You can find the quaint community of Arcadia in north-central Louisiana’s Piney Hills Country within the Bienville Parish area. With the highest elevation compared to other municipalities in the state, it lives up to its ancient Greek name, which means ‘beautiful hills.’ With tons of waterways surrounding the area, anglers will find plenty of chances to score various freshwater species in Arcadia.
Aside from fishing, the region is also known for being a sportsman’s paradise as it boasts excellent hunting action. Deer and turkey are the main draws for those keen on catching wildlife. Arcadia also offers more fun and exciting attractions such as an eighteen-hole golf course, museums, restaurants, antique shops, and bluegrass music. It is also where the notorious criminals, Bonnie and Clyde, were ambushed and killed in the 1930s.
Arcadia is a great place if you’re looking for a fishing destination that offers a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. Whether you’re fishing from the banks or casting your line from a boat, you’ll be able to hook many freshwater game.
You can find Saline Bayou in Arcadia’s east and south. The bald cypress and other hardwood trees lining the 19-mile river’s banks make it an ideal spot for peaceful and scenic angling. Fish species in its calm waters include largemouth bass, white perch, redear sunfish, black crappie, white crappie, bigmouth buffalo, bluegill, and flathead catfish. You can fish from its banks, wade through shallow areas, or opt to launch your boat on any of the available boat ramps. In and around the National Wild and Scenic River, you can also canoe, boat, hunt, camp, hike, and take photos.
You’ll come upon Blake Lake Creek or Black Lake Bayou to the west. You can find fish like largemouth bass, striped bass, white crappie, blue catfish, and channel catfish. There are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white perch, bluegill, channel catfish, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, and chain pickerel in the Boggy Branch area.
If you venture further north from Arcadia, you’ll get the chance to fish from Lake Claiborne. It is stocked with tons of freshwater fish such as largemouth bass, striped bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, chain pickerel, and bream. You can also find and fish for spotted bass, yellow bass, flathead catfish, blue catfish, flier sunfish, green sunfish, longear sunfish, redear sunfish, warmouth, bowfin, and spotted gar. Around the lake, you can find several boat docks and piers which will accommodate you whether you want to fish inland or out the water. There are also boat and fishing gear rental services readily available for your convenience. The lake offers excellent lake cabin lodgings and outdoor camping.
The famous criminal couple, Bonnie and Clyde, were ambushed and killed near Arcadia by local and Texan law enforcement officers in 1934. You can find and visit where that event happened on Louisiana State Highway 154 between Gibsland and Sailes. You can also see a museum themed around the couple in nearby Gibsland.
You’ll find Arcadia in Bienville Parish, a fishing and hunting paradise; its diverse lakes, woody areas, and hills make it an excellent hunting ground for deer and turkey. Louisiana is also known for good alligator, rabbit, and waterfowl populations. If you’re keen on hunting, head to wildlife management areas or forests. It’s important to ensure you have your hunting license and permits in order and check local rules and regulations.