Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Lake Charles, LA (A Guide)
Lake Charles, Louisiana is one of the best fishing spots on the Gulf Coast. Knowing the best seasons and times of day to fish in Lake Charles can make a huge difference in your fishing success.
Fishing in the Lake Charles area is best between April and December with the fall months typically offering great fishing with much less competition from other anglers.
This guide provides anglers with information on the best times of the year to fish, where to go fishing, and the top targeted species in the area. This helps plan Lake Charles fishing trips successfully.
Best Time to Fish near Lake Charles
Lake Charles is a fishing destination that allows anglers to enjoy fishing year-round. The best time to fish the lake depends on the fish species that you are targeting.
Such species of fish as black drum, largemouth bass, redfish, tripletail, sheepshead, and speckled trout are active in the local waters year-round. So, it’s possible to target them at any time of the year.
It’s also important to note that seasonal fish species such as cobia also can be found in Lake Charles. These species of fish are active at certain times of the year only.
It’s necessary to prepare for Lake Charles fishing adventures in advance. First of all, anglers need to decide what fish species they are going to target in the lake. After that, they need to study the bite times of these species carefully. For example, it would be better to go fishing for cobia between April and November.
A peak fishing season in Lake Charles starts in the early spring and ends in the late fall. The vast majority of fish species can be targeted at this time of the year.
Lake Charles Species: Best Times & Seasons
Those anglers, who are planning to go fishing in Lake Charles, should know exactly what species they will target during their trip. Anglers should go fishing when the chance to catch their favorite species is high. Lake Charles is surrounded by fishing spots.
Black Drum
Oftentimes, fishermen catch black drum in Lake Charles. Black drum is active in the lake year-round. So, you can go fishing for black drum at any time of the year.
The best months to fish for black drum are January and December. Prien Lake is one of the best places where you can catch black drum.
Bream
It’s possible to catch bream in the lake as well. Bream is active throughout the year. The best time of the year to target bream is the early spring.
Bream feeds actively in the late evening and at night. However, it’s possible to catch bream during the daytime as well. Bream can be found in the Calcasieu River.
Crappie
Anglers can fish for crappie in Lake Charles successfully throughout the year. However, the best time of the year for fishing crappie is spring.
Crappie bites well at early dawn and at dusk during warm months and in the afternoon during cold months. The Calcasieu River is the right place to target crappie.
Cobia
Cobia is one of the top targets in the lake. Cobia fishing season in Lake Charles starts in the early spring and ends in the early winter. The best time of the year to target cobia in the lake is best between May and August.
Cobia bites well in the middle of the day. It makes sense to target cobia in a stream that connects Lake Calcasieu to the Gulf of Mexico.
Flounder
Flounder is active in Lake Charles throughout the year. However, the best time for flounder fishing in the lake is between April and November. Flounder feeds actively in the early morning and in the late evening. Creole Nature Trail is a good place for flounder fishing.
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass is active in the lake year-round. Fishing for largemouth fishing in Lake Charles is best during the spring and fall months.
The night is the best time of day to catch largemouth bass. Also, largemouth bass bites well during evening hours. Largemouth bass can be caught in the Calcasieu River.
Redfish
Redfish are the main target in Lake Charles. Redfish are active in the lake year-round. Morning is a great time of the day to catch redfish. Calcasieu Point Landing is one of the best spots to target redfish.
Speckled Trout
Speckled trout fishing is excellent in the lake year-round. However, the best time of the year to catch speckled trout in Lake Charles is between February and November.
Speckled trout bites well in the morning, in the late evening, and at night. Speckled trout can be found in the lower stream of the Calcasieu River.
Sheepshead
Fishing for sheepshead in the lake is productive year-round. Anglers can target sheepshead in a stream that connects Lake Calcasieu to the Gulf of Mexico.
Tripletail
Tripletail fishing in Lake Charles is good year-round. However, the best time of year to catch tripletail in the lake is between July and August.
Tripletail bites well in the middle of the day. The stream that connects Lake Calcasieu to the Gulf of Mexico is a good place for fishing tripletail in the lake.
