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POINTE COUPEE & ST. MARTIN PARISH
Tucked away in the Morganza Floodway system of the
Atchafalaya Basin is the Big and Little Alabama
Bayous. Both bayous wind through the Sherburne WMA
and the Atchafalaya NWR.This area is accessed by
Hwy. 975, a shell and gravel road running from hwy.
190 at Krotz Springs (north) to I-10 (south). Lying
east of the Whiskey Bay Pilot Channel south access
is from I-10.
Hidden stumps are prevalent in the bayou making
slower speeds advisable especially during low water
periods. Structure lines the entire banks on both
sides of the bayou providing good cover for
largemouth bass. With high banks and trees lining
the waterway there is ample shade.
Bream, crappie, and white bass are also caught. Huge
gar fish are plentiful. Good choice of lures for
bass are spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastic worms,
and topwater baits. Many good fish can be taken by
running spinnerbaits along the side of logs.
Spinnerbaits are especially fun to use, as there are
so many places to pitch them.
ATCHAFALAYA BASIN
SOUTHERN LOUISIANA
Pointe Coupee Parish the Gulf of Mexico
Louisiana's beautiful Atchafalaya Basin is the
largest active river delta on the continent.
Beginning near Old River in Pointe Coupee Parish the
basin flows south to the Gulf of Mexico. A haven for
wildlife this region is a prime area for fishing,
crawfishing, frogging, sport fishing, and hunting.
Waters of the Atchafalaya Basin:
North End
(Ramah,
Butte LaRose, Henderson)
West Side
(Bayou Benoit, West Grand Lake, Myette Pointe, Lower
Bayou Teche)
East Side
(Bayou Pigeon, Belle River,
Bayou Sorrel, Lake Verret,
Lake Palourde)
Fishing the Basin
An extensive restoration program was launched by the
LDWF after the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in
1992. New regulations and a 14 inch minimum size
limit on largemouth bass were enacted as a means to
hasten the basin's recovery. Biologists with the
LDWF have acknowledged that the Atchafalaya Basin
has officially recovered from the effects of
Hurricane Andrew. Even with the recovery complete,
the size minimum on the basin is still in effect.
The Atchafalaya Basin is a very popular area with
anglers from all parts of Louisiana. The basin
supports all of the freshwater fishes of the South.
The most often taken species are largemouth bass,
spotted bass, white bass, crappie, bream and
catfish. For the sport fisherman the most sought
after fish in the basin is the Largemouth Bass.
The Atchafalaya River's coinciding fall with the
Mississippi River dictates which areas to fish, and
the best time to fish them. Anglers who fish the
basin regularly know how the water levels affect the
topography of the swamp and where "good" water is
located. They know from experience that water levels
play a key role in catching bass. Many anglers
follow the falling water from the northern basin to
areas in the southern end searching for the best
hotspots along the way. Other fisherman wait to hear
that the water levels are right and that fish are
being caught before they plan a trip. For those who
fish the basin infrequently, word of mouth from a
reliable source is the best bet.
Catching large numbers of fish in the basin is
possible, especially when the water is falling.
Lures of choice include spinnerbaits, buzz baits,
soft plastics, and a range of many others.
The swamp is so vast that it presents many different
types of cover, structure and conditions.
The swamp is huge, with vast numbers of bayous,
trails, pipeline canals and ponds. Before venturing
into the swamp it is advisable for those not
familiar with the basin to seek assistance from
local fishermen. It is easy to get stuck, as well as
lost in the wilderness of the Atchafalaya Basin.
When navigating the swamp use caution, as the basin
contains numerous submerged logs and stumps.
Located in upper St. Mary Parish and in parts of
lower St. Martin and Iberia Parishes is the
Attakapas Wildlife Management Area. Comprising
26,300 acres of flat swampland terrain this tract is
accessed by boat only.
Visit these links for more information about the
Atchafalaya Basin:
Related Links:
Mississippi River & Tributaries Project
Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge
Atchafalaya Bay Delta Reevaluation Study
Atchafalaya Basin Pictorial
St.
Martin Parish Page Locale
CAMERON PARISH
Permit Fishing
The Big Burn is located in Cameron Parish just south
of the Intracoastal Waterway and east of Highway 27.
It is necessary to obtain a permit from Miami
Corporation before fishing in Big Burn. They can be
purchased from several sporting good stores in and
around the Lake Charles area. The rules and
regulations are contained in the permit and must be
followed when fishing this area.
This fresh water marsh is a popular place for local
fisherman. The water is shallow and becomes heavily
vegetated, especially as summer progresses. Water
lilies and lotus as well as the water hyacinth are
found here. Early spring is the best time to fish
because the vegetation is not as thick. Bateaus with
small motors are used to access Big Burn. There are
many marsh trails found throughout the Big Burn.
