Best Times & Seasons to Fish in New Orleans (Complete Guide)
New Orleans is one of the most popular and best fishing spots on the Gulf Coast. Knowing the best seasons and times of day to fish in New Orleans can make a huge difference in your fishing success.
The best times to fish in New Orleans-area coastal waters are May through mid-October for cobia, flounder, tarpon, tuna, and speckled trout. The worst fishing time is typically in late winter.
| Fish Species | Best Times to Fish New Orleans Coastal Waters |
| Cobia | July through October is the best timeframe with September being the best month. |
| Flounder | Year-round availability; November is the best time. |
| Tarpon | Early spring through early September is the best fishing window. |
| Tuna | Fall and mid-winter is the best season for tuna in New Orleans. |
| Speckled Trout | Fish offshore in summer and nearshore and piers in winter. |
Fishing in and around New Orleans is amazing all year round. This place is good for every fisherman. Here, you can take a boating advantage to enjoy deep sea fishing as well as inshore fishing. New Orleans impresses anglers with the abundance of fish species.
There are many good fishing places where you can get away from the city life and have a great time. Fishing in the New Orleans area will help you spend a good day with family or friends, relax and forget about stress.
In this guide, we’ll provide you with information on the best times to go fishing in the area and tell you about the fish species that you can target in fishing spot locations. In addition, we’ll provide a list of the top locations to catch fish in New Orleans.
Best Time to Fish New Orleans
Actually, anglers can enjoy fishing in New Orleans any time of the year. The time of the year that’s best to fish New Orleans depends on two main factors: the fish species that you are going to target as well as your method of angling.
Let’s say that you are interested in fly fishing. If so, it would be better to go fishing in the fall. During the fall months, anglers have an opportunity to catch such species of fish as black drum, jack crevalle as well as redfish.
It also makes sense to fish in New Orleans in May. During this time of the year, you can target redfish as well as speckled trout. It’s worth noting that redfish gets active in the spring.
Water is getting warmer in April, so redfish actively feed during the day. Or, maybe, you would like to target flounder? In this case, you should go fishing in November.
New Orleans Species Breakdown: Best Time
New Orleans impresses anglers with its diversity of fish. It’s possible to fish in lakes, ponds, and rivers. And of course, deep fishing provides fishermen with great opportunities all year round.
You can take advantage of charter boat fishing, party boat fishing, pier fishing, and shore fishing in the New Orleans area. Anglers can catch both freshwater and saltwater fish in the region. There are many fish species that you can catch in New Orleans waters.
Bluegill
Fishermen have a chance to catch bluegill in New Orleans. The fish is the most active in spring and early summer. It’s recommended to fish for bluegill in the evening. New Orleans City Park is the right place to target bluegill in the New Orleans area.
Catfish
You can also catch catfish during a New Orleans fishing trip. It’s possible to catch catfish in New Orleans all year round, but the fish is most active during the summer months. The best space for fish for catfish in the area is Delacroix Island.
Cobia
If you come to New Orleans in the fall, then try to target cobia. The fish actively feeds in September. It’s important to know that the fish gives a preference to deep and slow-moving waters. Cobia is often found near oil rigs and gas platforms. Oftentimes, anglers catch cobia near Cocodrie.
Perch
Pier anglers in New Orleans prefer to catch perch. It’s possible to catch perch all year round. The fish is usually the most active in the early mornings and evenings. Go to the Marconi Fishing Pier to enjoy perch fishing in the New Orleans area.
Speckled Trout
Speckled trout is one of the most common fish species in New Orleans. A lot of local anglers choose to target this fish. The fish is active all year round, but it moves during the year and can be found in different places each month.
So, anglers have to take into account this fact when catching trout. Speckled trout goes further in the sea in the summer. During the winter months, it would be better to target the fish near the banks.
Flounder
Flounder is a very strong fish and a very good fighter. So, you will get a big pleasure if you choose to catch this fish.
November is the best time of year to target flounder in New Orleans. Calcasieu Point Landing is one of the best fishing spots in the area to target flounder.
Largemouth Bass
Anglers, who specialize in catching freshwater fish, also have excellent fishing opportunities. There are lakes, rivers as well as reservoirs in New Orleans and surrounding areas where anglers can catch a trophy largemouth bass. Lake Cataouatche is one of the best fishing spots for catching largemouth bass in New Orleans.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead is another fish to catch in New Orleans. Oftentimes, the fish can be found near bridges and docks. The fish is more active during the cold months.
