For Anglers, Great Time To Be Alive in Louisiana

In sitting and thinking of what I love so much about living in Louisiana, high on my list is the distinct season changes we have here. One of my daughters lived in Hawaii for a few years and although I enjoyed wearing tee shirt, shorts and flip-flops when visiting there in January, I’d soon tire of Hawaii’s perpetual summer.

I have friends in New England who live for summer – all three weeks of it. They’re encased in ice and snow and sub-zero temperatures much of the year, and I’d hate living like that.

Louisiana has it all. Every ten years or so, we get to see snow falling and on those rare occasions when it covers the ground, the whole area briefly takes leave of its sanity as we romp and play and make leaf-flecked snowmen. Schools dismiss and overpasses close as old guys slip-slide their Fords and Chevys into ditches and power poles.

At the opposite end of the spectrum are our summers. Folks not native to our part of the country suffocate in the humidity which comes close to matching the triple digit temperatures. We who live here, though, know how to deal with it; we sit under air conditioning, sip iced tea and keep our eyes on the calendar, knowing that the refreshing chill of October is not that far away.

Springtime in Louisiana, though, is a special reward all its own. Granted, it’s a roller coaster ride for much of the season. We’re lulled by the azaleas and dogwoods and tender green grass into thinking spring is here to stay. Then the weatherman throws us a sucker punch and sends a spring cold snap. We fret over the peaches – will they be able to withstand a frost so late in the year? When will these storms and winds ever stop?

But they do and we get to enjoy a sweet special few weeks when we can sit on the porch late afternoons without a wrap or air conditioning. For the angler, this is an ideal time to be on the water somewhere nearby to fish in comfort with the knowledge there’ll be a fish fry tonight.

What’s your pleasure? Are you interested in catching bass? What about crappie? Do bluegills and chinquapins tickle your fancy? How about a good mess of freshly caught catfish? This time of year in our neck of the woods, you can do it all.

Bass fishermen who missed out on the spring spawn where big sway-bellied bass deposited their eggs often in water barely deep enough to cover their dorsal fins know where the fish are headed after leaving the shallows. They’ll be fishing deep water points at daybreak and watching for schools of shad to dimple the surface, knowing that bass could be exploding on the hapless school at any moment.

Crappie fishermen will be looking around submerged brush in deep water for their quarry. Innovative anglers outfit their boats with multiple poles, each set at different depths and offering a shiner or jig of a different color and/or weight.

Catfishermen armed with no more than a little bucket of worms and a big bucket to sit on will be lining the shores along Lake D’Arbonne knowing that this lake’s teeming population of eating-sized channel catfish are there for the taking.

It is the bream fishermen, however, who knows this time of year was made for him. Bluegills and chinquapins are on the beds on every lake and pond across our area and while they’re as fun to catch as they are tasty on the dinner table, they’re also one of the easiest to catch. Toss a cricket or red wiggler into a bream bed along the shore and it’s a pitch ‘til you win proposition.

It’s springtime in Louisiana. Go for it….before the next storm blows through.

FISHING REPORT

CANEY LAKE – Crappie fishing has improved in the back of the creeks as they prepare for the spawn. Shiners and jigs are bringing some in. Bass are moving to the shallows and soft plastics and crank baits are starting to pick up fish. Chinquapins are just now starting the bite cold worms. No report on catfish. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
BUSSEY BRAKE – The bass have moved up shallow around the windrows with some double digit fish reported on soft plastics and spinners. One report of someone catching 5 fish that weighed 54 lbs. Crappie are starting to move toward the banks and hitting shiners and jigs. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – The river is high and rising. No fishing report. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE –Crappie have moved to the banks and have been good on shiners and jigs. Bass are on the shallow flats and hitting spinners and soft plastics. Bream are just beginning to hit crickets and worms and catfish are biting. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie fishing has improved as the fish are moving to the shallows in back of the creeks and hitting shiners and jigs. Males are on the beds with big females hanging back just a bit. Bass are also moving in and are being caught on Bandit crank baits and soft plastics. Bream are beginning to respond to crickets and worms in shallow water. No report on catfish or stripers. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE POVERTY POINT – Crappie fishing is starting to improve as the fish begin their move to the shallows to spawn. Catfishing is good and a few bream are starting to show up. For information, contact the marina at 318/878-0101.
LAKE YUCATAN – Water is on a slow rise. Lots of catfish caught on noodles and trotlines. No report on crappie or bass. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.