Louisiana Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Louisiana.
Lake Bistineau
Caddo Lake
Lake D'Arbonne
Lake Maurepas
Toledo Bend Reservoir
More Louisiana lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Caddo LakeCaddo Parish · 25,400 acres
Caddo Lake
A shallow cypress swamp lake on the Louisiana and Texas line northwest of Shreveport, with a spillway and dam controlling the level. It is known for largemouth bass and crappie fishing among cypress trees, bayous and boat lanes.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
The most-sought fish. Work cypress trees, lily pads and grass edges with frogs, spinnerbaits and soft plastics.
Crappie
Deeper channels in 12 to 16 ft in winter and summer; cypress trees in shallow water when the water nears 60 degrees in spring.
Blue Catfish
Blues, channels and flatheads are taken on trotlines and limb lines, and around the deeper water near the dam.
White Bass
Plentiful. Look for schools in the lower lake and channels.
Bluegill
Common around shallow wood and pads. Crickets and worms under a cork.
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Earl G. Williamson Park RampPublicCaddo Parish public launch in Oil City, central lakeDirections ↗
- Mooringsport RampPublicPublic launch on the lower lake near the damDirections ↗
- Drift-In LandingFeePrivate launch near the dam in Mooringsport. FeeDirections ↗
- Shady AcresFeePrivate launch on the central lake. FeeDirections ↗
- Caddo Lake State ParkPublicTexas state park ramp and fishing pier on Big Cypress BayouDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Caddo Lake are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Caddo Lake ↗Local tips
- Giant salvinia can choke coves and limit access, especially in fall; check conditions before launching.
- Most of the lake is under 15 ft with many stumps; stay in marked boat lanes unless you know the water.
- A Louisiana or Texas fishing license is honored on both sides of the lake; check each state's rules.
Lake BistineauWebster, Bossier & Bienville Parishes · 17,200 acres
Lake Bistineau
A long cypress swamp lake in northwest Louisiana, about a half hour east of Shreveport near Doyline. It is known for Florida-strain largemouth bass among the cypress trees and slough channels, plus crappie and bream.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Largemouth Bass
Fish cypress trees, old slough channels and channel ledges. LDWF stocks Florida-strain bass and tournament weights often top 20 pounds.
Crappie
Work jigs and minnows around cypress trees and brush along the old channels, especially in late winter and spring.
Bluegill
Bream bed in shallow flats near cypress in late spring and summer. Crickets and worms work well.
Channel Catfish
Fish cut bait or worms along the deeper channels and on the bottom near the dam end.
Boat launches
5 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Port of Bistineau LaunchPublicStays usable during LDWF drawdownsDirections ↗
- Bossier Public LaunchPublicPublic launch, stays usable during drawdownsDirections ↗
- Grice'sRampLaunch that LDWF lists as usable during drawdownsDirections ↗
- Bayou Dorcheat Public LaunchPublicPublic launch on the Dorcheat arm, usable during drawdownsDirections ↗
- Lake Bistineau State ParkFeeLouisiana state park near Doyline with camping, trails and lake access. Entry feeDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Minimum size and daily limit for each species in Lake Bistineau are published by the state. Look up the current size and creel limits for this lake directly: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Bass Pro ShopsNearby100 Bass Pro Dr, Bossier City(318) 549-8800Directions ↗
Local tips
- LDWF draws the lake down most late summers to fight giant salvinia, up to 8 feet below pool from mid August until about the end of November.
- During drawdowns only a few launches stay usable and boat lanes lose their normal clearance over stumps, so run slowly.
- Watch for floating booms placed to trap salvinia and cross them only at marked spots.
Lake D'ArbonneUnion Parish · 15,250 acres
Lake D'Arbonne
Lake D'Arbonne is a stump-filled lake next to Farmerville in north Louisiana, with a state park on its shore. It is best known for crappie, along with bass, catfish and bream.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Crappie
In winter, fish hair jigs 1 to 2 feet above stumps on channel edges.
Largemouth Bass
Weeds, docks and wood in the shallows.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Boat launches
6 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Lake D'Arbonne State Park LandingFeeLaunch inside Lake D'Arbonne State Park, Farmerville; launch feeDirections ↗
- Highway 2 East LandingFeePublic landing at the Hwy 2 crossing; lake launch fee appliesDirections ↗
- Highway 33 North LandingFeePublic landing at the Hwy 33 crossing; lake launch fee appliesDirections ↗
- Terral Island LandingFeePublic landing on the lake; lake launch fee appliesDirections ↗
- Gills Ferry Boat LaunchFeePublic launch on the lake; lake launch fee appliesDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries or the lake manager's website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Crappie No more than 7 may exceed 12 in; 50 on water, 100 off water | See Louisiana rules book ↗ | 50 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Cooter's Live Bait & TackleNearby701 Sterlington Hwy, Farmerville, LA(318) 368-9669Directions ↗
- S&R Custom Crappie BaitsNearby164 Blair Rd, Farmerville, LADirections ↗
Local tips
- The Highway 15 and Highway 2 bridges hold crappie through the winter.
- You may keep 50 crappie a day, but only 7 over 12 inches.
- Thousands of stumps sit just under the surface, so stay in marked boat runs, especially during drawdowns.
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