Bogalusa, LA Fishing: Fishing in the Magic City

The city of Bogalusa is located in West Parish in east Louisiana. The city sits right on the state’s border with Mississippi. It is also the Bogalusa Micropolitan Statistical Area’s principal city. The statistical area includes a large part of the New Orleans–Metairie–Hammond combined statistical area and all of West Parish. Bogalusa, one of the state's newest towns, was incorporated in 1914. Frank Henry Goodyear and Charles Waterhouse Goodyear, two Buffalo, New York lumber barons, founded it. The Goodyears built the city to house their lumber companies, sawmill workers, supervisors, and associated infrastructure. The city piqued the interest of those in the lumber, timber, and wood industry because it possessed acres of virgin Longleaf pine forests. Bogalusa’s name was derived from the Choctaw term ‘bogue lusa,’ which translates to ‘dark water’ or ‘smoky water.’ 

This city of pine forests and flowing waters have long been well-designed, as its creation already catered to commercial and residential interests. It already had hotels, schools, hospitals, and churches of all faiths in its first year. Because of its rapid construction and development, it was praised as the ‘Magic City.’ Aside from its promising potential as a developed tourist destination, Bogalusa also has the advantage of being located in one of the most scenic rural parishes in the state — a beautiful countryside of rolling hills, pine forests, waterways, and rural backroads. Those who want to experience the city’s offerings for fishing can come to Bogalusa and experience both tranquil and thrilling ways to reel fish in its rivers and creeks.

Bogalusa Fishing

Bogalusa contains and is near a good deal of waterways, making it the perfect place for anglers to have a peaceful and picturesque fishing experience in Louisiana’s ‘boot.’ Whether it’s angling onshore or offshore, one can find plenty of choices in and around the Magic City.

The city was instituted where the waters of Bogue Lusa Creek flow into the Pearl River. The creek runs horizontally through the middle of the city. The best way to access the stream is from Cassidy Park in the central west and where it meets with the Pearl River near the Louisiana-Mississippi border in the east. It holds freshwater fish such as largemouth bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, bluegill, chain pickerel, and black crappie. Most anglers fishing from its waters use baitcasting, spinning, or a combination of rods to catch their targets. Bank fishing for bass is popular among anglers who want to reel fish from the creek. 

Anglers already fishing from Bogue Lusa Creek also have the great opportunity to fish from Pearl River. The river’s Middle Reach or West Middle Pearl section can be accessed from the city’s east as it straddles the Louisiana-Mississippi border. The 490-mile-long river is home to a vast array of freshwater and saltwater species; the middle section has species such as gizzard shad, threadfin shad, longear sunfish, bluegill, largemouth bass, spotted bass, rock bass, shadow bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, white crappie, black crappie, bowfin, inland silverside, brook silversides, golden shiners, redear sunfish, green sunfish, American eel, warmouth, alligator gar, longnose gar, carp, bigmouth buffalo, and gulf logperch. The Pearl River is a popular place for electrofishing, which marine biologists use to collect fish from freshwater bodies. Anglers who come to fish in the river primarily target largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. This is because those species in the river often grow at great lengths. Bream anglers could use cricket, red wigglers, and waxworms in slack water areas to catch fish like bluegill and sunfish. For catfish anglers, tightlining cut-up bait or liver along the outside edge of the deep river bends with rock or wood has been proven effective. Jugs and trotlines are also popularly used. For those who want to reel in crappie, look for cypress knees and laydowns near deep water and use jigs and minnows. Bass fishing in the river is best in areas with brush and trees. Recommended baits and lures for bass are junebug-colored soft plastics, shad-colored crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater plugs. Those who want to catch the elusive American eel can find them hidden in log jams and crevices during daylight hours. Fish like bowfin, carp, buffalo, catfish, gar, and shad can be caught using a bow and arrow, crossbow, spear, or gig. Boat anglers can launch their vessels from six boat ramps in the river’s middle section. Some parts of the river have a strong current, so a strong trolling motor is always helpful.

To the northeast of Bogalusa is Bateman Lake. The 20-acre lake is ideal for a more relaxed fishing experience. It houses largemouth bass and bluegill. It should be noted that it has a lot of sandbars, and the water levels may be too low. Boats can be used to navigate its expanse. Peters Lake can be found just to the south of Bateman Lake. There, anglers can find plenty of crappie. 

The Rotary Club of Bogalusa has recently initiated its angling competition called the Annual Team Bass Fishing Tournament. The event acts as a fundraiser as they team up with the Pearl River Single Recruit to raise donations to fight polio, give to the Bogalusa Food Bank, and fund scholarships and small community projects. Those who catch big bass have the chance to win cash prizes. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Bogalusa, LA

The top 10 fish species found in Bogalusa, LA, are largemouth bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, blue catfish, bluegill, black crappie, white crappie, spotted bass,  bowfin, and redear sunfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Bream species such as bluegill, redear, green, and longear sunfish are active in late spring and summer. Largemouth bass, rock bass, and spotted bass are available year-round. Different techniques, baits, and lures are used to entice them in the winter and summer versus spring and fall. For most species, summer is the best time for fishing. This can apply to catfish, crappie, and carp.

Venturing in Bogalusa

With road, rail, and air access, coming to Bogalusa and experiencing everything it offers is easy.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Bogalusa provides access to many fishing spots, including the renowned and expansive Pearl River. Booking a fishing charter can help anglers unfamiliar with the area effectively navigate and fish from local waters. A boat rental service might be available for those who don’t own water vessels. There might also be shops that sell bait and tackle.

2. Visit a Significant Civil Rights Site

One can find the Robert Hicks House in the city. It is where Deacons for Defense and Justice chapter leader and civil rights leader Bob Hicks held meetings that talked about and helped their cause. The house was built in the early 1950s, similar in style to ranch houses and bungalows constructed between the 30s and 50s. In 2015, it was included in the National Register of Historic Places. The property also consists of a mill house built in 1906 and used by the Great Southern Lumber Company.

3. Lounge Around Nature

Cassidy Park is a must-visit because it showcases Bogalusa’s scenic rural charm. One can relax and play around in its playgrounds and pavilions or partake in outdoor recreation and nature preservation among its greenery. The park is open to the public from 8 AM to 8 PM. Athletic fields, training facilities, and sports facilities can also be found in its vicinity. Fishing access to Bogue Lusa Creek is also available. On occasion, the Bogalusa Parks Recreation and Culture Commission will hold events at the park that are often open to the general public.