The Best Places to SUP Fish in Louisiana: Top 20 Spots to Reel in the Big Ones!
Louisiana is a haven for fishing enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of fishing opportunities in its scenic waterways. Stand-up paddleboard (SUP) fishing has become a popular method to explore these picturesque locations while enjoying the thrill of angling. In 2023, many fantastic SUP fishing spots still exist in Louisiana, where anglers can catch a variety of fish species. In this article, we will explore the top 20 locations, highlighting the best types of lures or bait to use, the target species of fish, and the best time of year to fish each spot. So lets explore some of the best places for sup fishing in Louisiana.
Key Highlights
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Diverse Fishing Opportunities: Louisiana offers a wide variety of fish species across its scenic waterways, perfect for SUP fishing enthusiasts.
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Best Times for Fishing: Detailed insights into the optimal fishing seasons for each location, ensuring a successful catch.
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Effective Lures and Baits: Recommendations on what baits and lures to use for different fish species, enhancing your fishing experience.
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Record-Breaking Catches: Highlighting recent record catches in Louisiana's waters as inspiration for anglers.
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Scenic and Tranquil Locations: Emphasize the beauty and serenity of the top SUP fishing spots, making each fishing trip an unforgettable experience.
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Lake Pontchartrain:
Lake Pontchartrain, located near New Orleans, is a massive brackish lake known for its excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers can target a variety of fish species here, including speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and largemouth bass. The best time to fish Lake Pontchartrain is during the spring and fall, with soft plastic jigs and live shrimp being the most effective baits. In May 2023, a local angler caught a record-breaking 15-pound redfish in the lake using a popping cork and live bait.
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Calcasieu Lake:
Calcasieu Lake, also known as Big Lake, is one of Louisiana's premier fishing spots. Situated near Lake Charles, it offers excellent opportunities to catch speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. Topwater lures and live mullet are highly effective baits here. The best months to fish Calcasieu Lake are April and October when the fish are actively feeding before and after the spawn. In June 2023, a visiting angler landed a massive 32-inch speckled trout using a topwater plug.
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Lake Salvador:
Located in southeastern Louisiana, Lake Salvador is a serene freshwater lake, ideal for SUP fishing. Anglers can target largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. The best time to fish here is during spring and fall, with topwater lures and soft plastics being effective for bass. Nightcrawlers and cut bait work well for catfish. The lake's scenic beauty and abundant wildlife add to the charm of fishing here.
In May 2023, a local angler set a new record with a 9-pound largemouth bass caught using a plastic worm at Lake Salvador.
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False River:
False River is a long, narrow oxbow lake near New Roads, ideal for SUP fishing. This lake is known for its abundance of white bass, crappie, and catfish. Jigging spoons and live minnows are the best baits for white bass and crappie, while nightcrawlers work wonders for catfish. The best time to fish False River is during the cooler months of late winter and early spring. In February 2023, a group of friends caught a 3-pound crappie using a jigging spoon.
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Toledo Bend Reservoir:
As one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the United States, Toledo Bend offers exceptional fishing opportunities for bass anglers. Situated on the Texas-Louisiana border, this reservoir is abundant with largemouth bass and striped bass. Topwater lures and crankbaits are popular choices for bass fishing here. The prime months to fish Toledo Bend are March and November. In November 2022, an angler landed a 20-pound striped bass using a swimbait.
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Lake D'Arbonne:
Lake D'Arbonne, near Farmerville, is a beautiful cypress-studded lake known for its crappie fishing. Anglers have great success with jigs and minnows, especially during the spring spawning season. Crappie fishing peaks from March to April. In April 2023, a father and son duo caught an impressive 2.5-pound white crappie using a jig.
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Lake Bistineau:
Lake Bistineau, located near Shreveport, is a sprawling lake with an abundance of largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. Soft plastic worms and spinnerbaits are top choices for bass fishing, while jigs are preferred for crappie. Catfish anglers find success using chicken liver or nightcrawlers. The best time to fish Lake Bistineau is during the cooler months of fall and winter. In December 2022, an angler landed a 12-pound catfish using chicken liver.
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Caddo Lake:
Caddo Lake is a unique water body located on the Texas-Louisiana border. It offers a diverse range of fishing opportunities, including largemouth bass, crappie, and sunfish. Topwater frogs and plastic worms are highly effective for bass fishing, while crappie jigs work well for crappie. Spring and fall are the best seasons to fish Caddo Lake. In May 2023, a visiting angler caught an 8-pound largemouth bass using a topwater frog.
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Lake Claiborne:
Lake Claiborne, near Homer, is a popular destination for trophy bass fishing. It's stocked with Florida strain largemouth bass, making it an excellent spot for anglers seeking big fish. Swimbaits and jigs are top choices for targeting trophy bass. The best time to fish Lake Claiborne is during the pre-spawn and post-spawn periods in spring. In April 2023, a lucky angler caught a 10-pound Florida strain largemouth bass using a swimbait.
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Atchafalaya Basin:
The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest swamp in the United States, and its vast network of waterways offers a unique SUP fishing experience. Anglers can target largemouth bass, catfish, and bream here. Spinnerbaits and soft plastics work well for bass, while nightcrawlers and chicken liver are effective for catfish. The best time to fish the Atchafalaya Basin is during the cooler months of fall and winter. In November 2022, an angler caught a 5-pound channel catfish using nightcrawlers.
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Grand Isle:
Grand Isle is a barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico, known for its excellent saltwater fishing opportunities. Anglers can target speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and sheepshead here. Live shrimp and soft plastic lures are the go-to baits for inshore species. The best time to fish Grand Isle is during the spring and fall months. In September 2022, a local angler caught a 28-inch redfish using live shrimp.
