Most states have a single fish species as their symbol. But as any Louisiana angler will tell you, the Pelican State is not like most places. In the weedy bayou or out in the Gulf, the action is thrilling. With such a combination of freshwater and saltwater fishing, it makes sense that there are two Louisiana state fish.
Saltwater State Fish: Speckled Trout
The Speckled Trout has earned quite a few names over time. In Louisiana, Specks often go by Spotted Seatrout or Yellow Mouth. Spread across the Gulf of Mexico, these fish are some of the most popular inshore fish in the nation. It so happens that Louisiana is one of the best places to catch these guys!
You can find them in many shallow coastal areas, primarily near sandy and muddy bottoms. They’re also abundant further out to sea, as well as in freshwater lakes and rivers. The great thing about fishing Specks in Louisiana is that there isn’t really a slow season – it’s just a matter of knowing where they are.
Typically, you’ll find Specks in areas of higher salinity during the warmer months. As the waters cool down, they tend to move towards less saline waters. Most fall in the 1–6 pound range but, around here, there’s always a chance that you’ll run into a 10 lb monster. Lunkers of this size are called Gator Trout, and boy are they something to catch.
Specks might be the saltwater state fish of Louisiana, but the largest one caught here actually came from a lake. The record Speckled Trout was a 12.38 lb whopper, caught in April 1950 on Lake Hermitage. While doubts about that record still abound, the state’s second-best was an 11.99 lb lunker caught in 1999 shows there’s plenty in the way of trophy catches out there.
Freshwater State Fish: White Perch
The freshwater state fish of Louisiana has many names. Speckled Perch, Papermouth, Goggle Eye, Sack-of-Milk (Sac-au-Lait) – these are all labels for a single species, most commonly known as White Perch in Louisiana, or White Crappie elsewhere. The funny thing, though, is that White Perch aren’t actually white, at least not from the outside.
One reason why these silvery-green critters were named the state fish of Louisiana is that the early French settlers relied heavily on them for nutrition. Today, the Sac-au-Lait is one of the most popular foods of the local Cajun cuisine.
Fishing-wise, White Perch have quite a following in Louisiana. These guys live in just about any type of freshwater, especially in the northern parts of the state. You can find them in moving waters and bayous, often hiding behind brush and fallen trees. White Perch like to school, so if you find one, stand your ground and you’ll be in for a feast!
Goggle Eye typically max out at around 9 inches, weighing around a pound at that point. But the largest White Perch caught in Louisiana could probably eat one of those for breakfast. The state record was a huge 3.8 lb fish, caught in Lake Verret in 2010.
Double Trouble
If you want to experience Louisiana fishing at its purest, look no further than its two state fish. Specks and White Perch are never too far away in these parts. Better yet, they’ll keep you busy almost any time you wet the line! Best of all, you’ll have a tasty fillet or three to throw on the grill once it’s all done.
Which of the two Louisiana state fish would you prefer to catch? Any other fish you’d like to catch around here? Let us know in the comments below.
