Well, let me tell ya, if you’re lookin’ to catch some good fish over at Lake Pontchartrain, you’re in the right place! Now, I ain’t no expert, but I can sure tell you what I know from years of watchin’ the fishin’ folks come in and outta that place. There’s a lotta good fish swimmin’ ’round in that big ol’ lake, so if you get your timing right, you can fill your boat up with some real fine catches.
First off, the best time to go fishin’ in Lake Pontchartrain? Well, let me tell you, from April all the way through to November, that’s when the fish are out in full force. Now, December, it’s like they all just disappear. Kinda like they know the season’s over! You gotta catch ’em while the weather’s warm, ‘cause once it starts gettin’ cold, they don’t wanna bite much. And for us folks from around here, that’s the time to pack up your rod and wait till the next year.
When it comes to what you’ll be catchin’, there’s a whole mess of fish in those waters. You can find redfish, speckled trout, drum, sheephead, and even some big ol’ flounder if you’re lucky. They say the trout’s been biting real good lately, especially on them ledges and shell beds. If you know where to go, you can pull in some decent-sized fish pretty quick.
Now, you might be wonderin’, what’s the best bait to use? Well, let me tell you, the smaller the shrimp, the better! Them fish sure seem to like the little ones. But don’t just stick to shrimp, no sir. You can try cracked crab or even some live crawfish if you got ‘em. Now, I know that sounds a bit strange, but trust me, it works! Some folks swear by it, and I ain’t about to argue with folks who know their stuff.
As for the best way to fish, well, you can’t go wrong with a Carolina Rig. It works real well, especially for those redfish and trout. But here’s a little secret: if you’re fishin’ off a pylon or something, you might wanna go light on your weight. Them sheephead, they like to hang out all the way from the top of the water to the bottom, and you don’t wanna be pullin’ that bait too fast. Let it sink slow-like, and you’ll have a much better chance of catchin’ ’em.
Lake Pontchartrain’s got a real nice spot with over 20 miles of shoreline, from the Hwy 11 bridge to the Causeway. That sandy bottom is full of eel grass, and that’s where you’ll find a lot of those redfish and speckled trout hangin’ around. If you can get yourself out there to those hot spots, you’ll be in business.
But now, it ain’t all about the fishin’ spots. You gotta keep an eye on the water too. The lake ain’t real deep – the average depth’s only about 14 feet, so it’s not like you’re fishin’ in some big ol’ ocean or anything. But don’t let that fool ya, there’s plenty of fish down there if you know where to look. And you don’t gotta be goin’ far out either. A little 15-minute boat ride from the dock, and you’ll start findin’ fish comin’ up on them ledges and beds.
And another thing, always check the fishing reports. Those can tell you what’s biting and when. I don’t care how long you’ve been fishin’, you gotta keep up with what’s going on. Sometimes them fish get picky, and you gotta know what they’re in the mood for that day. Slidell reports, they say they’ve been catchin’ plenty of fish over there, so you might wanna head that way too if you’re close.
Now, let’s talk about the licenses and regulations for a second. If you’re gonna be fishin’ in Lake Pontchartrain, you better make sure you got the right permits. Louisiana ain’t shy about checkin’, and they don’t mess around when it comes to fishing laws. So make sure you’re legal, or you might just find yourself in a pickle.
In conclusion, if you’re lookin’ for a good spot to fish and catch some tasty fish, Lake Pontchartrain is the place to be. Just remember to go when the weather’s warm, use the right bait, and keep an eye on those fishin’ reports. And don’t forget your fishing license! You don’t wanna be gettin’ in trouble out there. Good luck, and happy fishin’!
Tags：[Louisiana fishing, Lake Pontchartrain, fishing report, redfish, trout fishing, best fishing spots, fishing bait, fishing regulations, fishing tips, Slidell fishing]
