Natural lake (dammed)

Lake Bistineau

Webster, Bossier & Bienville Parishes, Louisiana

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.

Air temp Loading current temperature…

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Current air temperature at Lake Bistineau (National Weather Service) ↗

Surface area17,200 acres

Max depth—

Shoreline—

Boat motorsCheck local rules

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 LaunchPublic
Stays usable during LDWF drawdownsDirections ↗
Bossier Public LaunchPublic
Public launch, stays usable during drawdownsDirections ↗
Grice'sRamp
Launch that LDWF lists as usable during drawdownsDirections ↗
Bayou Dorcheat Public LaunchPublic
Public launch on the Dorcheat arm, usable during drawdownsDirections ↗
Lake Bistineau State ParkFee
Louisiana 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 ↗

Rules change, so confirm current limits with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries before you fish.

Bait & tackle nearby

Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.

Bass Pro ShopsNearby
100 Bass Pro Dr, Bossier City(318) 549-8800 Directions ↗

Search more bait shops near Lake Bistineau ↗

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.

View on interactive map

Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.

More Louisiana lakes

Caddo Lake Lake Fausse Pointe Lake D'Arbonne Lake Salvador Lake Des Allemands Lake Cataouatche Saline Lake Lake Claiborne All Louisiana lakes →

Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.