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| Largemouth Bass | Smallmouth Bass | Bluegill |
| Redear Sunfish | White Crappie | Black Crappie |
| White Bass | Striped Bass | Catfish |
Visit Louisiana Wildlife and
Fisheries -
Size and Creel Limits for Freshwater
Recreational Fishing
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Spawning activity begins in the spring as water temperatures reach and maintain 62-65 F. March and April are the peak spawning months for Louisiana. Oxbow lakes along the Mississippi River, as well as the Atchafalaya Basin have been stocked with Florida largemouths. Successful restocking of the Atchafalaya Basin has resulted in reports of larger and better catches of largemouth bass. The largemouth bass is the most sought after freshwater fish of the sport fisherman in Louisiana and can be found throughout the state.
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(Micropterus punctulatus)Spotted Bass Smallmouth size range: up to 5 lbs. |
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The smallmouth or spotted bass is similar to that of the largemouth bass,
however it does not grow as large, and its upper jaw does not extend past the rear of the
eye. Spotted bass are found mostly in cool flowing streams and deep reservoirs, though
many are found in areas such as the Atchafalaya Basin. They spawn when temperatures reach
60-70F.
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(Lepomis macrochirus)Bluegill bream, sunfish size range: up to 1 1/4 lbs. |
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The Bluegill is a prolific fish and is found literally
everywhere in Louisiana waters. They are a favored prey of predatory fish such as
bass. Because of this the Bluegill will remain near protective cover, such as dense
brush, grasses, standing and submerged timber. Bluegills spawn when water temperatures
reach 78 to 80 degrees. They will reach 8 to 10 inches during their second year if food
and space is plentiful. An over abundance of bluegill in a waterbody will affect
their rate of growth and will reduce or prevent successful spawning.
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(Lepomis microlopus)Redear Sunfish chinquapin, shellcracker size range: up to 1 1/2 lbs. |
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Characterized by red edge on gillcover (male) and orange (female).
This fish is very similar to the bluegill except the redear is not as numerous and spawns
in deeper water. They eat snails and clams, insect larvae, small crustaceans and
insects.
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(Pomoxis annularis)White Crappie Sac-a-lait, white perch, calico bass size range: up to 4 lbs., usually less than 2lbs. |
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White Crappie are found in deep water around stump rows,
drop-offs and artificial cover. In early spring they will move from deep water to
shallower water and find and stay in protective cover. Man-made brush piles
set at spawning depth will hold many crappie.
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(Pomoxis nigromaculatus)Black Crappie Sac-a-lait, white perch, calico bass size range: up to 4 lbs. usually less than 2 lbs. |
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Black Crappie are found in deep water around stump rows,
drop-offs and artificial cover. They are very similar to the white crappie in that they
also prefer to stay in the protective cover of brush piles. They spawn when the water
temperature reaches 58 degrees.
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(Morone chrysops) White Bass barfish size range: up to 4 pounds |
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Spawning activity begins in the spring in open waters. White bass
school and feed on shad in open areas of lakes and rivers. A member of the temperate bass
family they feed primarily on shad and other baitfish. They can be found around gravel and
sandy areas of rivers and lakes. When these fish are feeding in schools they can be very
fun to catch. They are fish eaters and or an asset for controlling forage fish
populations.
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(Morone saxatilis) Striped Bass striper, rock bass size range: up to 60 pounds, most 5 to 25 lbs. |
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| Spawning activity begins in the spring in open waters. Striped Bass school
and feed on shad in open areas of lakes and rivers. A member of the temperate bass family
they feed primarily on shad and other baitfish. They are fish eaters and are an asset for
controlling forage fish populations. Striped bass are routinely stocked in Toledo Bend
Reservoir. The hybrid striped bass is a cross between the striped bass and the white bass and can reach up to to twelve and fifteen pounds in five years. They have also been placed in many of Louisiana's lakes and rivers.
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(Pylocicitis olivaris) Flathead catfish up to 100lbs., 15 to 30lbs. common (Ictalurus furcatus)Blue largest in U.S.up to 150lbs., 1 to 20lbs. typical, 50lb.common (Ictalurus punctatus)Channel up to 50lbs, 1 to 10lbs. typical |
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Catfish spawn in sheltered places such as hollow logs, beneath undercut
banks and in holes. The best time to catch these fish are at dusk or early evening when
they are the most active. Catfish are taken on trotlines, jug lines, limb lines,
and rod and reel.
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