Basile, LA: A Charming Town Bustling With Activities

Basile is a small community of about 1,700 people in the southwest corner of Louisiana. The city is the 128th biggest in Louisiana and the 8092nd biggest in the United States. It was named after Basile Fontenot in 1905 and developed as a village in 1911, and then as a city in 1946.

Today, Basile is well known for some of the most mouthwatering Cajun cuisine in the state. It is also known for its Mardi Gras celebration, one of the biggest and most popular in Louisiana. The area hosts several festivals and events, such as the Crawfish Festival, Gumbo Cook-off, and LA Swine Festival. It is a great place to experience Cajun culture in Southern Louisiana.

The first thing you'll notice about Basile is how green everything is! It is due to the large number of farms located in the area. Additionally, there are many recreational areas such as Lakefront Park, Bayou Vista Park, and Lakeview Park.

Aside from the festivals and the scenery, fishing in Basile is one of the best in the country. Bayou Teche is one of Louisiana's most productive fishing waters. There are a variety of gamefish in the bayou, including catfish, bream, and bass. Several smaller streams and creeks are also good places to fish for trout and panfish.

Basile Fishing

Visitors are attracted to its water systems, including lakes and rivers and beautiful water sources. Its lakes and rivers make it perfect for paddling and fishing. Basile's proximity to the Gulf of Mexico makes it a popular fishing destination for several saltwater species, including tarpon, redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. If you're seeking a beautiful location to enjoy Louisiana's natural wonders, Basile is your place.

Basile is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts of all skill levels. With three main waterways in the town - Toledo Bend, Atchafalaya Basin, and Vermilion River - this town offers some of the best fishing in Louisiana. Toledo Bend is a great place to catch buffalo, catfish, and bream. The Atchafalaya Basin is an ideal fishing spot for bass, catfish, and crappie. At the same time, fishing at Vermilion River is a great way to catch catfish and bass. 

Locals and visitors love fishing by the levees around Lake Maurepas and Pontchartrain. The area is popular because there are many fish species to catch here, such as largemouth bass, alligator gar, and blue catfish. A levee is an excellent place if you're hoping to catch a big fish.

You can go fishing at Caney Lake if you want to try something different. The lake is located a few miles outside Basile, known for its bass fishing. Here, you can usually catch largemouth bass, catfish, and bream. Kayaking and canoeing are also great activities along the lake.

Check out Basile City Park if you're looking for a close-to-town fishing spot. There is a small lake in this park where you can catch bass, catfish, and bream. It's an excellent park for families to take their kids fishing, and there's plenty of space for them to run around.

Pontchartrain Lake occupies a large, wild water area between New Orleans and Mandeville. Although it's often known for its rough, windy conditions, its waters are also known for the excellent fish you can catch there. When fishing from shore, look for the cleanest waters and stay near marshy areas during high winds. The lake also offers excellent fishing and crabbing, and the water is shallow, so you can bring your kids fishing while they play at the nearby splash park.

Fontainebleau State Park and Rigolets Marina are also great places to visit on the south side of Pontchartrain Lake. The Fontainebleau State Park is ideal for camping out in your RV when visiting New Orleans and the surrounding area. Rigolets Marina is another great fishing spot conveniently located and accessible from all major streets in Slidell. Various bait shops are available in the area so fishing enthusiasts can restock their supplies.

North of Pontchartrain Lake is Bayou Castine. It is one of the best spots for largemouth bass, bluegill, and black crappie. Also, the bayou is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. Another fantastic spot of fishing for trout is Chef Menteur Pass, one of Louisiana's best spots for speckled trout.

Located south of Shreveport, Cross Lake offers calm and green waters that are great for catching Louisiana's famous largemouth black bass. Additionally, you can fish around the Ford Park on the south side of the lake, and there are local bait shops around the area where you can pick up your gear and get ready for a day of fishing.  

Caddo Lake lies northwest of Louisiana, north of Shreveport in Mooringsport. Dams were put in place in Caddo's expansive waters for flood control during the early 1900s. Today, the historic drawbridge in Mooringsport is a beautiful place to fish for largemouth bass. Caddo Lake has many trophy-size bass to be caught during the peak fishing period of March. The lake is also home to white perch, white bass, and sunfish year-round. While flathead, blue catfish, and channel catfish are present during certain seasons and provide good fishing opportunities.

In addition to recreational fishing, tournaments are held each year, including qualifiers for the Bassmaster Classic. Louisiana B.A.S.S. Nation organized these tournaments, a state chapter of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS). Some of these tournaments are open to out-of-state anglers as well.

Bassine's location makes it a convenient place for fishing, and with numerous motels, restaurants, and bait and tackle shops nearby, it's easy to spend the day here. Basile is worth adding to your list of fishing destinations regardless of your skill level.

Top 10 Fish Species in Basile, LA

The top 10 fish species found in Basile, LA, are alligator gar, green sunfish, bigmouth buffalo, black crappie, blue catfish, bluegill, bowfin, channel catfish, muskie, and warmouth.

Seasonal Fishing

Basile is a great place to go fishing year-round, but the best time for angling depends on what the angler wants out of the trip since there are many possibilities.

The spring and summer are ideal times to fish in the marshes for redfish as the weather tends to be more predictable and winds can be calm. As marsh grass grows, bull redfish tailing, backing, belly crawling, and cruise in shallow clear water lakes and ponds. Black drum and jack crevalle are abundant in shallow waters, tailing and backing as they feed. Additionally, you'll find alligator gar floating around and presenting a fun challenge on the fly.

During fall's cool and calm days, fishing opportunities abound. Bull redfish and jack crevalle are more common during this time, making it a great time to fish deep channels. Fall tends to be the busiest season; charters are often booked quickly and well in advance, so planning your trip is always a sensible idea.

Anglers may find several opportunities to catch speckled trout during the winter, especially in the canals and lower parts of the rivers. This fish is feeding heavily in anticipation of the upcoming cold weather. Winter is also a hectic season and is often booked months in advance.

Get To Know the Vibrant Culture of Basile

1. Explore Lake D’Arbonne State Park

Lake D'Arbonne is a state park located in Union Parish, near Farmerville. The park offers hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, boating, bird watching, hunting, and horseback riding, among other activities.

2. Be Mesmerized by the Fall Foliage Color

From September to November, the leaves turn a beautiful shade of yellow, orange, red, brown, and purple. Many visitors make a memorable trip to Basile to see these vibrant colors.

3. Take a Tour of the Nearby Plantations

Basile is home to numerous plantations. The Destrehan Plantation, Houmas House Plantation, Nottoway Plantation, and Shadows-on-the-Teche are a few. A visit to a Louisiana plantation offers the opportunity to learn about the history of slavery.