Fishermen can catch, bass, white perch, and bream.
Catfish can be found in the deeper canals.
Trophy Lake
JACKSON PARISH
Located 6 miles southwest of Chatham, Louisiana is
an impoundment named Caney Lake. Over a three year
period Caney Lake was stocked with approximately one
million Florida largemouth bass. Comprising 5,000
acres this lake is producing bass over 15 pounds and
many of the state records have been set here. Caney
Lake is well known for producing lunkers. The best
chance of catching a huge spawning female bass is in
early spring.
Caney Lake also has an incredible bream population.
A state record chinquapin(red-eared sunfish) that
weighed 2.21 lbs. was caught in April of 1997. It
measured a whopping 13.5 inches long. So, bring live
worms and crickets along with your crankbaits and
plastic worms. Big fish abound in Caney Lake.
Trophy Lake
POINTE COUPEE PARISH
False River is one of three trophy lakes managed in
Louisiana. The Louisiana Fishing Regulations for
trophy lake management must be adhered to when
fishing this lake. Fisherman should become familiar
with the protected slot limits, etc.
False River is located 25 miles northwest of Baton
Rouge in Pointe Coupee Parish. The town of New Roads
is located on the west side of the lake. Ventress is
located on the east side and this side is referred
to as the Island side.
This 3,212 acre oxbow lake is a popular fishing area
in this part of the state. The area around the lake
is built-up with many homes and camps. Numerous
piers and boat houses provide good cover for
largemouth bass and crappie. The flats, located on
each end of the lake are known for producing
bluegills. Many other freshwater fish are also
caught in the lake.
During the summer months the lake is a popular
recreational area. The best time to fish this lake
during the summer would be very early in the
morning, and late in the evening. Recreational
boating is less of a problem during the weekdays.
ST. MARTIN PARISH
Henderson Lake is located in the West Atchafalaya
Basin Floodway between Ramah and Henderson, La. It
is a shallow backwater lake that was formed in the
1930's when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers doing
flood control work, dammed Bayou Berard and other
backwater streams. This created a shallow lake with
many streams and pools. The area is flooded each
spring with waters from the Atchafalaya River.
Henderson Lake is a popular fishing spot, with easy
access from Interstate 10. This backwater lake is
home to largemouth bass, white crappie, bluegill and
many other species. Cypress trees and water hyacinth
are scattered throughout this swampy lake. You can
enjoy a natural south Louisiana setting when fishing
this beautiful lake!
CAMERON PARISH
Located in Cameron Parish and southeast of Lake
Charles Louisiana is the Lacassine National Wildlife
Refuge. The 32,970 acre refuge was established in
1937 to preserve wintering habitat for waterfowl in
the coastal prairie of southwestern Louisiana. The
refuge is noted for its large concentration of
waterfowl, wildlife, and several species of
freshwater fish. Located inside the refuge is
Lacassine Pool which offers excellent marsh fishing.
Lacassine Pool was created by enclosing a 16,000
acre marsh with a low levee system. Largemouth bass,
crappie, sunfish and catfish are found in the marsh.
Anglers should consult the State regulations for
special restrictions in the refuge when fishing the
waterways. Seasons, hours, regulations on boat
motors, and other restrictions exist for the refuge.
The regulations help to conserve the wildlife and
also benefit the fish which live in the marsh. For
these reasons the opening spring fishing season
brings excellent catches of large, healthy black
bass. Anglers wait in long lines on opening day to
fish for large bass that are common catches early in
the season.
Like most of the shallow marshes in southwest
Louisiana, Lacassine Pool becomes heavily vegetated
during the summer months. Water lilies grow
profusely throughout the marsh. The water is very
clear and best fishing days are when the weather is
overcast with a slight breeze. Anglers use baby bass
spinner baits, floating lizards, worms, small
plastic frogs, spoons with pork chunks, and buzz
baits.
This area is extremely popular with local anglers
who anxiously await opening day each year.
TENSAS PARISH
Lake Bruin is located just north of the town of St.
Joseph. Approximately 3,000 acres in size the lake
is an oxbow of the Mississippi River. Having the
typical oxbow shape the lake is not like most oxbow
lakes in that it contains areas of water deeper than
55 feet.
Anglers yield the best catches of bass in the months
of April, May and June. Fall fishing is also
productive for bass. There is good fishing for
crappie, bluegill, spotted bass, and hybrid striped
bass. Crappie are best taken during early spring
using jigs around piers. The shallower water at both
ends of the lake are good for catching bluegill.
Large cypress trees provide a picturesque setting
for the beautiful Lake Bruin State Park. Offering
picnic areas, camp sites, and other facilities the
park is a great way to enjoy this lake.
