Louisiana Catfish Fishing Charters

Louisiana Catfish Fishing Charters

Top Louisiana Catfish Fishing Destinations

Best Catfish Fishing Charters in Louisiana

Catfish Fishing in Louisiana

Catfish
  • Size 2 to 40lbs
  • Food Value Good
  • Game Qualities Average
  • Habitats River, Lake, Flats, Backcountry

(Ictalurus punctatus/furcatus; Pylodictis olivaris; Ameiurus catus)

Planning a fishing vacation to the Gulf of Mexico? Then it’s likely you already know about the awesome Louisiana Catfish that are available there year-round. The main three species of Catfish that call Louisiana home are the Channel, Blue, and Flathead Catfish. These tasty fish can be found in lakes, streams, and rivers throughout LA. There are a variety of techniques to catch them at multitude locations, making them a firm favorite down south.

Where to Go

You can’t swing a cat(fish) without finding a place to catch one of these critters in local waters. Running through Louisiana are some prolific rivers, such as the Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers. You might not get all three species in each one, but you’re likely to get one or two.

Atchafalaya Basin

West of Baton Rouge is the Atchafalaya Basin, 596,000 acres of land full to the brim with rivers, bayous, canals, lakes, and channels – any angler’s paradise! The best action happens around May or June, after the springtime flooding. The Catfish action will be non-stop in those first eight weeks. Grab a guide – you’ll need a hand in navigating these waters.

Toledo Bend State Park

In Toledo Bend State Park, there’s a huge lake which covers a whopping 196,000 acres! Year-round you can target a host of species, including Catfish. You can also target Crappie, White Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Gar, and more here.

Lake Claiborne

In the spring, head over to Lake Claiborne near Homer. There are plenty of coves to explore in this 6,000-acre body of water, with good-sized Catfish in every hidey-hole.

Ouachita River

One of the most reliable spots for Catfish fishing is the Ouachita River. Starting in the north in Arkansas, this river winds its way down to Jonesville in the center of LA. This beautiful waterway runs parallel to the Red River and is a top fishery for Catfish. Even with fluctuating water levels, due to the sheer length of the river, there’s always somewhere appropriate for the local Catfish to call home.

Lake Maurepas

Although nearby Lake Pontchartrain may capture anglers’ attention for Speckled Trout and Redfish, Lake Maurepas is an ace fishing hole for Catfish that should not be overlooked! You can launch from Pete's Landing Boat Launch and the Port Manchac boat ramp off Highway 15 – excellent Catfish fishing awaits in these 5,800 acres of water.

How to Fish

  • Catfish have a strong sense of smell, which they utilize when looking for food. They love smelly bait! Home concoctions can work well, or stock up on bait fish, cold worms, or nightcrawlers.

  • A 12 lb line won’t let you down. Pair with a medium to heavy action rod.

  • Once caught, there are many options on how to cook your catch. Channel Catfish is one of the tastier of the Catfish species. It’s also low in mercury, making it a healthy option, too. Blue Catfish is also good eating.

  • Noodling is popular in the south – will you dare put your fingers in the Catfish’s mouth and wrestle with it?

When to Go

It’s best to head over in late winter. The action stays hot right up to summer.

Louisiana Catfish should be ticked off your bucket list as soon as possible. These hard-fighting and tasty fish can be found all around the state – come on down and have a battle with them today!

Louisiana Catfish Fishing Seasons

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Seasonality

Catfish fishing in Louisiana varies moderately throughout the year. High season is June to September. Low season is January to March and November to December. There is no closed season.
Louisiana
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Based on 28,446 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Catfish Fishing in Louisiana