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Lake Palourde:
Lake Palourde, near Morgan City in southern Louisiana, is a serene freshwater lake perfect for SUP fishing. Anglers can target largemouth bass, catfish, and sac-a-lait (crappie). The best time to fish is during spring and fall, using topwater lures and soft plastics for bass, and nightcrawlers or cut bait for catfish. In 2023, a local angler set a new record with a 2-pound sac-a-lait (crappie) caught using a jig
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Bayou Lafourche:
Bayou Lafourche is a long, winding waterway that flows through southeastern Louisiana, offering excellent opportunities for catfish and freshwater drum fishing. Nightcrawlers and cut bait are top choices for catfish, while live worms work well for freshwater drum. The best time to fish Bayou Lafourche is during the warmer months of summer. In July 2023, an angler caught a 15-pound catfish using cut bait.
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Lake Verret:
Lake Verret is a scenic freshwater lake near Pierre Part, known for its outstanding crappie fishing. Anglers use jigs and minnows to target these fish during the spring spawning season. The best time to fish Lake Verret for crappie is in March and April. In April 2023, a local angler caught a 2-pound black crappie using a jig.
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Lake Maurepas:
Lake Maurepas is a shallow brackish lake connected to Lake Pontchartrain, offering fantastic opportunities to catch speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. Live shrimp and soft plastic lures are effective for these inshore species. The best time to fish Lake Maurepas is during the cooler months of spring and fall. In October 2022, an angler caught a 25-inch speckled trout using a soft plastic lure.
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Bayou Teche:
Bayou Teche is a serene waterway that flows through south-central Louisiana, providing anglers with the chance to catch bass and catfish. Spinnerbaits and plastic worms are popular choices for bass fishing, while catfish anglers prefer nightcrawlers or stink bait. The best time to fish Bayou Teche is during the spring and fall months. In September 2022, an angler caught a 5-pound largemouth bass using a spinnerbait.
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Lake Fausse Pointe State Park:
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park offers access to the Atchafalaya Basin's diverse fishing opportunities. Anglers can catch largemouth bass, bream, and catfish here. Soft plastics and spinnerbaits work well for bass, while nightcrawlers and worms are effective for bream and catfish. The best time to fish Lake Fausse Pointe is during the cooler months of fall and winter. In December 2022, an angler caught a 3-pound blue catfish using nightcrawlers.
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Bayou Black:
Bayou Black is a series of interconnected waterways near Houma, providing excellent fishing for largemouth bass and panfish. Topwater lures and soft plastic worms are popular choices for bass, while crickets and worms work well for panfish. The best time to fish Bayou Black is during the cooler months of fall and winter. In January 2023, an angler caught a 6-pound largemouth bass using a topwater frog.
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Lake Des Allemands:
Lake Des Allemands is a beautiful cypress-studded lake known for its catfish and bowfin fishing. Nightcrawlers and stink bait are popular choices for catfish, while topwater frogs and spinnerbaits are effective for bowfin. The best time to fish Lake Des Allemands is during the warmer months of spring and summer. In May 2023, an angler caught a 10-pound bowfin using a topwater frog.
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Pearl River:
The Pearl River flows through eastern Louisiana, offering anglers the chance to catch bass, catfish, and bream. Spinnerbaits and plastic worms are effective for bass, while nightcrawlers and chicken liver work well for catfish and bream. The best time to fish the Pearl River is during the spring and fall months. In October 2022, an angler caught a 4-pound largemouth bass using a plastic worm.
Conclusion:
Louisiana boasts an array of incredible SUP fishing spots that cater to various anglers' preferences. From freshwater lakes and bayous to saltwater estuaries and coastal waters, the state's diverse landscapes offer ample opportunities to reel in some impressive catches. Whether you're a bass enthusiast, a saltwater angler, or a catfish aficionado, Louisiana's fishing locations have something to offer. So, pack your gear, grab your SUP, and head to one of these 20 fantastic fishing spots for an unforgettable angling adventure in Louisiana in 2023. Happy fishing!
Glide Paddle Boards SUP Fishing Tips.
Welcome to our Comprehensive Guide on paddle board fishing! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced angler, we have a wealth of tips and information to make your SUP fishing experience a success. Glide Paddle Boards offers a wide range of paddle boards suitable for all your needs.
If you're new to SUP fishing, don't worry! We have you covered with beginner tips from Glide. Learn about fishing from a SUP and discover the best techniques for landing fish while paddle board fishing. Our article on Fishing from a Paddle Board provides valuable tips, tricks, and insights to help you make the most of your fishing adventure.
Wondering what a fishing SUP is? We've got the answer! Find everything you need to start SUP fishing, from the equipment to the techniques. Our Beginner's Guide to Spring SUP Fishing will get you started on the right foot.
For wildlife enthusiasts, we have a blog with informative articles, including the Beginner's Guide to Bird Watching. If you enjoy stand-up paddle boarding and wildlife encounters, don't miss our article on Stand Up Paddle Boarding and Wildlife Encounters.
If you're looking for the best paddle boarding spots in the United States, we've got you covered! Take a state-by-state tour of where to paddle board with Glide Paddle Boards in our article, The Best Places to Paddle Board in the United States. Explore our recommended locations and make the most of your paddle boarding adventures.
For those seeking international paddle boarding spots, we have two articles to help you out. Check out our ultimate guide on finding places to paddle board near you, which provides tips and tricks for discovering exciting new locations. And for a global perspective, don't miss our article on Epic Spots Globally To Paddle Board.
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