North Louisiana Home to Seven of Top Ten Lakes
Several websites recently have posted something of interest to anglers, especially those who live north of Alexandria. In other words, north Louisiana. Fishmasters, an outdoor resource site, has done research and recently posted a listing of their choice for the top fishing lakes in Louisiana.
North Louisiana can claim bragging rights because of the listing of the top ten lakes in the state, seven are right here in north Louisiana.
The number one lake, Toledo Bend reservoir, comes as no surprise. This 186,000 acre behemoth rests on the Texas-Louisiana state line and is regularly ranked among the top bass fishing lakes in the nation.
Bass are not the only species popular with anglers. Some of the state’s best crappie fishing takes place here as there are several guide services on the lake that target crappie in particular. I have had the thrill of catching crappie on Toledo Bend as well as filling ice chests with big bluegills.
Sitting in the runner-up spot is Caney Lake in Jackson Parish. A check of the big bass records in the state reveals that seven of the top ten bass caught in Louisiana were caught in Caney Lake topped by the state record 15.97 pounder, a bass caught by Greg Wiggins, a record that has stood since 1994. Interestingly, all seven Caney bass except one tipped the scales weighing at least 15 pounds.
Caney like many lakes that have been around awhile, while no longer challenging the state record, today produces plenty of bass weighing ten pounds or better.
The number three lake on the Fishmaster list is another quite popular local lake, Lake D’Arbonne located near Farmerville. This 15,250 acre lake not only produces plenty of bragging sized bass but crappie, bream and some of the state’s best channel catfishing can be found here.
Lake number four, Caddo Lake, like Toledo Bend, staddles the Texas state line in northwest Louisiana. This old lake with its moss-draped cypresses features over 70 species of freshwater fish, including some bass capable of challenging the state record.
Numbers five and six belong to south Louisiana, Lake Ponchartain and Lake Verret while north Louisiana lays claim to number seven, Lake Claiborne near Homer in north-central Louisiana.
I have a personal love affair with this lake because I was living in Homer when the lake filled for the first time some half a century ago. I purchased a lot on the Beaver Creek arm of the lake and spent many hours after work and on weekends working a Tiny Torpedo around the green willows and catching bass after bass.
Lake number nine is Black Bayou Lake near Monroe which sits on a 2000 acre national refuge that features a beautiful cypress-tupelo swamp with top notch fishing for bass, crappie and bream.
Rounding out the top ten is Lake Bruin, a 3,000 acre oxbow lake near St. Joseph in northeast Louisiana which, like most oxbow lakes, can produce some eye-popping catches of fish.
There you have it; a look at the top fishing lakes in Louisiana and the fact that seven of these sit right here in our part of the country can’t help but give us bragging rights.
FISHING REPORT
CANEY LAKE – Bass have moved to deep drops and channels. Soft plastics and cranks baits are working best. Crappie are around the deeper tops and are hitting jigs and shiners. Bream are on shallow beds and hitting small spinners, crickets and worms. 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 – Crappie are around the brush hitting shiner or jigs. Bass are best flipping the trees with soft plastics. Bream are still on the shallow beds and hitting crickets and worms. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
OUACHITA RIVER – Water level is rising because of rains which means there is current and this should not only improve fishing but allow access to back waters. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE D’ARBONNE – Bass are on secondary points and hitting crank baits, spinners and soft plastics. Crappie are in the channel and channel edges and hitting jigs and shiners. The bream are on the beds and biting crickets and small spinners. Lots of catfish are being caught on red wigglers and night crawlers just off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.
LAKE CLAIBORNE – Crappie are around deep brush and jigs and shiners picking up some. Bass are in deeper water around around the drop offs. Soft plastics and crank baits are picking up some. Night fishing is starting to pick up. Bream are on the shallow beds and hitting worms and crickets. Stripers should be starting to school soon. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.
LAKE YUCATAN – The water is rising and should crest around June 2. Then look for a slow fall. Catfish are being caught on trotlines and buffalo caught in nets. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.