Get a local guide like Rich at Blue Line Charters to take you out and put you on fish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Get a local guide like Rich at Blue Line Charters to take you out and put you on fish.
Blue Line Charter Service
Blue Line Charter Service
When fishing in March be prepared for cooler weather than reported in the weather app.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
When fishing in March be prepared for cooler weather than reported in the weather app.
Bayou Bowfishing Charters
Bayou Bowfishing Charters
Book with Speck dat Charters! Captain Brad will put you in the fish and take care of you!!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book with Speck dat Charters! Captain Brad will put you in the fish and take care of you!!!
Speck Dat Charters LLC
Speck Dat Charters LLC
Venice is not your typical family tourist stop. Lodging and food options are minimal. One of my favorite places because of this but, prepare accordingly.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Venice is not your typical family tourist stop. Lodging and food options are minimal. One of my favorite places because of this but, prepare accordingly.
Louisiana Lagniappe Charters
Louisiana Lagniappe Charters
Don't have expectations of variety of fish, but we caught great fighting fish!
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Don't have expectations of variety of fish, but we caught great fighting fish!
Captain Dale's Guide Service
Captain Dale's Guide Service
It used to be a great time to fish but itโ€™s not like it used to be. If I was a first time angler Iโ€™d wait until October to fish for tuna behind the shrimp boats.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
It used to be a great time to fish but itโ€™s not like it used to be. If I was a first time angler Iโ€™d wait until October to fish for tuna behind the shrimp boats.
Salty Hooker SportFishing
Salty Hooker SportFishing
Bring warm clothes if the temperatures are below 50. The wind from the boat ride made it a cold ride.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring warm clothes if the temperatures are below 50. The wind from the boat ride made it a cold ride.
Reel Cajun Fishing
Reel Cajun Fishing
October/November is a better time if you're looking for specs and good temperatures.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
October/November is a better time if you're looking for specs and good temperatures.
Speck Dat Charters LLC
Speck Dat Charters LLC
It was cold and windy with no insects and the overcast sky made it very comfortable. By far a great time to go fishing.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It was cold and windy with no insects and the overcast sky made it very comfortable. By far a great time to go fishing.
Drum & Co. Fishing
Drum & Co. Fishing Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Just remember it's called fishing and not catching. A great Captain can put you on fish, share their knowledge and give you a great experience.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Just remember it's called fishing and not catching. A great Captain can put you on fish, share their knowledge and give you a great experience.
Getโ€™n Hooked Inshore Adventures
Getโ€™n Hooked Inshore Adventures
We caught 60 blue catfish! Plus specks , black drum , sheepshead and redfish!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We caught 60 blue catfish! Plus specks , black drum , sheepshead and redfish!
Getโ€™n Hooked Inshore Adventures
Getโ€™n Hooked Inshore Adventures
It rained hard the night before our trip, so the water was a bit more murky than our captain expected. But he was still able to put us on a lot of fish. The wind was a bit rough, so we couldn't go offshore like we originally wanted, but inshore was a hit. The ride home across the bay was a little bumpy but my boys loved the adventure and water in their faces.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It rained hard the night before our trip, so the water was a bit more murky than our captain expected. But he was still able to put us on a lot of fish. The wind was a bit rough, so we couldn't go offshore like we originally wanted, but inshore was a hit. The ride home across the bay was a little bumpy but my boys loved the adventure and water in their faces.
Southern Angler Fishing Charters
Southern Angler Fishing Charters
Bring bug spray. The mosquitos swarm for about 30 minutes at dusk. Other than that. Book with Captain Clinton deArmas. He is knowledgeable and great at communicating exactly how to get the fish in the boat. You'll have a great time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Bring bug spray. The mosquitos swarm for about 30 minutes at dusk. Other than that. Book with Captain Clinton deArmas. He is knowledgeable and great at communicating exactly how to get the fish in the boat. You'll have a great time.
Getโ€™n Hooked Inshore Adventures
Getโ€™n Hooked Inshore Adventures
So knowledgeable of fishing and patient! He could teach anyone how to fish Iโ€™m sure of it!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
So knowledgeable of fishing and patient! He could teach anyone how to fish Iโ€™m sure of it!
Getโ€™n Hooked Inshore Adventures
Getโ€™n Hooked Inshore Adventures
A guided trip really clues you in on what, where and how to fish. It all but guarantees fishing success.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
A guided trip really clues you in on what, where and how to fish. It all but guarantees fishing success.
Southern Angler Fishing Charters
Southern Angler Fishing Charters
Talk to your guide ahead of time about the weather and what clothing to bring. Winter months may take several lays
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Talk to your guide ahead of time about the weather and what clothing to bring. Winter months may take several lays
Getโ€™n Hooked Inshore Adventures
Getโ€™n Hooked Inshore Adventures
Call Captain Brad Dโ€™ Alphonso now! He books dates like 3-4 months in advance. He has patience the only quality that makes an excellent fisherman. Not all Captains are patient.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Call Captain Brad Dโ€™ Alphonso now! He books dates like 3-4 months in advance. He has patience the only quality that makes an excellent fisherman. Not all Captains are patient.
Speck Dat Charters LLC
Speck Dat Charters LLC
Donโ€™t give up sometimes it takes time to find them but when your captain does itโ€™s awesome
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Donโ€™t give up sometimes it takes time to find them but when your captain does itโ€™s awesome
Reel Cajun Fishing
Reel Cajun Fishing
Full moon fishing 36 hours out from a major cold front and these guys put us on the fish for hours straight.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Full moon fishing 36 hours out from a major cold front and these guys put us on the fish for hours straight.
Gills & Bills Guide Service
Gills & Bills Guide Service
I recommend this trip to anybody that likes to fish. I'm 56 years old. This is the best trip I've had in my whole life can't wait to do it again.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I recommend this trip to anybody that likes to fish. I'm 56 years old. This is the best trip I've had in my whole life can't wait to do it again.
Southern Angler Fishing Charters
Southern Angler Fishing Charters New Orleans, LA