Very few places in the United States, and maybe the world, are as unique as New Orleans. A melting pot of French, African, and American cultures, everything in this city feels like it’s one of a kind. And while Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, and beignets might first to come to mind, fishing in New Orleans is right up there with the best things to do here.
Considering iconic seafood dishes are a trademark of NOLA, it makes sense that fishing is a big deal. Freshwater, saltwater, and brackish waters surround the city on all sides, creating the perfect environment for delicious inshore species. The big game fish Louisiana is so well-known for are close by, too.
In this guide, we’ll tell you which fish are our favorites, how to catch them like a local, and where to go. Let the good times roll!
Best Fish to Catch in New Orleans
We’ll just come out and say it: every New Orleans fish is the popular one. Considering over half of the city’s surface area is made up of shallow bayous, marshes, and estuaries, as well as productive lakes and rivers, this should come as no surprise. We’ll tell you how to hook the “Big Three,” and more, below.
Largemouth Bass
Few freshwater fish are as coveted as Largemouth Bass, and it’s hard to beat fishing for them in New Orleans. The city’s lakes, reservoirs, and rivers create the perfect habitats for trophy fish. While there are plenty of fish to catch, it isn’t always easy. You’ll want to come armed with patience and the right gear.
Why? Well, first and foremost, Largemouth Bass are very intelligent. They easily remember and avoid a type of bait once it’s been offered to them. To ensure success, bring along a variety of plastic lures, crankbaits, and jigs. If you’re using live bait, small minnows or crawfish work well. Casting your rod into the wind is also a good idea, since Bass like to swim with the current.
Redfish
If you came to New Orleans in hopes of hooking the “Big Three,” you’re in luck! It’s an inshore fishing haven and that means there are Redfish in abundance. These fish are a firm favorite with anglers across the board and for good reason. Not only do they reward you with their tasty flesh, but they put up a great fight, making you feel like you’ve truly earned your dinner.
In New Orleans, your best bet for finding Redfish is heading into the areas where the Gulf’s waters meet the inland rivers and lakes. Specimens here range between 4–60+ pounds and you can hook into them year-round. Gear-wise, bring your best light tackle and slowly cast spoons, swimbaits, or top baits. Want to really fish like a local? Try sight-casting for them!
Speckled Trout
Now that you’ve caught Redfish, it’s time to move on to your next target within the Big Three – Speckled Trout! Local anglers call them “Specks” and they’re one of the most popular fish to catch in New Orleans. These tasty creatures usually come in at between 1–4 pounds, but New Orleans is as good a place as any to hook “Gators” weighing well over 5 pounds.
Speckled Trout are year-round targets, but you’ll find them in different places depending on the season. During the summer, these fish head further from the shore, into saltier waters, to spawn. During the winter, when salinity is no longer an important factor, they’ll stay closer to the banks to feed and wait out the cold.
Flounder
And the final member of our Big Three, Flounder! These fish give great fights and are absolutely delicious. In fact, Flounder are considered a staple of New Orleans’ incredible seafood scene. The best time to catch them? Definitely during fall. When the water temperatures drop, these fish stop moving and start to congregate in the weed edges and coastal banks.
Spinning gear and jigs are go-to’s for local anglers but the techniques you can use to fish for Flounder are versatile. They respond well to flies, so if you’re up for some New Orleans fly fishing, head out in search of these flatfish. Looking to try something new? Follow the lead of your Texan neighbors and give Flounder gigging a go!
Sheepshead
Rounding off our inshore all-stars list are Sheepshead. Alongside being fun to catch, another characteristic they share with the species we mentioned above is delicious flesh. It’s starting to become clear why New Orleans is known worldwide for it’s incredible seafood, isn’t it?
If you came to hook a trophy fish, you may very well be going after Sheepshead. The current record-holder was caught in New Orleans’ very own Lake Pontchartrain, coming in at over 20 pounds. These fish love structure, so you’ll find them near docks or anywhere where there are barnacles. They don’t bite hard, so keep your bait slow-moving and be on the lookout for even the slightest movement.
And a Whole Lot More!
New Orleans really has a lot going for it when it comes to inshore fishing. In addition to the fish you’ve read about thus far, you’ll also come across Bluegill, White Bass, Black Drum, and Tripletail. Of course, no Louisiana fishing list would be complete without Catfish. You’ll be happy to know that New Orleans is one of the most productive places to catch them.
While the focus is primarily on the inshore waters, towns with Gulf access are 1–2 hours away. Louisiana is one of the best places in the world to hook into Yellowfin Tuna, so big game anglers may find the drive to be worth it. Once you’re on the water, you’ll need to travel another 30–100 miles to reach productive grounds, so bear that in mind when planning your trip.
How to Go Fishing in New Orleans
New Orleans is a lively city that’s full of options, and that sentiment extends to the ways you can get out on the water. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most popular ways to go fishing in New Orleans.
Charter Boat Fishing
There’s no doubt that hopping aboard a New Orleans fishing charter gives you the most freedom. It’s the easiest way to get your hands on the Big Three, since you’ll be able to move around quickly to explore different depths and habitats. Looking to take advantage of Louisiana’s liberal bag limits? A trip aboard a New Orleans fishing charter boat is a surefire way to stock the cooler.