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Recommended Fishing Guides/Charters in Lake Charles
These Lake Charles-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Waterside Charters | Lake Charles, LA |
| Fishing Tom Guide Service | Lake Charles, LA |
| Fleur De Lis Charters LLC | Lake Charles, LA |
| Daybreak Fishing Charters | Lake Charles, LA |
| Reel Charters LLC | Lake Charles, LA |
| High Tide Charters | Lake Charles, LA |
| Louisiana Fins Guide Service | Lake Charles, LA |
| Louisiana Backwater Charters | Lake Charles, LA |
| Gills & Bills Guide Service | Lake Charles, LA |
| Hackberry Guide Service | Hackberry, LA |
| Bigguns Guide Service | Bridge City, TX |
Best Seasons to Book a Lake Charles Charter
Anglers can go fishing in Lake Charles at any time of the year. However, each season is different. Below, we’ll explain what species anglers can expect to catch in the lake during the spring, summer, fall, and winter months.
Spring
Spring is a great time of the year to experience fishing in Lake Charles. Fish move closer to shore in spring. It would be better to go fishing in the southern part of the lake during the spring months.
Such species as speckled trout and redfish begin feeding actively in the early spring. It’s also possible to target such species as largemouth bass, black drum, and sheepshead in spring.
Summer
Fishing is becoming more productive in the lake in summer. However, fish go into deeper waters during the summer months. Redfish as well as trout are the main targets in the lake in summer. Additionally, anglers can target black drum, cobia, flounder, sheepshead as well as tripletail.
Fall
Lake Charles fishing is excellent in the fall. It’s time for the flounder run. Fish are getting closer to the shore. Many species can be targeted in the lake in the fall. Anglers have a good chance to land a trophy fish during the fall months.
The top targeted species in the lake during the fall months include redfish, speckled trout as well as flounder. Plus, it’s possible to catch largemouth bass, black drum, sheepshead, and other species in the fall.
Winter
It’s getting colder and some species are inactive or less active in Lake Charles during the winter months. Speckled trout can be found in the lake’s deep waters.
However, it would be better to target redfish in the shallows. Winter also makes it possible for anglers to catch black drum, sheepshead, and other species. It’s also important to note that the angler’s chance to land a trophy increases in winter.
Best Time of Day to Fish Lake Charles
The success of anglers depends on the time of day when they fish Lake Charles. It’s incredibly important to go fishing at the right time. Anglers usually choose to fish in the are in the morning and in the evening.
The best time to fish the lake depends on such factors as the time of the year and fish species that you are targeting. Also, fishermen should take into consideration weather conditions in Louisiana.
It’s hot in Louisiana in the summer. Fishing in hot weather can be hard. When the weather is hot, it would be better to book a half-day trip to go fishing during the morning and evening hours.
By doing so, anglers can avoid the summer heat. It’s also important to note that many species of fish are active in the lake either in the morning or in the evening. Water in the lake cools down and fish begin searching for food actively. As a result, fishing is getting better.
The temperatures in Louisiana are lower during the spring, fall, and winter months. So, anglers can go fishing in the afternoon.
As the water warms up, many species get active and fish start searching for food. Anglers can also consider booking a full-day trip in Lake Charles during colder months. Such trips give them a day of fun.
Lake Charles Fishing & Tidal Impacts
Tides also affect fishing in Lake Charles. Fishing is more productive during rising tides. Incoming tides bring oxygen and create the movement of water. All of this increases the activity of fish. As a result, fish begin to feed actively and anglers find it easy to catch them.
Storms & Lake Charles Fishing
Anglers should study the weather forecast before going fishing in Lake Charles. Fishing during storms and rainstorms should be avoided. The highest rainfall is expected in Louisiana during the summer months. July is the rainiest month in the region.
Storms as well as rainstorms create problems for anglers and affect the behavior of fish. Fish go to the lake’s deep waters and don’t feed during storms. It’s also important to note that high waves, strong winds, and rainfall make fishing in Lake Charles dangerous. However, fish feeds actively before and after storms.
Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in Lake Charles?
The average temperature in Louisiana rarely goes below 31°F. That’s why the lake doesn’t freeze during the winter months. However, many fish species are active in the lake during the winter months. So, winter fishing is still possible in Lake Charles.
In December, it’s possible to catch black drum, redfish, and sheepshead. Go fishing in the shallows if you would like to catch redfish. Trout can be found in the lake’s deep waters this month as well.
Fishermen can go fishing in Lake Charles in January. Fishing can be very productive this month. It’s possible to target black drum, redfish as well as sheepshead at this time of the year.
February is a great time of the year to fish for black drum, redfish, sheepshead, and speckled trout. In the late winter, anglers should search for fish in the shallows and deep waters.
Night Fishing in Lake Charles
Lake Charles is the right place for anglers, who would like to experience night fishing in Louisiana. It makes a lot of sense to fish at night during the summer months. Night fishing is a great way to avoid the summer heat.
It’s not hot and anglers find it comfortable to fish in the lake. Water cools down and many fish species begin to feed actively. Such species as largemouth bass, redfish, and speckled trout are active at night.
Top 5-10 Fishing Spots in Lake Charles
1. Calcasieu Ship Channel
Calcasieu Ship Channel is near Lake Charles. The channel attracts so many anglers, who are interested in fishing for speckled trout. Black drum and red drum can be found in the channel as well.
Anglers prefer to fish near the ledges and marshy buyouts in the channel. Also, it’s possible to go fishing in deeper waters. Fishing in Calcasieu Ship Channel is best in spring. Anglers often catch big trout during the spring months.
2. Creole Nature Trail
Creole Nature Trail is one of the best fishing spots for having a great day on the water. This fishing location impresses anglers with its beautiful nature and wildlife. When fishing in this place, anglers can enjoy bird watching.
A peak fishing season in Creole Nature Trail is between the late spring and the early fall. The top targeted fish species in Creole Nature Trail are flounder, speckled trout, largemouth bass as well as redfish.
3. Calcasieu Point Landing
Calcasieu Point Landing has gained huge popularity among anglers. This fishing spot is located in the northern part of Lake Charles. It’s the place where anglers can fish either from shore or from a boat.
Fishing in the area is the best between October and December. Here, anglers can target flounder, redfish, speckled trout, and other species. The chance to land a trophy is always high in Calcasieu Point Landing.
4. Calcasieu River
Calcasieu River provides anglers with adventures that they can’t forget. The river runs through Lake Charles and offers fantastic fishing opportunities. It makes a lot of sense to fish in the river’s streams. The river has lower, middle, and upper streams.
Fishing in the Calcasieu River is very productive. The best months to fish in the Calcasieu River are October and November. Among the targeted species of fish are: bream, largemouth bass, spotted bass, catfish, crappie, flounder, redfish, and speckled trout.
5. Prien Lake
Prien Lake is located in the southwestern part of Lake Charles. The lake gives anglers an opportunity to enjoy a relaxing day and exciting fishing. Prien Lake is protected from winds, so the ideal conditions for fishing are created.
Anglers find it comfortable to fish in the lake. Fishermen can target black drum, red drum, flounder, speckled trout as well as redfish during Prien Lake fishing adventures.
Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons
Some anglers don’t like to go fishing in offshore waters. So, they give a preference to shore/surf fishing. It’s important to know that Lake Charles offers great fishing opportunities to shore anglers.
There are many places where anglers can do shore fishing. It’s possible to fish in the parks. Intracoastal Park, Holbrook Park as well as Prien Lake Park are suitable for shore fishing. Anglers can also do shore fishing on the Gulf of Mexico’s coastline or on beaches.
But most importantly, surf fishing in Lake Charles is very productive. The lake allows anglers to target various species such as flounder, speckled trout, and redfish.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Empire-Venice, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near New Orleans, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Louisiana, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Grand Isle, check out this helpful guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Chauvin, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
