Book Your Fishing Charter in Boyce, LA

Start exploring the Crossroads of Louisiana in the quaint town of Boyce, a lovely community north of Rapides Parish. It offers a unique entry point to the greater Alexandria Metropolitan area and the rest of Central Louisiana, a region that melds the best of both North and South Louisiana. Its cities and communities are filled with prairies, pine hills, forests, streams, and a smattering of historic landmarks and contemporary sights and sounds. Rapides Parish, in particular, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. The parish has instant access to the Red River, the state’s second-biggest stream and one of its major fishing destinations. Apart from this excellent river, the region features a range of other rivers and lakes, many of which provide opportunities for fishing and other scenic outdoor activities.

Boyce Fishing: Topnotch Bass Fishing in Central Louisiana

For anglers eager to fish in the Red River, Boyce and many places in Rapides Parish offer great access to this excellent waterbody. The Red River is considered one of the top bass-fishing destinations in the state and the United States and can be accessed from Shreveport to Simmesport in Louisiana alone. Anglers like to fish the river in its many productive backwaters, oxbow lakes, and canals, though the main river area can be quite abundant with largemouth bass and catfish during the warmer seasons. Find the bass near the structure, cover, and target catfish at the bottom. A portion of the river is open for fishing at the Boyce Recreational Area on Ryan Street, which has two boat launches, bank fishing spots, and grills.

One of the parish’s primary lakes, Buhlow Lake, is located less than 20 minutes outside Boyce in Pineville. Anglers can access it via Fort Buhlow Lake, which has boating, racing, and fishing amenities. The lake is regularly stocked with channel catfish and is home to largemouth bass and bluegill.

Another good bass-fishing waterbody in the parish is Cotile Lake. It is quite a popular lake, so it experiences heavy fishing pressure. It holds plenty of healthy bass though it does not have a lot of trophies. Other fish you may find in the lake include crappie, bluegill, and other panfish.

Kincaid Reservoir or Lake Kincaid is nestled within the Kisatchie National Forest, the state’s only national forest, less than 10 miles from Boyce. The lake receives stockings of sun perch, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Other fish you can target in the lake include gar, chain pickerel, white bass, and yellow bass. 

Another lake you can fish in the Kisatchie National Forest is Valentine Lake. It is a little out of the way, so be prepared to do some exploring to get here. Motorized boats are not allowed on the lake so you can expect a peaceful time fishing there.

If you still can’t get enough of solitary fishing, seek out Indian Creek Reservoir, situated outside Woodworth in the Alexander State Forest. The hidden reservoir is home to fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, and striped bass. The best time to fish in the reservoir is in February, during the pre-spawn stages.

Fall in Love with the Outdoors in Boyce

1. Explore a Portion of Louisiana’s Only National Forest

The Calcasieu Ranger District’s Evangeline Unit is accessible within Rapides Parish. This area offers 97,000 acres of outdoor fun, with facilities for biking, camping, fishing, hiking, horse-riding, picnicking, and other water activities that the entire family can enjoy.

2. Enjoy Water Skiing and Other Water Sports

The Cotile Lake Campground and Recreation Area houses some of the best recreational facilities in the region. It is a popular place among campers, but one of its distinct highlights is its large swimming zone and water skiing area.