Trophy Lake
CONCORDIA PARISH
Lake Concordia is located near Ferriday and is an
oxbow of the Mississippi River. Cypress trees line
the banks of this beautiful 1,000 acre lake. Special
management on this "trophy" lake is enforced to
promote larger sized bass. The lake is stocked with
Florida strain largemouth bass. Other species
include crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish.
A new lake record was set in March of 1998, when a
13 lb. 4 oz. largemouth bass was caught. The bass
was donated to the Louisiana Lunker Bass Program.
EAST CARROLL PARISH
Located in the northeast corner of Louisiana is Lake
Providence, an oxbow lake of the Mississippi River.
The lake is 5.5 miles long and comprises 1380 acres.
It is one of the deepest lakes in the state with an
average depth of 12 feet, with maximum depths of 37
feet.
The shoreline of the lake is studded with beautiful
cypress trees. The aesthetics of the lake make it
very popular with recreational boaters. A variety of
fishing can be enjoyed at Lake Providence.
Freshwater species include bass, bream and a large
population of catfish.
CONCORDIA PARISH
Lake St. John is a oxbow of the Mississippi River.
It is located just north of Lake Concordia and the
town of Ferriday. The lake is approximately 2,100
acres and is considered to be fairly shallow. The
lake is beautiful with stands of cypress trees
shading its banks.
The most sought after fish are largemouth bass,
crappie, bluegill and catfish. Bass can be caught
around the many piers and cypress trees using worms,
spinnerbaits, and crankbaits. There is a large
population of bluegill in the lake and the best time
to catch them is during spawning season. The best
time to catch the hybrid stripers that are stocked
in the lake is during spring and fall.
ASSUMPTION PARISH
Lying east of the Atchafalaya Floodway system levee,
near the town of Pierre Part Louisiana is a
beautiful system of waterways referred to as the
Lake Verret - Belle River area. Being in such close
proximity to the Atchafalaya Basin, this area is
very popular with Louisiana anglers. This water
system can be accessed from Bayou Grobec at Pierre
Part on the north end, Shell Beach Landing on the
west side of the lake, Little Grand Bayou from Hwy.
402 on the northeast, Attakapas Landing on the
southeast side from Napoleonville, Adams Landing via
Belle River, and areas around Stephensville.
Lake Verret is a shallow lake with stands of
beautiful cypress trees and swamps. Largemouth Bass,
bream, bluegill, and catfish are the most sought
after species. In the spring, Lake Verret
experiences incredible catches of bream. The "giant"
run on chinquapin is a great attraction for the
area. Best bait is crickets, and worms, with fly
fisherman using poppin' bugs. This beautiful area of
south Louisiana is truly a sportsman's paradise!
POINTE COUPEE PARISH
Old River is a 12 mile long, 4,000 acre oxbow lake
near the town of Morganza Louisiana. Flooding from
the nearby Mississippi River affects the water
levels on Old River and in turn affect the fishing
conditions. In the spring of 1997 many camps were
flooded when the Mississippi River levels were
extremely high. Anglers familiar with the river
stages fish certain backwater areas that are only
passable during higher water in the spring and early
summer. As the water recedes and warms, the fish
will move out into the original lake.
Old River is known for its exceptional catches of
sac-a-lait, bream, bluegill, and catfish. Although
it is not known for its numbers of largemouth bass,
it is known for big native largemouths. The average
size of largemouth bass coming out of Old River are
larger than those taken from other lakes in the
area.
Many types of fish holding structure can be found in
Old River. Brushtops sunk around piers and house
boats are good areas to fish. Use small tube jigs,
hair jigs and shiners when fishing for sac-a-lait.
Bass can be caught on artificial worms, jigs,
crankbaits, top-water and buzz baits. Old River is
gaining in popularity for its fishing and
recreational boating opportunities.
PLAQUEMINES PARISH
Great catches and large numbers of bass can be
caught at "the end of the world" an area where the
mighty Mississippi River reaches the Gulf of Mexico.
The fresh water canals and pond areas of the
Mississippi River Delta offer at certain times of
the year the greatest bass fishing experience
imaginable. A place where you can actually get tired
of catching bass. And if you get tired of freshwater
fishing you can try other areas for redfish, specs,
or flounder. With exceptional bass fishing, fabulous
inshore salt water fishing, and great offshore
fishing, Venice sets the stage for some of the
greatest
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LAPROBASS
TIP:
Most artificial lures work
best when
retrieved in
a stop-and-go manner- this gives the lure the
profile of a swimming terrestrial creature, such as
a mouse, and allows the bass to track it down
easily in low visibility conditions.