Area 5 - Fishing Louisiana

Destination	Parish	Links

Big Burn Marsh	Cameron Parish
The Big Burn is located in Cameron Parish just south of the Intracoastal Waterway and east of Highway 27. It is necessary to obtain a permit from Miami Corporation before fishing in Big Burn. They can be purchased from several sporting good stores in and around the Lake Charles area. The rules and regulations are contained in the permit and must be followed when fishing this area. This fresh water marsh is a popular place for local fisherman. The water is shallow and becomes heavily vegetated, especially as summer progresses. Early spring is the best time to fish because the vegetation is not as thick. Bateaus with small motors are used to access Big Burn. There are many marsh trails found throughout Big Burn. Fishermen can catch, bass, white perch, and bream. Catfish can be found in the deeper canals.
Calcasieu Lake	Calcasieu, Cameron
Located south of Lake Charles, Calcasieu Lake is considered one of the most productive estuaries systems on the gulf coast. Beginning with Lake Charles, Prien and Moss Lake, the Calcasieu Ship Channel flows into Calcasieu Lake. This huge lake offers fabulous fishing for red fish, speckled trout and flounder. Marshy shorelines and oyster beds provide ideal schooling areas for redfish.
Calcasieu River	Sabine, Jeff Davis, Vernon, Rapides, Calcasieu	Sam Houston Jones State Park
Beginning in the hills west of Alexandria, the Calcasieu River with its tributaries, bayous and creeks winds its way south into Calcasieu Lake. The area south of Hwy. 113 to Hwy. 190 in Rapides and Allen Parishes is designated as a natural and scenic river and provides excellent floating and fishing. The water is clear and moderately swift with a sandy bottom. Access points for float fishing are usually the embankments near bridges, although access is sometimes unpredictable. Fishing is usually best when the water is falling. There are several access sites south of Hwy. 190. At Sam Houston Jones State Park there is access to the West Fork of the Calcasieu River, the Houston Rivers and Indian Bayou. From this area there is good access to Calcasieu Lake and on southward to the Gulf of Mexico. This beautiful system of waterways yields good catches of white perch, bass, bream, gou and catfish.
Lacassine Pool Marsh	Cameron Parish	Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge 209 Nature Road, Lake Arthur, LA, 70549, Phone: 318-774-5923
Lacassine Pool is recovering from drought conditions. Located in Cameron Parish and southeast of Lake Charles Louisiana is the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge. The 32,970 acre refuge was established in 1937 to preserve wintering habitat for waterfowl in the coastal prairie of southwestern Louisiana. The refuge is noted for its large concentration of waterfowl, wildlife, and several species of freshwater fish. Located inside the refuge is Lacassine Pool which offers excellent marsh fishing. Lacassine Pool was created by enclosing a 16,000 acre marsh with a low levee system. Largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and catfish are found in the marsh. Anglers should consult the State regulations for special restrictions in the refuge when fishing the waterways. Seasons, hours, regulations on boat motors, and other restrictions exist for the refuge. The season begins on March 15 and lasts through Oct. 15. Anglers wait in long lines to fish Lacassine on opening day. The opening season brings with it excellent catches of large, healthy black bass. Like most of the shallow marshes in southwest Louisiana, Lacassine Pool becomes heavily vegetated during the summer months. The water is very clear and best fishing days are when the weather is overcast with a slight breeze. Anglers use baby bass spinner baits, floating lizards, worms, small plastic frogs, spoons with pork chunks, and buzz baits. An 11 pound 10 ounce bass was caught in March, 1999, setting a new Lacassine Refuge record.
Mermentau River	Cameron, Jeff. Davis, Vermillion

Sabine Lake	Cameron Parish	Sabine National Wildlife Refuge

Sabine River	Louisiana-Texas Border
The Sabine River is one of least fished rivers in Louisiana. This is partly due to the lack of launch ramps available. Launch sites are located near Vinton, off of La. 109, and south of interstate 10 near Toomey. The upper reaches of the river are characterized by sandy bottoms winding through pine forests. Further south the river flows through cypress and tupelo gum swamps. The fresh water is transformed into brackish water as it reaches south towards Sabine Lake. The river is full of largemouth bass and Kentucky spotted bass. Good numbers can be taken, although most bass are small. A big Sabine bass will weigh less than six pounds with average bass weighing from 1 to 2 lbs. Water released from Toledo Bend dictates the water flow on the north end, while the tides have an influence on the south end of the river. Both situations play a key role in how fish will bite. The best conditions are when the water is falling, and when the tidal action drains the marshes, pulling food through runouts and cuts.