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Lake Pontchartrain Fishing

Lake Pontchartrain Fishing

Lake Pontchartrain was formed naturally 2,600–4,000 years ago from the Mississippi River Delta. The evolution of the delta caused alluvial deposits to begin creating the southern and eastern shorelines of Lake Pontchartrain, which actually isn't a lake but an estuary. Lake Pontchartrain is connected to the Gulf of Mexico through the Rigolets strait and the Chef Menteur Pass. The estuary has an oval shape with a max length of 40 miles and a max width of 24 miles. There are shipping channels that are kept deeper than the rest of the estuary through dredging. The world's longest continuous bridge over water crosses Lake Pontchartrain, providing lots of structure to catch fish.

Lake Pontchartrain provides inshore fishing opportunities. With the average water depth is 12–14 feet with a max depth of 65 feet, the types of fish you could catch while Lake Pontchartrain fishing include Atlantic Croaker, Bass, Catfish, Flounder, Redfish, Sheepshead and Speckled Trout. When the spillways are opened, freshwater flows into the estuary, bringing some freshwater species.

Fall and winter are the best seasons for targeting Speckled Trout because they tend to temporarily migrate elsewhere when the freshwater flows in from the spillways. Black Drum, Flounder, Largemouth Bass, Redfish and Sheepshead are other species great to target while Lake Pontchartrain fishing in winter. During summer, common species caught at the estuary include Black Drum, Flounder, Jack Crevalle, Largemouth Bass, Redfish, Sheepshead and Tripletail. If you know where to look, you can still reel in Speckled Trout in the summer too.

The world's largest Sheepshead, weighing in at 21.25 pounds, was caught at Lake Pontchartrain. A record 4.64-pound Ladyfish was also caught at the estuary and holds one of the state records in Louisiana. The largest Speckled Trout hooked from the estuary was 11.99 pounds, holding rank No. 2 in Louisiana.



Lake Pontchartrain Fishing Forecast

Target Species of Fish

Based on historical data for fishing Lake Pontchartrain, you should target one of the following species for this time of year:
  1. Spotted Seatrout

  2. Spotted Seatrout

    There is a 35.81% catch rate for Spotted Seatrout, based on 8910 Spotted Seatrout counted.

    Lake Pontchartrain Spotted Seatrout Counts Chart
    Spotted

    ENLARGE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN SPOTTED SEATROUT COUNTS CHART


  3. Atlantic Croaker

  4. Atlantic Croaker

    There is a 17.66% catch rate for Atlantic Croaker, based on 4394 Atlantic Croaker counted.

    Lake Pontchartrain Atlantic Croaker Counts Chart
    Atlantic

    ENLARGE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN ATLANTIC CROAKER COUNTS CHART


  5. Hardhead Catfish

  6. Hardhead Catfish

    There is a 11.2% catch rate for Hardhead Catfish, based on 2787 Hardhead Catfish counted.

    Lake Pontchartrain Hardhead Catfish Counts Chart
    Hardhead

    ENLARGE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN HARDHEAD CATFISH COUNTS CHART


  7. Red Drum

  8. Red Drum

    There is a 9.85% catch rate for Red Drum, based on 2450 Red Drum counted.

    Lake Pontchartrain Red Drum Counts Chart
    Red

    ENLARGE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN RED DRUM COUNTS CHART


  9. Sand Seatrout

  10. Sand Seatrout

    There is a 8.74% catch rate for Sand Seatrout, based on 2176 Sand Seatrout counted.

    Lake Pontchartrain Sand Seatrout Counts Chart
    Sand

    ENLARGE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN SAND SEATROUT COUNTS CHART


  11. Black Drum

  12. Black Drum

    There is a 2.58% catch rate for Black Drum, based on 641 Black Drum counted.

    Lake Pontchartrain Black Drum Counts Chart
    Black

    ENLARGE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN BLACK DRUM COUNTS CHART


  13. Sheepshead

  14. Sheepshead

    There is a 2.57% catch rate for Sheepshead, based on 639 Sheepshead counted.

    Lake Pontchartrain Sheepshead Counts Chart
    Sheepshead

    ENLARGE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN SHEEPSHEAD COUNTS CHART


  15. Gafftopsail Catfish

  16. Gafftopsail Catfish

    There is a 2.02% catch rate for Gafftopsail Catfish, based on 502 Gafftopsail Catfish counted.

