Louisiana Travel
Fishing Booker recently listed Iberia Parish as a Top 7 Fishing Destination in the U.S.!
It's no surprise as waterways make up nearly half of the parish, making it the perfect place for your next Louisiana fishing adventure. We've answered your most pressing questions about fishing in and around New Iberia so you can plan your trip.
1) What are the best places to go fishing in Iberia Parish?
"There's a good reason there are so many boat owners in Iberia Parish," said Don Shoopman, a local angler and outdoors writer. "Anglers here need them to get to the beaucoup fish that inhabit our freshwater bayous and lakes and the saltwater species in and around Vermilion Bay and in the Gulf of Mexico."
There are 24 lakes within the parish, many with interesting names like Trash Pile and Lake Tom.
You can take to the water from any one of 15 public boat launches throughout the area, including one on Avery Island and inside beautiful Lake Fausse Pointe State Park.
Waterfront cabins with a private pier are available at Cypremort Point and Lake Fausse Pointe State Parks. The latter also offers boat rentals. And, with the Atchafalaya Basin as our backyard, the Bayou Teche corridor is a pristine area for loading up to your limit.
If you're looking for the big haul, leaving out of the Port at Delcambre with its 28-slip recreational marina, or other Gulf-access boat launches, you'll be into deep water fishing in no time.
Click to see where to fish in Iberia Parish.
Bayou Carlin Cove
2) What is the best time of the year to go on a fishing trip in south Louisiana? What fish can you catch?
"We are blessed with arguably the best, at times, bass, bream and sac-a-lait fishing in and around the Atchafalaya Basin, including Lake Dauterive-Fausse Pointe, and within a short drive great opportunities to catch speckled trout, redfish, drum, croaker, flounder and more, water and weather conditions permitting," Shoopman said.
Our mild temperatures enable anglers to catch fish year-round, but spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures to spend the day in the open.
- January-March: Huge yellowfin tuna and wahoo can sometimes be found less than 20 miles offshore. At that time of year speckled trout and redfish are also in the interior marshes of the coast. The speckled trout are caught in the deeper holes on cold days and on the flats during the warmer days. Redfish can be found in both deep holes and cuts along the marsh.
- April-June is the time where our speckled trout begin their migration from the interior marshes back to the barrier islands and areas near the Gulf of Mexico. This is the spawn and this is one of the best times of year to catch monster speckled trout. Across the coast, anglers can find redfish both inside and outside pretty much all year long.
- July-September: offshore catches include red snapper, mangrove snapper, cobia, amberjack and yellowfin tuna, just to name a few. It is a buffet offshore this time of year! Inland fishing includes speckled trout redfish and flounder.
- October-December: Fish begin moving into the interior marshes and can be caught in great numbers. Speckled trout are abundant but slightly smaller. Redfish are just everywhere and offshore some of your biggest yellowfin tuna will be brought back to the dock.
- Yearlong: You can find a wide variety of freshwater fish waiting to be caught, including Largemouth & Hybrid Striped Bass, Black & White Perch (Crappie), Catfish, Redear Sunfish and Gar. Saltwater catches include Amberjack, Drum, Grouper, Flounder, Jack, Redfish, Tuna, Tarpon and Wahoo.
Cypremort Point State Park
3) Do I need a fishing license?
If you’re age 16 or older, you must have a Basic Fishing License to fish recreationally in Louisiana waters. If you’re fishing south of the saltwater line, you must also have a Saltwater License. Please note that if you’re fishing with a cane pole, you just need a Hook and Line License; no other license is required.
Click for more information on Louisiana fishing licenses and to purchase a licence online.
Smokin' Reels Charters
4) Is charter fishing available?
If you don't have a boat and want to hire an expert guide for the best spots, go with one of our experienced charter captains. "There are a handful of reputable saltwater charter boat captains around here who know the reefs, bays, passes and Marsh Island hotspots like the back of their hand," Shoopman said.
On every chartered fishing boat expedition, every guest should expect:
- A licensed captain
- All rods, reels, tackle, and necessary fishing equipment
- Ice
- Fuel & oil for the boat
- Live bait when possible
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
5) What to bring on a Louisiana fishing trip?
- Fishing gear: make sure to pack the specific equipment and bait to match the type of fish you’re after and pack twice the fishing line you think you’ll need, just in case.
- Insect repellent and sun protection (hat, sunglasses and sunscreen)
- Clothing: wear layers (a long sleeves shirt and quick drying pants will protect you from the elements), a light jacket with plenty of pockets, and a change of clothes and shoes in case you get wet.
- Waterproof boots and waders can also come in handy if you decide to fish in the water
- Cooler and ice
- Basic first aid kit
- Smartphone, camera, printed map
- Waterproof bag
- Louisiana fishing license
- Drinks and snacks
- Foldable chair
Browse our calendar of events to take advantage of saltwater fishing rodeos and freshwater fishing tournaments as they happen throughout the year, including the Fourth of July Fishing Rodeo.
With so many different waterways, and high limits on everything from bass to redfish, you never know what you might catch when you cast away.
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