Louisiana Sportsman

May 21, 2026

Professional crappie angler Dan Dannenmueller shows off a white crappie he caught while fishing around cypress trees. (Photo by John N. Felsher)

Falling for crappie

August 23, 2024 John N. Felsher

In many ways, chasing crappie in the fall somewhat resembles hunting. Anglers need to go where they can find food sources.[…]

For some down-sized thrilling fishing action, an ultralight spinning combo and a tiny Beetle Spin is hard to beat. A simple cast and retrieve action is all that is needed to trick these colorful, feisty and tasty little demons.

Paddling for panfish

August 23, 2024 Chris Holmes

Whether you collectively call them sunfish, bream, bluegill or panfish, chasing these tiny fighters in a kayak is an absolute blast.[…]

In addition to being a great fishing lake, Sibley Lake serves as the water supply for Natchitoches. (Picture by Terry L. Jones)

The lakes of Natchitoches

August 23, 2024 Terry L. Jones

Natchitoches is surrounded by some of the finest fishing spots in the state. Cane River, Sibley Lake and Red River are all close by.[…]

The future of the Atchafalaya Basin

August 23, 2024 Joe Macaluso

In response to a plea from recreational anglers, the LDWF secretary called for a public meeting about the Atchafalaya Basin’s problems.[…]

Calvin native Holden Higgs holds a couple of the summer crappie he caught on Black Lake in Natchitoches Parish.

Black Lake angler has the right formula for summer crappie

August 1, 2024 Justin Adkins

Calvin native Holden Higgs has cracked the code to the hot summer crappie bite on Black Lake in Natchitoches Parish.[…]

Ernie Roe (right) with a 33.35-pound flathead catfish that won the 2023 Morgan City Oilfield Fishing Rodeo.

Atchafalaya catfish

July 29, 2024 John Flores

Ernie Roe shares his best tips for fishing for big blue catfish and flathead catfish in the Atchafalaya River.[…]

An angler fly-fishing in the Elk River tailrace below the Tims Ford Dam near Winchester, Tenn. The state of Tennessee periodically stocks brown, rainbow and brook trout in the cold water near the dam. (Photo by John N. Felsher)

Out of State Destinations: The Elk River

July 26, 2024 John N. Felsher

Louisiana sportsmen might catch three wild freshwater trout species in the Elk River where none should exist.[…]

Terry Aucoin of Denham Springs shows what a fly rod can produce on Gray’s Creek in August.

Gray’s Creek bream on the fly

July 26, 2024 Keith Lusher Jr.

Fly fisherman Terry Aucoin shares how he targets bream in small creeks near his home in Denham Springs. One is Gray’s Creek.[…]

Baylor Allen shows off a catfish caught using jug lines. (Picture by Ricky Aucoin)

Jugging for cats

July 25, 2024 Ricky Aucoin

If you want to experience an exciting type of catfishing, try your hand at jug lining. Quite often you will catch large catfish.[…]

LDWF’s fish hatcheries stocked 4.2 million freshwater sportfish statewide this spring

July 22, 2024 From News Reports

The LDWF hatcheries produced and stocked approximately 4.2 million freshwater sportfish during the spring 2024 stocking season.[…]

BOTE Breeze Aero Paddleboard

July 22, 2024 Brian Cope

The BOTE Breeze Aero inflatable paddleboard is pefect to fish from while standing or sitting, and you can pack it anywhere.[…]

Tickfaw State Park has plenty of water and ways to see it, including this boardwalk in the park. (Photo courtesy Louisiana State Parks)

The scenic rivers

July 18, 2024 Terry L. Jones

Each year, thousands of Louisianians flock to the Tickfaw, Tchefuncte and Amite rivers to swim, fish, ski, canoe and kayak.[…]

LDWF to hold public meeting to address Atchafalaya Basin freshwater fisheries concerns

July 17, 2024 From News Reports

LDWF will hold a meeting where Inland Fisheries biologists will present data describing fisheries trends in the Atchafalaya Basin.[…]

With a typical saltwater bay boat passing in the background, this nice blue catfish was caught on a Gulp! in the MRGO near the Hopedale dam. While trout and redfish are still caught in the area, the change in salinities since the dam was installed has caused an influx of freshwater catfish.

Don’t discount catfish

July 12, 2024 Chris Holmes

Catfish provide great sport and have become common catches for kayak anglers fishing in all the traditional saltwater areas.[…]

LDWF schedules drawdown for Lake Bistineau

July 9, 2024 From News Reports

The LDWF has requested that the DOTD begin a drawdown of Lake Bistineau in Webster, Bossier, and Bienville parishes on July 29, 2024.[…]

LDWF to allow limited bass and crappie fishing tournaments at Bussey Brake WMA

July 8, 2024 From News Reports

The LDWF has developed guidelines for fishing tournaments at Bussey Brake WMA to optimize the potential for the public.[…]