The season to fish for sheepshead starts in December and lasts till April. Anglers should visit Lake Pontchartrain to catch sheepshead.
Tuna
New Orleans attracts those anglers, who like to catch tuna. The fall and winter are the periods of the year when fishing for tuna are the most productive here.
Many fishermen should target Yellowfin Tuna in Louisiana. When fishing for Yellowfin Tuna in this area, anglers get the best possible results.
Tarpon
It’s important to know that anglers can enjoy tarpon fishing near New Orleans. Tarpon gives fishermen great fight and that’s the reason why it’s always very interesting to catch. The fishing season starts in the spring and lasts until the early fall.
The best times of day to catch tarpon are early mornings and late afternoons. Those anglers, who choose to catch tarpon in the area, usually target the fishing spots across the Gulf Coast.
Recommended Fishing Charters near New Orleans
These New Orleans-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 | Type of Fishing Offered |
| Get’n Hooked Inshore Adventures | Inshore & Nearshore |
| Big Dog Fishing Charters | Inshore & Nearshore |
| Pelican State Fishing Charters | Inshore & Nearshore |
| A Fishing Fool (Coastal Charter) | Inshore & Nearshore |
| Victory Bay Charters | Inshore & Nearshore |
Best Time of Day to Fish New Orleans
Anglers in New Orleans choose to go fishing during different times of the day. It’s possible to fish in the early morning, from late morning to afternoon, and from afternoon to dusk. The best time of day to fish depends on the time of the year.
Afternoon to evening is the best time to fish in the spring and fall. The water is getting warmer in the evening during the spring and fall months. So, the fish bite well.
Early morning is the best time to fish in the summer. The weather is hot, but water cools down in the morning and this positively affects the activity of fish. As a result, fish actively feed in the early morning.
New Orleans Fishing & Tidal Impacts
It’s incredibly important for anglers to know when it’s best to go fishing. The activity of fish depends a lot on such factors as weather and tides. That’s why anglers need to study the fishing tide times when planning a New Orleans fishing trip.
Tides result in the movement of water that increases the activity of fish. Fish actively feed and anglers find it easy to catch it. The vast majority of fish species bite well during the rising tides.
It’s also important to note that different fish species react to tides differently. For example, Sheepshead actively feeds during the incoming and outgoing tides. So, you need to know how tides impact the fish species that you are going to target.
Storms & New Orleans Fishing
Storms usually create a lot of challenges for fishermen in New Orleans. Many areas are flooded after storms and that’s why anglers may find it difficult to reach their fishing spots.
On the other hand, storms create great opportunities for anglers who prefer to catch redfish. It makes a lot of sense to target redfish after storms in New Orleans.
Fishermen can catch redfish in Cocodrie, in the areas near Four League Bay and between Moss Bay to Grand Caillou Bayou, and down to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a good idea to target such fishing spots as Little Pass, Whiskey Pass, and Wine Island Pass.
Is Winter Fishing Bad or Good in New Orleans?
Anglers can fish in New Orleans each month. However, only certain fish species are active in winter. So, you will be able to catch specific species of fish only.
Among the fish species that you can target in New Orleans during the winter months are black drums, sheepheads, speckled trout, and redfish.
Also, you need to know where fish concentrate during the cold months. That means that fishing will be productive if you know what areas to target.
If you book a boat trip, you’ll go fishing with a captain. The local expert will show you the best winter fishing spots in the New Orleans area.
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 to create your combo.
Night Fishing in New Orleans
Fishermen in New Orleans can book either day or overnight fishing charters. Nighttime fishing offers great opportunities to anglers. Night fishing trips are very productive.
The night is a great time to enjoy bow fishing. It’s important to note that this method of fishing is very interesting and provides anglers with too much fun. Don’t miss an opportunity to spend a great night on the water and enjoy fishing under the lights.
Oftentimes, anglers catch a big trout at night. During a night fishing trip, anglers have to target trout on top of the water.
Dock lights, as well as bridge lights, attract trout. Anglers can also catch such species of fish like black drum, redfish as well as sheepshead at night.
Shore/Surf Fishing: Best Times & Seasons
Shore/surf fishing is also very popular in New Orleans. This method of fishing allows anglers to catch a vast variety of fish species such as black drum, flounder, redfish, speckled trout, sheepsheads, etc.
It’s possible to surf fish in New Orleans throughout the year. Early mornings and late nights are the best times for surf fishing in the New Orleans area.
