Louisana nearshore waters are full of wrecks, oil rigs, and other structures that make excellent fishing spots.
This allows access to a mixed bag of fish species including redfish, black drum, and red snapper in state waters. Within a few miles of shore, there’s plenty of fishing to be done, and it’s sure to be a truly unique experience.
Louisiana Offshore Fishing
With direct access to the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana has some of the best offshore fishing in the world. Louisiana shores provide a muddy bottom that gently slopes to a drop-off, in the Gulf providing an ideal environment for offshore fish species. Around 80 miles off the coast, the water drops to 2,500 feet making it the perfect place to hook into a giant.
Top Saltwater Catches in Louisiana
Inshore Target Species in Louisiana
Speckled Trout
Speckled trout are the most targeted saltwater fish in Louisiana by recreational fishermen, both for being great fighters and for excellent table fare. The sandy bottoms, oyster reefs, and seagrass beds that Louisiana has are a perfect environment for them to thrive and a great place to fish.
Redfish
The warm and fertile waters of Louisiana make it excellent for redfish who hide in the wetlands and cruise the canals. Louisiana is special with excellent opportunities to catch redfish throughout the year making it the perfect spot to take a trip.
Flounder
Flounder are considered some of the most challenging and tasty inshore fish, making them a highly rewarding catch. On their annual migration flounder travel out of the Mississippi River to the deep sea where anglers have the best perfect shot at catching one.
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There are plenty of other species to be caught in the inshore waters of Louisiana including black drum, sheepshead, and more. The fertile waters and estuaries created by the Mississippi meeting the Gulf, along with then endless coastline and marsh areas, there’s plenty of places to explore looking for fish.
Nearshore Target Species in Louisiana
Cobia
Known as ling or lemonfish in Louisiana, cobia are found right off the coasts where they congregate in the Gulf of Mexico and come especially close to shore to spawn. They are typically found around oil rigs and other structures, feeding on smaller fish and squid. Cobia are a very curious fish and will sometimes swim right up to the side of the boat.
Red Snapper
Louisiana state fishery managers have worked hard to help rebuild a now strong, but once depleted red snapper population. They can be found circling both manmade and natural structures off the coasts of Louisiana, especially during their spawning season from May to September.
Tripletail
In Louisiana, tripletail are often called blackfish and can be found floating on their sides near cover. This is particularly common around the oil rigs out in Western Louisiana. Venice is one of the most productive locations in the world due to the incredible amount of structure in nearby waters. The waters surrounding Louisiana are a prime spot to head to catch your first or next tripletail.
And more!
The nearshore waters of Louisiana are known for the plethora of fish species that live here giving anglers the chance to catch a mixed bag on any trip. With bigger species hiding out amongst the structures and mud bottoms, jack crevalle, blacktip shark, and more can be caught here.
Offshore Target Species in Louisiana
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin are a world-renowned sportfish, prized for their speed, strength, and stamina. With easy access to the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana provides great yellowfin fishing spots that are easy to reach and navigate. Although they are a migratory species, yellowfin tuna are known to never leave the Gulf itself, which is partly what makes Louisiana such a promising spot to target them.
Mahi Mahi
Mahi-mahi are highly regarded sportfish for their beautiful color and strength on the hook. The “bull run” is when giant bull and cow mahi cruise the Gulf of Mexico during the spring and summer months in large schools and has become a favorite season of anglers in Louisiana.
Wahoo
Known for their fierce and tenacious personalities, wahoo are a fan favorite for an exciting fight in the salt. Louisiana is a top spot to land wahoo thanks again to all the structures throughout the Gulf that wahoo love to roam searching for prey. Wahoo in the area are so plentiful that Louisiana is regarded as the top place to fish for them in the United States and the world often outranking exotic locations like Cuba and Baja Mexico.
And more!
With access to some of the most productive feeding grounds in the Gulf of Mexico, Louisiana has some of the best offshore fishing spots in the world. Many more species such as amberjack, marlin, blackfin tuna, and sharks are also abundant in these waters.
Top Freshwater Catches in Louisiana
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth Bass are an iconic freshwater fish with a cult following, and Louisiana is full of monsters known as the southern largemouth. Almost every single freshwater lake, pond, and river in the state has excellent bass fishing, with several spots polling in the top 100 of Bassmasters places to fish in the US with some even cracking the top ten.
