Baker, LA Fishing: A Place to Call Home in East Baton Rouge

In the 1800s, Baker was a small town of early settlers from Europe. Baker is in the middle of East Baton Rouge Parish. Its borders include Zachary city and Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. Baker's territory spans 8.3 square miles of land, which is excellent for plantations and cattle.

Later on, the town got its name after Josephus Baker due to his contributions to the establishment of Baker city. The city also saw rapid development with increased residential housing construction and metal processing and furniture manufacturing facilities. As of the 2020 US Census, Baker has a population of 12,455 residents or about 3,000 families living in the city. Most of Baker's population are non-Hispanic Black Americans. 

Along with other cities in Louisiana, Baker city is known for festivals full of music and food. The Baker Buffalo Festival is held annually during the last weekend of September. What started as a fundraiser in 1993 for the construction of Baker schools, the festival is now a tradition loved by Baker residents. The Festival Committee still contributes to the activities of Baker schools after collecting the revenues from the festival activities such as pageants, car shows, and parades. 

Fishing in Baker city could also prove to be a thrilling experience. It is connected to several streams and offers classic bayou scenery for anglers. If you are eager to fish on the east side of Louisiana, then Baker City might be the place for you.

Baker Fishing 

Although Baker's territory is primarily land, many connected streams to the city are connected. One good stream that you can fish in is the Baker Canal. The Canal has an average depth of 18 meters, and anglers can access it via Alsen Park. Anglers frequently report that black drum, red snapper, sheepshead, tripletail, and blue catfish are abundant in the Baker Canal. These fish thrive on lazy waters and are primarily bottom feeders. So make sure to bring reels of fishing line for your bait to reach the water columns of Baker Canal.

If you want to fish where there are people who can guide and accompany you in Baker, try Greenwood Community Park. The Park is among Baker's nearby streams. Anglers can access the Park's 18-acre lake in Baker, and they have nearby stores selling fishing supplies and tackle. 

Fishing in Greenwood Community Park is allowed from Monday until Friday. Locals have reported an abundance of redfish, sea trout, and alligator gar from the lake of Greenwood Community Park. These fish often give a challenge on the line when they get hooked. If you prefer catching these fish, then Greenwood Community Park might be the place to fish when you visit Baker. Make sure to stock up on live bait and carry a Louisiana Fishing license with you. If you do not have a fishing license, the Park's authorities may bar you from entering the lake with your fishing boat. 

If you are looking for a classic bayou fishing experience, you can head to Brushy Bayou. The bayou has red mangrove trees covering the area, so you do not have to worry about the Louisiana heat coming down when you fish. You can access Brushy Bayou at the end of a small hiking trail in Tallulah near Baker, or you can access it via canoe or kayak. Locals have reported an abundance of Florida gar and largemouth bass from the bayou's waters. Before entering this bayou, practicing paddling skills and boat maneuverability are a must because of the many underwater structures that may block your path. The bayou's currents may sometimes increase their speed and set your boat adrift, so carry a map with you. 

Since many of the abundant fish in Baker are bottom feeders, locals frequently use bottom fishing. This technique is suitable for bottom-feeding fish that appear near the shore or offshore. You can try this technique even if your boat is drifting or anchored. 

A slightly sizeable live bait is more effective when bottom fishing because the current will not quickly wash it away. Also, live bait gives off pungent odors that would attract the fish to come up to the water to intercept your bait. Most of the fish below the water columns have smaller jaws, so they cannot consume your bait all at once. Their bites will attract other fish to your bait, increasing your chances of getting an excellent bottom-feeding fish. 

You can try this technique in Baker Canal or a lake because they have deeper water columns and more bottom-feeding fish. Make sure to equip a fishing line long enough to reach the deepwater columns and strong enough to hold the fish caught in the hook while you are pulling it towards your boat. If you bring fishing lines with a light tackle, there is a high chance your line will snap when you pull the fish from the surface. 

When fishing in Baker, you would notice that other anglers travel light. They frequently use the light tackle fishing technique because it gives them more space and maneuverability in their boats. Fishing in Baker would mean dodging underwater structures and taking sharp turns in streams, making light tackle suitable. When you try this technique, you should aim for smaller fish and have good angler skills. Since you would be using lighter equipment such as a finer fishing line, the currents will drag it frequently to where the fish are.  

Top 10 Fish Species in Baker, LA

The top 10 fish species to catch in Baker, LA, are redfish, sea trout, alligator gar, Florida gar, largemouth bass, black drum, red snapper, sheepshead, tripletail, and blue catfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Baker, LA allows fishing activities for the whole year, as long as you bring a state fishing license. Depending on the local authorities, there will be a limit on how much fish you can catch and get ashore if you are fishing recreationally. So it is best to check first with the local rules governing the fishing hole you are planning to fish in. 

You would experience many catches from June until September when fishing in Baker. These months are when fish are more active during the day because they search for spawn mates or warm places to lay eggs. Also, the sun's light makes the water clearer. Longer days and high fishing activity are the recipes for fishing success, so carefully prepare your tackle and scout your fishing locations in Baker. 

See the Beauty of the East Side of Baton Rouge

When you are not fishing in Baker, exploring the city is an excellent way to make the most out of your vacation. These sites fill anglers with scenic views that your family and friends can enjoy. 

1. Alsen Park

 Take a stroll through 19.85 acres of land in Alsen Park with beautiful scenery of mowed grass and colorful trees. The Park is open for visitors and offers plenty of space for family bonding activities. You can let your children play in the Park that has a playground. You can also use their sports facilities if you are fond of playing tennis and basketball. It is open from Monday until Friday. 

2. Houmas House Plantation & Gardens

The Houmas House Plantation and Gardens offer historical tours. It is an original manor house of the Houmas Estates that is still standing since 1774. They have accommodations, a gift shop, and a famous pathway to the turtle barn. 

3. Frazier's Homestead

If you are more into the farming lifestyle and not public parks, you can visit Frazier's Homestead. The homestead, established in 2006, boasts 100 acres of land and has plenty of space for fun activities for your children. They offer horseback riding and summer camps if you plan on staying on the homestead for a day or two.