Bastrop, LA Fishing: Local Community Spirit

Bastrop is located central west of Morehouse Parish and 22 miles northeast of Monroe, Louisiana. It serves as the government seat and largest city, with more than 11,000 residents. The city’s economy predominantly revolves around rice farming, potato shipping, cotton production, and forestry. Hunting, camping, sport fishing, shopping, and picnicking are the locals' primary and favorite recreational pastimes in Bastrop. The city supports its arts, culture, and history, with museums displaying information and artifacts relating to local lifestyles from the early 20th century and the Civil War.

The city of Bastrop was founded by and named after the Dutch Businessman Felipe Enrique Neri, also known as Baron de Bastrop. He was an accused embezzler who fled to Louisiana to escape prosecution. The state was then a Spanish colony, where Neri owned the land and is known for his money in the Anglo-American settlement of Texas. Bastrop was officially incorporated in 1852 and was then the center for the commercial and industrial sector of Morehouse Parish. Today, Bastrop remains resilient and innovative with the constant technological evolutions and strives to strengthen its community’s spirit.

Many bayous, creeks, and streams allow productive freshwater fishing in Bastrop. Sportfishing is one of the main pastimes of locals in the area, and many bigger lakes around the city support the community’s need for more variety of game catches.

Bastrop Fishing

Many locals of Bastrop love to fish for pastimes, whether on a break from work or a weekend fishing trip. Fortunately, Louisiana waters are great natural habitats that nurture a variety of species in its fisheries. The state also aims to remain a paradise for anglers in future generations. Bastrop, for example, has many small streams like Jordan Creek, Cypress Bayou, Bayou Bartholomew, Horse Bayou, Delemar Bayou, Papaw Bayou, and Staulkinghead Creek running in and around Bastrop, allowing year-round freshwater recreational fishing.

North of Bastrop, Bussey Brake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) can be found. It is the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries' newest WMA (LDWF). In 2013, the International Paper Company donated the WMA's 2,600-acre property to LDWF. The property includes a 2,200-acre reservoir known as the Bussey Brake, used for the company's mill in Bastrop's emergency water supply. However, the mill was no longer operational in 2010. Bussey Brake has always been fishable and was open for public use even when privately owned. The International Paper wanted it to remain accessible to anglers, hence the donation of the land. 

Bussey Brake was first created in a forested area in the 1950s. It served anglers with good fishing experience for many years, but the reservoir’s productivity declined and caused sportfishing to suffer. Now, Bussey Brake is a WMA, and the state wants to protect the wildlife and preserve the reservoir’s water quality for generations to come. The reservoir was renovated, almost draining the lake and removing the existing fish species to create boat lanes and three new fishing piers, boat dock, and wave break. The three-lane concrete boat launching access can be found in the north parking lot of the reservoir. A dirt launch site that is more suitable for kayaks is located in the south parking lot. Aquatic vegetation in the lake’s bed was also strengthened to support a new habitat for fish. The LDWF wanted to focus on and prioritize recreational fishing primarily. In 2017, the stocking of fish species began, and some of the species include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish. With these improvements, anglers can have the best fishing experience while fly fishing or drift fishing in Bussey Brake. Anglers must note that some fishing regulations in Bussey Brake are different from Louisiana regulations, so it is encouraged to check and be updated before enjoying a day of fishing. Largemouth bass is the sought-after primary game in the reservoir. They are structure-oriented, and due to their aggressive feeding patterns, any live bait works for them, including non-fish species such as earthworms, leeches, crickets, and frogs. For artificial baits, use crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerk baits, topwater, jigs, soft plastic lures, and plastic worms for excellent results.

Ouachita Wildlife Management Area is found in the west of Bastrop. The WMA  and its 10,989-acre area provide many recreational activities, including hunting, wildlife viewing, camping,  and fishing; lakes and ponds created within the reclaimed agricultural tract support freshwater fishing to local and visiting anglers. Largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, and crappie can be caught in the reservoirs. To the WMA’s west, the 605-mile-long Ouachita River runs to the south and east, passing through Arkansas and Louisiana. The river also allows productive fly fishing and other fishing forms along its banks. Largemouth bass, bluegill, white bass, spotted bass, blue catfish, channel catfish, redear sunfish, smallmouth bass, flathead catfish, crappie, bowfin, striped bass, warmouth, common carp, chain pickerel, and rainbow trout are all scattered throughout the extensive river.

To the west of Bastrop, Boeuf River is located. It is a tributary of the Ouachita River from the south of Arkansas and Louisiana U.S. states. The river runs for about 216 miles long. Its name means “ox” from its etymological French word, “bœuf.” Many birds and ducks are found along the river, allowing visitors to do birdwatching and hunting. Anglers can fly fish from the banks of the river. Some fish species found here include smallmouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, redear sunfish, and bluegill.

Top 10 Fish Species in Bastrop, LA

The top 10 fish species in Bastrop are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, redear sunfish, chain pickerel, striped bass, flathead catfish, blue catfish, and channel catfish.

Seasonal Fishing

The numerous water bodies in Bastrop and Louisiana offer exciting fishing opportunities to all anglers throughout the year; March and April are the peak spawning season for largemouth bass. Bluegill, a prolific fish in the state, is prey to most bigger fish. This is why they remain covered in sheltered areas. They can be hard to find but easy to catch once found.

In Bussey Brake, there is a daily creel limit of 25 crappie, all of which should not be less than 10 inches in length. For bream like bluegill and redear sunfish, there is a limit of 50 fish a day. 

Spend a Day of Sports in Bastrop

1. Book a Fishing Guide

Get to know everything about fishing in Waltham; it doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner or an expert. Everything that you need to know will be in the guide! You don’t have to worry about anything else but the things you have to take along with you. Book a fishing guide now and enjoy fishing the day away!

2. Morehouse Country Club

Morehouse Country Club, located near Bastrop, provides spectacular views and challenging play for golfers of all ability levels. Morehouse Country Club's well-kept fairways and greens keep the course challenging yet friendly, and the staff may provide advice on how to play your best round. Morehouse Country Club is a fantastic place to play golf regularly or as a new location for you and your pals while visiting Bastrop.

3. Bastrop Fitness Lodge

Visit Bastrop Fitness Lodge, where you can find a wonderful place to work out. The area has a good layout for their exercise machines. It includes a yoga room and a physical therapy section where you can improve or regain your strength, balance, and flexibility. The atmosphere you get here is comfortable because of the amazing trainers and the friendly and personable staff members. Come to the Fitness Lodge today and have a wonderful time!