Abita Springs, LA Fishing: Eclectic Gateway to Louisiana’s Northshore

Abita Springs is a small quirky rural district nestled in the heart of the St. Tammany Parish in the southern part of Louisiana. It serves as a fantastic gateway and home base to explore the rest of the beautiful parish, most commonly referred to as the Northshore. It is situated on the northern banks of Lake Pontchartrain, separating it from the nearby city of New Orleans. 

This proximity to New Orleans has long been important to Abita Springs’ history. Back in the 19th century, Abita Springs earned a reputation for being a healing destination, thanks to physicians who hailed its spring waters as particularly medicinal. For years, especially during the Yellow Fever outbreak, it became a weekend respite for New Orleans folks seeking out the nearby area and its healing properties. This inadvertently helped propel Abita Springs into becoming one of Louisiana’s tourist destinations. 

However, this prosperity shortly came to pass when car travel became more common, and advances in epidemic disease control were made. New Orleans locals slowly stopped seeking Abita Springs for quick vacations in favor of other places. However, some of them felt so at home in the area that they soon became permanent residents who commuted to the city for work. 

Today, Abita Springs is no longer the grand resort destination in its heyday. It is more of a residential locale that has attracted artistic types drawn to its history and character. It still is a great destination for those seeking a quieter and more relaxed vacation and an even better home base for anglers looking to fish in the rich Northshore region.

Abita Springs Fishing 

Fishing in and around Abita Springs means having access to the vast Lake Pontchartrain. This waterbody is technically not a lake but an estuary fed by the rivers and bayous Northshore. Because it’s directly connected to the Gulf of Mexico, it’s populated by a diverse range of species. Its waters are brackish, with its west side primarily freshwater and its east side saltwater. And because it’s relatively shallow, it’s an ideal waterbody for fly fishing.  

From Mandeville, a city 15 minutes away from Abita Springs, anglers can find several ways to enjoy fishing in Lake Pontchartrain. One productive spot in the city is the Fontainebleau State Park. It has a fishing pier that offers good fishing, but if you want to practice wade-fishing, go straight to the shoreline near the dock's base. It’s a great spot to catch some redfish and speckled trout.

For productive fishing with a view of the sunset over Causeway Bridge, head to Sunset Point Fishing Pier. The best fishing happens at the very end of the pier facing the bridge, where you can target redfish, speckled trout, white trout, black drum, flounder, and Atlantic croaker. The rocky shorelines below the pier are quite a productive spot to fish.

If you’re heading to nearby Slidell, make a pit stop on the Highway 11 Bridge. There are plenty of fishing points here that only locals know about. You can fish for redfish and sheepshead from the shore or launch your boat from Trestles Boat Launch.  You can target speckled trout itself when they’re in season from the bridge.

Meanwhile, less than 30 minutes outside Abita Springs, you will find the city of Slidell. Here you can fish St. Tammany Fishing Pier or book one of the fishing charters that regularly head out to the lake. St. Tammany Fishing Pier juts out 650 feet into the lake, providing convenient access to the artificial reefs. The pier was built in the wake of Hurricane Katrina on the remaining parts of the Interstate 10 twin spans destroyed during the disaster. It’s a particularly productive place to fish because of Chef Pass and the Rigolets. Fishing here yields redfish, Atlantic croaker, black drum, sheepshead, and speckled trout. Do note that the pier is a multi-phase project and may be closed for construction from time to time.

Launch your boat or book a charter from the Rigolets Marina in Slidell if you want to widen your cast. This conveniently located boat launch allows anglers to access several water bodies, including Lake Borne, Lake Catherine, Lake Pontchartrain, and the Biloxi Marsh. From here, you can also reach the rigs and reefs of St. Tammany Parish, Orleans, and Dudley and the bridges around the area, notably  Highway 90, Highway 10, and Highway 11.

If you want to catch both freshwater and brackish water fish, then make your way to the Fairview-Riverside State Park in Madisonville. Here you can fish different parts of the Tchefuncte River and yield other species depending on where you cast a line. You can enjoy freshwater fishing for bass, bluegill, and white perch near the park area. At the river’s mouth,  where it meets the lake, you can catch redfish, speckled trout, and channel catfish. Two miles away from the park, you’ll find a public boat launch where you can access both the river and lake.

Top 10 Fish Species in Abita Springs, LA

The top 10 fish species to target in and near Abita Springs, LA are speckled trout, redfish, black drum, sheepshead, Atlantic croaker, bluegill, Southern flounder, channel catfish, largemouth bass, and white trout. 

Seasonal Fishing

Fishing in Abita Springs and the Northshore can be quite productive all year round, so the best time to fish in the area will depend on your choice of catch. Spring and summer are always the best seasons to fish, as fish tend to feed more actively when the waters are warm. April to June are great months to target redfish and black drum on the marshes and backwaters, but July and August can be rewarding if you don’t mind the heat and humidity. If you can’t make it in the summer, don’t worry because fall is still a spectacular season to fish. This is when redfish can be found in schools in the shallows. Winter may be a more challenging time to fish, but you might discover bull redfish and black drum in the shallows and flats around January.

Unique Charms Abound at Abita Springs

Abita Springs and the rest of the Northshore is a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of nearby New Orleans. It offers the same unique artistic vibe as its more popular neighbor but a more relaxed atmosphere.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Explore the best of Lake Pontchartrain with the expert guidance of a local who’ll take you to the best fishing holes in the grand estuary.

2. Sample the Local Brew

The Abita Brewing Company is a source of local pride for Abita Springs. This local brewery creates artisanal ales and lagers in limited batches to preserve their quality. You can sample their brews at the Tap Room and Visitor Center, where you can join guided tours with tastings. You can also go on your self-directed tour of the brewery.

3. Visit the Unique Abita Mystery House

The Abita Mystery House is another local pride, a quirky roadside attraction featuring some unique knick-knacks and objects from Louisiana. The attraction also has other peculiar features, including the ever-intriguing House of Shards.