Book Your Fishing Charter in Ashland, LA

Begin your exploration of Natchitoches Parish in the village of Ashland. Situated at the northernmost tip of the parish, this tight-knit community provides guests a unique entry point into this deeply historic region of Central Louisiana. The village land area is part of the bigger Natchitoches Micropolitan Statistical Area and is a few miles away from some of the region’s most interesting fishing spots. One of the most popular ones is the Red River, a dammed river system with quite a fascinating history in and of itself. Aside from the Red River, Ashland districts are dotted with more noteworthy spots that offer excellent fishery, guaranteeing a great time for anglers from all over the United States and beyond.

Ashland Fishing: Productive Fishing Spots in Central Louisiana

If you can only fit a few water bodies into your Central Louisiana itinerary, the Red River should be your top priority. Also known as the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, this excellent river is a beloved fishing hotspot in the south. The entire river system is conveniently divided into pools, with pools 3, 4, and 5 being the most popular. It has plenty of backwater areas that offer excellent fishing, and on calm summer days, the main river provides a stunning fishery. The catch of choice in this vast river system is largemouth bass, but the river does have an array of fish species like white bass, spotted bass, crappie, channel catfish, bluegill, and sunfish. There are several ways to access the river all over Central and Northern Louisiana, but you have two options to check out within the parish. Grand Ecore RV Park has its free-to-use boat launch and a floating pier for 16 boats. The other is Midway RV Park & Marina, which offers a dock for boaters who book an extended river trip. Be sure to phone the marina's customer service ahead of time to check for availability.

Cane River Lake is another largemouth bass fishing hotspot. It’s not surprising as the lake was once a part of the Red River. It is divided into two segments. The northern segment is shallow and murky, while the southern segment is deep with plenty of grass beds. There are three public boat launches where anglers can fish: one at Shell Beach, another on Natchitoches’ Washington Street, and the last on the lake’s southern edge.

There’s Sibley Lake in West Natchitoches for some great reservoir fishing and other water-based recreational activities; it offers 38 miles of shoreline and is a favorite outdoor spot for many locals. The lake is home to crappie, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. Other species that can be found semi-regularly in the water include hybrid striped bass, bluegill, and redear sunfish.

Travel Back in Time in Ashland

1. Know More About Creole Culture

Join 60-minute guided tours of the different historic plantations in Natchitoches Parish to gain notes, insight, and information into Creole life and culture. Some of the plantations you can visit in the area are the Oakland, Magnolia, and Melrose Plantations. The park has a gift shop/bookstore where you can shop for your souvenir needs. It has print media, original artwork, books and more.

Check ahead with the NPS customer service by phone or email for guided tours available on your visiting date. 

2. Take a Deep Dive into 18th Century Louisiana

Learn more about Louisiana in the 18th century by visiting two historic sites — the Los Adaes Historic Site and the Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site. Both detail the state’s Hispanic roots in genuinely immersive ways.