In Season Now: New Orleans Fishing · Oct. 22
- Black Bass (largemouth and spotted) Year-Round
- Crappie (black and white) Year-Round
From this page's species calendar. Check current the state wildlife agency size and creel limits before you fish.
New Orleans LA
Fishing
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Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, LDWF regulations, and community fishing coverage for Orleans Parish lakes and rivers.
New Orleans anglers fish the freshwater lagoons of Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge in New Orleans East and Lake Pontchartrain, which Louisiana treats as saltwater. LDWF sets the limits; see below.
- Water temps in the prime range — bass are active on shallow structure. Topwater lures effective morning and evening.
Freshwater lagoons, bayous and ponds inside New Orleans city limits, home to largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and crawfish (USFWS).
Rod-and-reel fishing year-round inside the hurricane levee. Outside the levee, fishing is closed until noon from Nov 1 to Jan 31 and during the state teal season.
Lake Pontchartrain is legally saltwater under Louisiana's boundary rules.
Public shoreline and launches around the lake.
Know a New Orleans-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
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Yes. Anglers need a Louisiana fishing license to fish public waters. See LDWF at wlf.louisiana.gov for current license ages, fees and any free fishing days.
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Orleans Parish has multiple public fishing lakes. Consult LDWF for a full lake-by-lake breakdown covering largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and bream.
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The best crappie fishing in Orleans Parish is during the spring spawn, which typically runs from late March through April when water temperatures reach 55-65 degrees F. Fish move into shallower water (2-6 feet) around structure, brush piles, and bridge pilings. A second run occurs in fall (October-November) when fish stage deeper at 12-18 feet as water cools.
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Yes — kayak fishing is well-suited for New Orleans lakes, especially smaller electric-only water bodies. State-park lakes often offer kayak and canoe rentals and allow human-powered craft without a boating permit. Local rivers frequently offer scenic float trips combining paddling and bass fishing. Consult LDWF for blueway maps and put-in/take-out points.
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Rivers near New Orleans typically hold a diverse bass fishery — largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, and rock bass in rocky shoals. Catfish (channel, blue, flathead) are common. Consult LDWF for stocking history and fly-fishing recommendations. Wade fishing at road crossings and kayak floats are the most productive approaches.
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LDWF stocks select Orleans Parish waters with trout, typically in spring and fall when water temperatures are suitable. Stocking locations and schedules are posted annually on the LDWF website at https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/ — search for the freshwater trout stocking report. The standard trout bag limit is 5 per day during stocking season. Check the current LDWF schedule for specific lakes and streams stocked near New Orleans.