Bonita, LA Fishing: Angling Opportunities Near a Quaint Louisianian Village

One can find the small village of Bonita in the north of Morehouse Parish in northern Louisiana. It is one of the four villages in the parish named after Colonel Abraham Morehouse, who served in the Revolutionary War. Because of its small area, the village only has a few hundred residents. It is also included in the Bastrop Micropolitan Statistical Area. The village was established in the early 1980s when the existing state and national railroad was extended to the current location. Since 1980, a post office has been in operation in Bonita. This means there were already those who resided in that village as early as that year. 

Bonita and the surrounding villages and cities within the parish are fantastic places for those seeking a quieter and calmer place for their next excursion. Even though the village and the other surrounding cities are small in both area and numbers, it still has a heart and sense of community that cannot be found in big cities. Bonita can be a terrific place to stop for anglers because it can be an amazing starting point for finding the best spots to fish in the wider vicinity. Several bayous, lakes, and rivers are situated around Bonita, so anglers will surely have plenty of areas to choose where to hook their next catch.

Bonita Fishing

Bayous, lakes, and rivers can be found around Bonita’s vicinity. So for those looking for inshore, offshore, peaceful, or action-packed fishing, there are enough spots to go around the village.

The first stop is Bayou Bonne Idee. Its northernmost section is located in the eastern part of Bonita, which can be accessed from either Bonne Idee Road or Par Road 0027. The narrow stream and its dam (located in the south, outside the village) house freshwater fish such as largemouth bass, white crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, bluegill, green sunfish, and bigmouth buffalo. This waterway is a great spot for bank fishing because of its size. But anglers can also navigate parts of the bayou by boat. Common methods used to catch the fish in its waters range from baitcasting, spinning, and jigging. Most anglers will target huge crappie that the stream produces by pitching and swimming hair jigs in and around treetops. The best colors to use for those types of lures are a combination of black and chartreuse or gray and chartreuse. Live bait or cut bait is also very effective. Bream species like bluegill are also popular targets because they grow into large sizes and are fantastic fish for cooking and eating. There is plenty of catfish, but they are relatively on the smaller side. 

Bonita is situated between two Horseshoe Lakes to its north and south for those who want to do some lake fishing. Both lakes are home to a ton of fish and game fish, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, yellow bass, white bass, striped bass, black crappie, flathead catfish, black bullhead, brown bullhead, yellow bullhead, cisco, whitefish, muskellunge, northern pike, bluegill, redear sunfish, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, white perch, rough fish, round goby, ruffe, lake trout, walleye, and sauger. There are also lake sturgeon, shovelnose sturgeon, and paddlefish found in the lakes’ waters, but those species are not allowed to be caught. Because both lakes are connected to their respective bayous through a narrow channel, their water levels fluctuate. The lakes’ waters remain pretty clear throughout the year but can become muddy during rainy periods. It’s important to check for the weather and water conditions before planning to fish the lakes by boat. Both lakes are popular areas for tightlining crappie. Tipping a jig with a small shiner will also yield amazing results. Docks and marinas are available for use that line the lakes’ shores.

Angling in Bonita offers a chance for people to be able to fish in the longest bayou in the world, Bayou Bartholomew. The bayou runs for 364 miles between Arkansas and Louisiana. A good portion of the bayou is accessible from the village's west side—North America's second most diverse stream, with over 100 aquatic species. Bayou Bartholomew is known for its excellent crappie, bream, and catfish fishing. The specific game fish anglers can spot in the bayou are largemouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, yellow bullhead, black crappie, redear sunfish, bluegill, and garfish. Bait and lures such as minnows, jigs, spinners, and light tackle fishing equipment are recommended for those targeting crappie and bream. Bottom fishing for catfish using worms, minnows, and stink baits is commonplace. The easiest way to spot sport and game fish in the bayou is to look for migratory birds hunting among the cypress and tupelo trees. Those using 16 feet or longer vessels must have a throwable life preserver (type IV) aboard. Anglers fishing with children 12 and under must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket, and anyone on a vessel must have one ready to use in an emergency. Those in canoes and paddleboats are not allowed to have glass containers aboard. If they have coolers, those must always be securely fastened. Bringing beverages is permitted, but having litter containers and floating holders is a must.

Those who can travel further out of the village can head east to Louisiana’s border with Mississippi, where the Mississippi River is situated. There, one can expand their fishing trip with an opportunity for saltwater fishing and sport fishing if one wants to take a break from targeting abundant freshwater game fish. Following the river until it reaches the Gulf Coast can give any angler a chance to catch big fish such as sailfish, marlin, mackerel, wahoo, yellowtail, and more.

Top 10 Fish Species in Bonita, LA

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

Seasonal Fishing

The best month to fish for bass species is  April, when they start spawning in north Louisiana. The prime time for crappie fishing is in February and March. But one can also find plenty of these fish in April when they spawn simultaneously as bass. For those who want to hook catfish, the best time to search for them is in late spring and early summer, when they spawn. There can be an abundance of them until August. Bluegill and sunfish fishing is fantastic from May through September. Before planning a fishing trip to Bonita, have the required fishing license and follow local fishing regulations. Look up a local fishing report to determine if fishing conditions are good.

Out and About in Bonita

Bonita offers a unique perspective compared to other areas in Louisiana because of its understated yet charming atmosphere. It also has the advantage of being near the Louisiana-Arkansas border, where people can further explore what these Southern American states can offer.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Because of Bonita’s advantageous location near known fishing spots, anglers can choose to book a fishing charter to enhance their angling excursions further. Booking a fishing charter will ensure one can fish from the best places and navigate them effectively. A boat rental service may be acquired in areas where boating is possible. 

2. Relaxation and Recreation in Nature

In the nearby city of Bastrop, to the west of Bonita, one can venture into Chemin-A-Haut State Park. It's perched on a high bluff with a view of Bayou Bartholomew. Because of its natural beauty, it is regarded as a natural paradise. Guests can take advantage of the park's amenities, including camping, swimming, and picnicking. There is a trail that follows the scenic banks of the bayou where one can go hiking or horseback riding. People can also rent boats and waterfront cabins that provide easy and private access to fishing spots. 

3. Check Out a Historic House

The Snyder House, now known as the Snyder Memorial Museum and Creative Arts Center, can be found in the nearby city of Bastrop. It was built in 1929 and was added to the sites on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. It was the residence of prominent locals, Charles and Esther Snyder. The house is difficult to describe stylistically because of its mix of architectural design that incorporates English, Italian, and Mediterranean styles.