Catfish
Flathead, blue, and channel catfish are considered the kings of Louisiana and are considered a delicacy on the plate. They can be caught in rivers, streams, lakes, and backwaters nearly year-round and can weigh well over 100 pounds. Des Allemands, LA is the “Catfish Capital of the Universe” and even hosts a festival every year.
Freshwater Drum
Freshwater drum, or gou, are underrated fish that put up a terrific fight and make excellent table fare. Gou is short for gaspergou and has been a staple fish of Louisiana since written about by French adventurer, historian, and naturalist Antoine-Simon Le Page du Pratz in 1758.
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The Mississippi River and its tributaries provide rich waters across the state of Louisiana, and some of the best freshwater fishing in the world. Species like bluegill, sunfish, crappie, and many more can be found throughout the state.
Best Places to Fish Louisiana's Saltwaters
Grand Isle
With over 280 fish species and year-round fishing, Grand Isle is a sportfishing paradise. Being only eight miles wide, Grand Isle makes up for lack of land with hundreds of productive waterways teeming with excellent fishing. Being in a location right where marshland meets the Gulf gives access to everything from inshore fishing for bull reds, to offshore fishing for Mahi Mahi and everything in between.
Venice
Venice is right where the Mississippi River meets the Gulf of Mexico, which makes it one of the most fertile and productive fishing regions in the world. It’s known as both “Tuna Town” and the “Redfish Capital of the World,” Venice is full of excellent fishing from coastal brackish estuaries to deep offshore water and around every oil rig and structure in between.
Saint Bernard
Saint Bernard is known for its diverse fisheries and is a premier fishing destination in Louisiana. Saint Bernard itself is surrounded by marshes, wetlands, and bayous which attract a variety of fish species. There’s incredible year-round fishing in the swamps and bayous for redfish and speckled trout or you can drive over to New Orleans and have both.
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Louisiana itself has so much access to water, that it is almost impossible to find a bad spot to fish. The diversity of species and environments creates one of the best fisheries in the world and a great spot to take a fishing trip.
Best Places to Fish Louisiana’s Freshwaters
Calcasieu Lake
Located only a few hours from the major hub of Houston, Calcasieu Lake is a popular spot for anglers to target sought-after species. Freshwater from the Calcasieu River mixes with saltwater from Calcasieu Pass to create the perfect brackish water home to a variety of species including redfish, sheepshead, catfish, largemouth bass, tripletail, and even cobia. The gem of Calcasieu Lake is speckled trout, where they are known to weigh well over seven pounds.
Delacroix
Delacroix is known as the “Bass Mecca” of the United States and is only a 30-minute drive from New Orleans. Full of canals and lakes, the bass fishing here is great throughout the year. Anglers can spend years cruising the channels and casting the banks and never fish the same spot twice. Delacroix isn’t just great for bass though. It is home to marshes that hide redfish, catfish, and more.
Toledo Bend Reservoir
Along the Shelby River, Toledo Bend Reservoir joins Texas and Louisiana together with excellent freshwater fishing for catfish, crappie, and sunfish. The real prize in this reservoir is bass, especially largemouth. With plenty of vegetation and standing timber, largemouth bass are available year-round. With over 100 regional and national tournaments a year, Toledo Bend Reservoir is a top choice for freshwater anglers.
And more!
The amount of water available to anglers in Louisiana is amazing. There are hundreds of lakes, rivers, canals, channels, streams, and more throughout the state with thousands of honey holes full of bass, catfish, crappie, and more. No matter where you go in Louisiana, the fishing will be top-notch.
Best Season for Louisiana Fishing
Louisiana is unique for being a truly year-round fishery. No matter where or when you go, there will always be something to fish for. However, there are better seasons than others if you have a specific species you’d like to target. The key is to find the best season for your key fish, and if you show up at the right time, they will be waiting.
Best Guided Trips in Louisiana
Captain Experiences is here to help you find the perfect guide to make the most of your time in one of the World’s premier fishing locations. With hundreds of Damn Good Guides throughout the state of Louisiana, we can help you find the perfect spot and type of trip for your next adventure. Select from our available locations to browse all trip options in Louisiana, or contact us for help finding the perfect guide.
