Fishing and Hunting, Louisiana Style
Heed the call of the wild and head to these hunting and fishing spots in Sportsman’s Paradise.
If you want to know why Louisiana cuisine is so famous, look at where it comes from.
Up north and west, you’ll find the Red River and Toledo Bend Reservoir, two of Louisiana’s top spots for fishing bass, trout and white perch (also known as sac-a-lait or crappie).
Learn more about fishing in Louisiana.
In east and central Louisiana, you’ll find farmland where soul food fixin’s are grown. Here, duck hunting is a way of life, and dense forests hide deer that — for some lucky hunters — end up becoming venison for the gumbo pot or grill.
And then there are the south Louisiana waterways, teeming with the fresh fish and seafood you’ll find in famous Cajun and Creole restaurants. Crawfish, redfish, snapper: The list is as long as our waters are deep.
Saltwater Fishing: Reel Good Times on the Gulf
Fishermen: Whether they’re cane pole-toting kids, crabbers or pro anglers, their trade has given south Louisiana its well-earned reputation as a fishing utopia. Explore this paradise with outfitters like Pelican State Fishing Charters in the charming fishing village of Jean Lafitte, or with Calmwater Charters in Grand Isle.
If you prefer to go alone, consider dropping a line at the Cameron Parish beaches near Lake Charles — awesome spots for crabbing and shell collecting as well.
Freshwater Fishing: Inland Anglers’ Dream Destinations
Places such as the Ouachita River near Monroe, Lake Martin near Breaux Bridge, Caddo Lake on the outskirts of Shreveport and Cane River Lake near Natchitoches have gained massive followings from out-of-staters looking to land The Big One.
The Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, which spans 14 parishes, serves just about every whim an outdoorsman could have. Find places to fish, paddle, bird watch, camp and hunt in this vast multi-parish area that’s been termed “America’s Foreign Country.”
Hunting Adventures: Stalk This Way
Take aim at areas such as the Mississippi Flyway (a major bird migration route that follows the Mississippi River) near Lake Charles. The Flyway is rich in waterfowl, harboring birds on their way to nesting grounds as far away as South America. Grosse Savanne Lodge is one of the top bird hunting and fishing lodges in the state.
Other favorite hunting lodges are spread throughout the state, including Honey Brake and Wild Hog Ridge Hunting Club, Covey Rise Hunting Lodge in the Northshore town of Husser, and, in Melville, Long River Lodge. Louisiana is even home to the Duck Capital of America — Gueydan —a top spot for hunters in South Louisiana and home to the massively popular Gueydan Duck Festival.
Other Outdoor Fun: Looking Beyond Field and Stream
Speaking of ducks, no outdoorsman’s visit to Louisiana would be complete without a stop by Duck Commander in West Monroe, made famous by the blockbuster reality show Duck Dynasty.
Other adventures include off-road vehicle riding at Muddy Bottoms ATV in Sarepta and black bear spotting at Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area in Concordia Parish.