    Lake Pontchartrain Gafftopsail Catfish Counts Chart
    Gafftopsail

    ENLARGE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN GAFFTOPSAIL CATFISH COUNTS CHART


  17. Southern Flounder

  18. Southern Flounder

    There is a 1.86% catch rate for Southern Flounder, based on 463 Southern Flounder counted.

    Lake Pontchartrain Southern Flounder Counts Chart
    Southern

    ENLARGE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN SOUTHERN FLOUNDER COUNTS CHART


  19. Largemouth Bass

  20. Largemouth Bass

    There is a 1.23% catch rate for Largemouth Bass, based on 307 Largemouth Bass counted.

    Lake Pontchartrain Largemouth Bass Counts Chart
    Largemouth

    ENLARGE LAKE PONTCHARTRAIN LARGEMOUTH BASS COUNTS CHART


Recommendations above based on 75 species of fish and 24884 fish counted for July around Lake Pontchartrain.

To date, there are 128 species of fish and a total of 193564 fish counted for Lake Pontchartrain and within a 30 mile (48 km) radius since 5/1/1829 (195 years).

Last Update: 7/5/2024 12:51:02 AM

*** PLEASE NOTE ***
Please check local, state/province, and federal laws before fishing for any species found on this site. All data is based on historical data found for this area, and in some cases as far back as the year 1600.

View full Lake Pontchartrain Fishing Forecast to see all species.

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Top Lake Pontchartrain Fishing Spots

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The Top 10 Fishing Spots for Lake Pontchartrain are the following:

  1. Platform
    Platform


  2. St. Tammany (east)
    Artificial Reef Reef site St. Tammany (east) Latitude NAD83 30° 13.455? Longitude NAD83 89° 56.854? Reef type Inshore Waterbody


  3. Obstructions


  4. The Rigolets
    The Rigolets


  5. St. Tammany (west)
    Artificial Reef Reef site St. Tammany (west) Latitude NAD83 30° 18.348? Longitude NAD83 90° 09.000? Reef type Inshore Waterbody


  6. Catfish Point
    Catfish Point


  7. Bridge Span
    Bridge Span


  8. Trout Bayou
    Trout Bayou


  9. Rabbit Ledge
    Rabbit Ledge


  10. wreck-9652


View more Top Lake Pontchartrain Fishing Spots


Latest Lake Pontchartrain Fishing Reports

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  • Louisiana Red Fishing
    It is time to start securing your dates for Louisiana Red Fishing this Fall and Winter. Click the link and send us a message to book your days. Fall and Winter time in the Lo


  • Florida Tarpon Fishing
    Spring and Summer time in the sunshine state is full of opportunities to get outside. Come enjoy the outdoors and get on a skiff to hunt monster fish. Florida Tarpon fishing


  • Fly Fishing for Red Fish
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  • Fly Fishing For Tarpon
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  • Spring Time Louisiana Fishing
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  • Florida Panhandle Tarpon Fly Fishing Guide
    Florida panhandle fly fishing season for Tarpon is quickly approaching! Be sure to book your dates with me for the annual migration of the greatest gamefish in existence. Exp


  • Louisiana Saltwater Fly Fishing
    The Louisiana marsh makes up a substantial amount of North America’s wetlands. On average the Louisiana marsh spans 15 miles from mainland to open gulf. There is near 7 000 s


  • Panhandle and Big Bend Fly Fishing Charters
    The Florida Panhandle and Big Bend make up the forgotten coastlines of North Florida. The region is lined with sleepy little fishing towns. The tarpon migration up and down t


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View Lake Pontchartrain Fishing Reports

Top Lake Pontchartrain Bait & Tackle Stores

  1. Matrix Shad
    Capt. Chas Champagne is an avid angler, located in Slidell, LA. Capt. Chas owns and operates Dockside Bait & Tackle and also manufactures his own tackle producing the Matrix Shad fishing lure and the Golden Eye jig heads.

  2. Bayou Liberty Marina


  3. Bait Shop II LLC


View more Lake Pontchartrain Bait & Tackle Stores

Top Lake Pontchartrain Fishing Charters & Guides

  1. Salted Flats Fly Fishing LLC
    Catch Tarpon and Redfish on Fly - Florida and Louisiana Flats Fishing Guide

  2. Fishunter Guide Services


  3. BIGFISH Charter Fishing & Lodging
    Full Day Day of Fishing from Hopedale, LA Big Time Fishing from our 23' Bay Boats or 29' Catamaran

  4. United Charters


View more Lake Pontchartrain Charters & Guides

Top Lake Pontchartrain Marinas

  1. Bayou Liberty Marina


View more Lake Pontchartrain Marinas

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