Common Freshwater Sportfish of Louisiana
Northern Largemouth Bass
Size range: Northerns - up to 12 pounds, 1 to 6 lbs. typical.
(Micropterus salmoide floridanus) Florida Largemouth Bass
Size range: Florida's- up to 21 pounds
Spawning activity begins in the spring as water temperatures reach and maintain 62-65 F. March and April are the peak spawning months for Louisiana.
Oxbow lakes along the Mississippi River, as well as the Atchafalaya Basin have been stocked with Florida largemouths. Successful restocking of the Atchafalaya Basin has resulted in reports of larger and better catches of largemouth bass. The largemouth bass is the most sought after freshwater fish of the sport fisherman in Louisiana and can be found throughout the state.
Tips
Due to its aggressive behavior, largemouth bass will strike most any artificial bait that emulates it natural food. Use artificial lures including crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerk baits, topwater, jigs, plastic worms, soft plastic lures, earthworms, minnows, leeches and frogs. Largemouth bass are structure oriented, and will generally stay near any type of structured habitat. Best fishing early mornings or late evenings.
Smallmouth Bass
(Micropterus punctulatus)Spotted Bass
Smallmouthsize range: up to 5 lbs.
The smallmouth or spotted bass is similar to that of the largemouth bass, however it does not grow as large, and its upper jaw does not extend past the rear of the eye. Spotted bass are found mostly in cool flowing streams and deep reservoirs, though many are found in areas such as the Atchafalaya Basin. They spawn when temperatures reach 60-70F.
Tips
Smallmouths are known to strike fiercely and when caught will attempt to throw the bait. It's strength and stamina make it a prized game fish. They like deep water and the best areas to fish or on tapering points where they feed and spawn, flats, ledges and breaklines near creek and river channels. Use natural crawfish, or crawfish imitator lures such as crankbaits, leadhead jigs, spinnerbaits, and worms fished near the bottom.
Bluegill
(Lepomis macrochirus) Bluegill
Bream, Sunfish
Size range: up to 1 1/4 lbs.
The Bluegill is a prolific fish and is found literally everywhere in Louisiana waters. They are a favored prey of predatory fish such as bass. Because of this the Bluegill will remain near protective cover, such as dense brush, grasses, standing and submerged timber. Bluegills spawn when water temperatures reach 78 to 80 degrees. They will reach 8 to 10 inches during their second year if food and space is plentiful. An over abundance of bluegill in a waterbody will affect their rate of growth and will reduce or prevent successful spawning.
Tips
Bluegills congregate around vegetation and sunken trees, and are most often found in shallow areas, although some are found in deep ponds and lakes. They prefer small insects and bait should imitate their food source. Use worms, crickets, small jigs, spinners and poppers around structure.
Redear Sunfish
(Lepomis microlopus)Redear Sunfish
Chinquapin, Shellcracker
Size range: up to 1 1/2 lbs.
Characterized by red edge on gillcover (male) and orange (female). This fish is very similar to the bluegill except the redear is not as numerous and spawns in deeper water. They eat snails and clams, insect larvae, small crustaceans and insects.
Tips
Redears congregate around vegetation and sunken trees. Use live bait, worms, crickets, grubs and insect larvae.
White Crappie
(Pomoxis annularis)White Crappie
Sac-a-lait, White Perch, Calico Bass
Size range: up to 4 lbs., usually less than 2lbs.
White Crappie are found in deep water around stump rows, drop-offs and artificial cover. In early spring they will move from deep water to shallower water and find and stay in protective cover. Man-made brush piles set at spawning depth will hold many crappie.
Tips
Fish natural and man-made brush piles with light tackle using shiners, crickets and worms. Small soft tube jigs in various colors work well.
Black Crappie
(Pomoxis nigromaculatus)Black Crappie
Sac-a-lait, White Perch, Calico Bass
Size range: up to 4 lbs. usually less than 2 lbs.
Black Crappie are found in deep water around stump rows, drop-offs and artificial cover. They are very similar to the white crappie in that they also prefer to stay in the protective cover of brush piles. They spawn when the water temperature reaches 58 degrees.
Tips
Fish for Black Crappie in brush, logs, weeds using shiners, crickets, worms. Small soft tube jigs in various colors work well , small streamer flies.
White Bass
(Morone chrysops) White Bass
Barfish
Size range: up to 4 pounds
Spawning activity begins in the spring in open waters. White bass school and feed on shad in open areas of lakes and rivers. A member of the temperate bass family they feed primarily on shad and other baitfish. They can be found around gravel and sandy areas of rivers and lakes. When these fish are feeding in schools they can be very fun to catch. They are fish eaters and or an asset for controlling forage fish populations.
Tips
Live bait include shad, minnows, big shiners. Can be caught on any artificial lure resembling their normal forage in size and action. Trolling plugs, crankbaits are effective.
Striped Bass
(Morone saxatilis) Striped Bass
Striper, Rock Bass
Size range: up to 60 pounds, most 5 to 25 lbs.
Spawning activity begins in the spring in open waters. Striped Bass school and feed on shad in open areas of lakes and rivers. A member of the temperate bass family they feed primarily on shad and other baitfish. They are fish eaters and are an asset for controlling forage fish populations. Striped bass are routinely stocked in Toledo Bend Reservoir.
The hybrid striped bass is a cross between the striped bass and the white bass and can reach up to to twelve and fifteen pounds in five years. They have also been placed in many of Louisiana's lakes and rivers.
Tips
Live bait include large shad, minnows, big shiners. Can be caught on any artificial lure resembling their normal forage in size and action. Look for schools feeding near the surface.
Catfish
(Pylocicitis olivaris) Flathead Catfish
up to 100lbs., 15 to 30lbs. common
(Ictalurus furcatus)Blue
largest in U.S.up to 150lbs., 1 to 20lbs. typical, 50lb.common
(Ictalurus punctatus)Channel
up to 50lbs, 1 to 10lbs. typical
Catfish spawn in sheltered places such as hollow logs, beneath undercut banks and in holes. The best time to catch these fish are at dusk or early evening when they are the most active. Catfish are taken on trotlines, jug lines, limb lines, and rod and reel.
Tips
Bait includes cut baits, worms, liver, blood and stink baits, doughballs.