Best of all, you’ll have a local and experienced captain with you on board. They’ll take care of all the technical details, like your fishing gear and bait or lures, while providing valuable guidance and sharing their tips and tricks.
Party Boat Fishing
Partying is synonymous with New Orleans, so it should come as no surprise that shared charters are a popular way of getting out on the water. You’ll have some of the perks of a private fishing charter, like an experienced captain and fishing gear, along with fellow anglers to share the experience with.
You won’t have as much one-on-one attention from your captain so knowing the basics, like how to hook your own bait, will come in handy. After everyone’s successfully landed a few fish, you can head back to shore for a famous New Orleans fish bowl with your new friends!
Pier Fishing
New Orleans truly is a fisherman’s paradise. It’s so good, in fact, that a boat isn’t always necessary for seeing action. Bass, Catfish, Bluegill, and Perch are just some of the fish you can expect to hook into from local piers – just beware of Gators!
Fishing in New Orleans from a pier frequently results in brag-worthy catches. Pier anglers know that this happens in large part thanks to lost bait tempting hungry fish to come closer to structure. Since you’ll be fishing on your own, make sure to make note of the tides and weather conditions. These will play a big factor in what you can catch and when.
Shore Fishing
When the conditions are right, nothing beats finding a spot along the bank and casting a line. Much of New Orleans waters are shallow and brackish, meaning the fish come up right up to the banks. To make things easier, set up where the water is clearest and do some sight casting. This is a favorite technique among locals hoping to score Redfish.
If the conditions are windy, or you’re visiting during winter, head to marshy areas. Fish come right up the weed edges to feed and seek shelter from rougher, cold waters. You might have to put in some time to find a hot spot, but the rewards are more than worth it.
New Orleans Fishing Spots
New Orleans fishing spots are numerous. You can cast a line just about anywhere. Freshwater, saltwater, brackish water – you name it. To help you narrow down places to fish in New Orleans, we’ve compiled a list of the best fishing corners in New Orleans.
- Lake Pontchartrain: This 40-mile-wide estuary is New Orleans’ best-known fishing spot. Whether you’re hopping on a charter boat, casting from the banks, or from the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, you can expect to hook the Big Three, as well as the biggest Sheepshead in the state.
- Lake Cataouatche: It’s the best place to cast for Largemouth Bass in New Orleans, and arguably, all of Louisiana. So much so, that it has hosted a Bassmaster Classic tournament. Other fish typically caught here include Redfish and Blue Catfish.
- South Pass: You’ll need to head about 100 miles south of the city to reach this productive spot at the entrance to the Gulf, but it’s one of the best starting points for world-class game fishing.
- Delacroix Island: Located southeast of New Orleans proper, Delacroix Island is a great spot for both beginners and experienced anglers. The shallow, marshy environment creates excellent conditions for hooking Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder, and Catfish.
- New Orleans City Park: This 1,300-acre public park has been around since the 19th century. Head to the Marconi Fishing Pier to cast for Bass, Catfish, and Perch. Not having much luck? The Harrison Canal is home to Bluegill and big Largemouth Bass.
When to Go Fishing in New Orleans
New Orleans fishing is always good, but tournament season gives it a special flair. This list of New Orleans fishing tournaments will hopefully get you excited about dusting off your best rods. Urban anglers won’t want to miss out on the annual Big Bass Fishing Rodeo and Fishtival, taking place at City Park. This is a bank-fishing-only event where you’ll battle it out for a freshwater giant.
Keep your eyes peeled for any Bassmaster Classic announcements, too. This prestigious class of tournaments has visited New Orleans more than once and chances are, it’ll be back. For you big game anglers, the New Orleans Big Game Fishing Club organizes a whole host of tournaments for Billfish and more.
New Orleans Fishing Regulations
Now that you know what to catch, how, and where, it’s time to tackle the less exciting, but equally important, elements of a New Orleans fishing trip. Namely, fishing licences, seasonality, and bagging limits. We’ll also highlight a couple of tournaments that take place around the city for those of you looking to show off your skills.
| Species | Open Season | Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Speckled Trout | Year Round | 15 per day |
| Largemouth Bass | Year Round | 10 per day |
| Redfish | Year Round | 4 per day |
| Flounder | Dec 1 – Oct 15/td> | 10 per day |
If you’re over the age of 16, you’ll need to purchase a fishing license. This applies to anglers casting off of a charter boat, from a pier, or from the shore. Bear in mind that if you’re fishing south of Louisana’s “saltwater line” you’ll need to purchase a Saltwater License, alongside a Basic Fishing License. For more detailed information on obtaining fishing licenses in Louisiana, check out our extensive guide.
One of the perks of fishing in Louisiana is the state’s liberal bag limits. We’ve highlighted specifics for a few of the area’s most popular catches in the infographic above. Fishing is an activity you can partake in year-round and most fish aren’t subject to closed seasons. This can always change, however, so be sure to check the LWF for any updates before heading out.
New Orleans Fishing: It’s One of a Kind
Much like everything else this city has to offer, fishing in New Orleans is special. You get the whole package here. Explore diverse fishing grounds, try out new techniques, and finally, head back to shore and have your catch prepared Creole style. What more can we say? It lives up to the hype!
Have you been to New Orleans? Which fishing areas did you explore? Let us know in the comments. We love to hear from you!