Top Fishing Spots in New Orleans: Best Times
Anglers need to find out where to go fishing. There are many freshwater and saltwater fishing spots in the area. Now, let’s talk about some of the best fishing spots in New Orleans.
First of all, we’ll briefly describe the most productive fishing spots in the area. Also, we’ll tell you about the fish species that you can target and provide you with the best fishing times.
Delacroix Island
Delacroix Island is a popular fishing spot that attracts both beginners and professionals. It’s the place where you can target many fish species such as catfish, flounder as well as redfish, and speckled trout.
Here, it’s possible to enjoy fishing all year round. When fishing near Delacroix Island, anglers usually get the best results in August.
Elmer’s Island
Elmer’s Island is a good fishing spot that impresses anglers with its beautiful beaches and a wide variety of fish species. Here, you can catch blue crab, flounder, catfish, speckled trout as well as red drum.
It’s the place where you can enjoy fishing and have a good time fishing with your family and friends all year round.
New Orleans City Park
New Orleans City Park is another good fishing spot in New Orleans. The history of the park dates back to the 19th century. There are many places where you can fish in the park. For example, you can fish on the Marconi Fishing Pier.
Here, you can catch bass, perch as well as catfish. If you would like to catch bluegill or largemouth bass, then you should try to fish the Harrison Canal. New Orleans City Park is the place where anglers can enjoy fishing any time of the year.
Lake Cataouatche
Lake Cataouatche is one of the top fishing spots in New Orleans. The lake is located in the southwestern part of New Orleans. This fishing spot has gained huge popularity due to the Bassmaster Classic tournament.
It’s the ideal place to enjoy fishing and relax in beautiful surroundings. Here, you can catch largemouth bass, blue catfish as well as redfish. There are more than 100 species of fish in the lake. When fishing, you have to follow the local rules and regulations.
Anglers can fish Lake Cataouatche all year round. However, fishermen traditionally get the best results during the spring and fall months.
Lake Pontchartrain
You should visit this place if you would like to catch a big Sheepshead in the New Orleans area. Here, you can also catch a big drum, speckled trout, flounder, redfish, and some other fish species.
There are different ways to fish Lake Pontchartrain. You can either take a fishing boat trip or fish from the banks.
The fishing season starts in the middle of October and lasts till late November. However, it would be better to visit this fishing spot between April and May if you would like to target trout.
Booking Charters in New Orleans: Best Times
A fishing trip always begins with planning. Everything needs to be planned carefully in advance. When getting ready for a fishing trip in New Orleans, you have to decide what the best time of year is as well as what the best time of day is to go fishing. In addition, you need to find out how long a fishing trip will take.
Best season to go
Fishing is the most productive in the late fall and the early spring. When the fishing season is high, the demand for fishing is growing and prices go up.
If you don’t want to visit New Orleans during the busy season, then go fishing in March. Fly fishing can be challenging during this period of time, but fishing opportunities are great.
Morning vs. afternoon
Both morning and afternoon fishing trips are available for anglers in New Orleans. Your choice depends on your fishing preferences. The reality is, some fish species are active in the morning. There are also fish species that actively feed during the afternoon time.
It all depends on the fish species that you are going to target. Would you like to target mackerel or kingfish? If so, you should plan a fishing trip for the morning. Let’s say that you are interested in catching sailfish or sharks. In this case, it would be better to go fishing in the afternoon.
Also, it’s necessary to select the time of day to go fishing with the time of year and the local weather in mind. It’s a good idea to fish in New Orleans in the morning in summer.
Fish usually stop biting in the afternoon when the weather is too hot. However, water cools down in the morning and fish begin to feed actively at this period of time.
On the other hand, the water warms up in the afternoon when the weather is cold. That means that afternoon time is more suitable for fishing in spring, fall, and winter.
1/2 day, full-day, multi-day charters.
There are different types of chartered fishing trips available for anglers. Fishermen can consider 1/2 day and full-day trips as well as multi-day charters.
So, you have to find out how much time you want to spend fishing. After that, you have to pick a trip that meets your fishing preferences and budget.
Would you like to enjoy fishing either in the morning or afternoon? If so, a half-day fishing trip is worth considering.
Or, maybe, you need more time to learn the fishing techniques during a trip? In this case, you should book a full-day fishing trip.
Multi-day charters are recommended to anglers, who want to spend several days fishing and get the best possible experience. There is no doubt that multi-day charters would be the best option.
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