Book Your Fishing Charter in Cankton, LA

Drive to the southern tip of South Central Louisiana on the scenic Highway 93 and find yourself in the beautifully quaint village of Cankton. One of the many postcard-pretty communities in St. Landry Parish, Cankton offers visitors an excellent off-the-beaten respite just miles off Opelousas and Lafayette. It’s likewise a marvelous home base for anglers eager to explore the freshwater fishing spots in this part of Louisiana.

Cankton Fishing: Fun Freshwater Fishing Adventure from Spring to Fall

The rural parish of St. Landry has several hidden treasures for anglers who don’t mind going out of their way and discovering less-trodden paths on their fishing trip. Many of these spots are easily accessible from Cankton. 

One of these quintessential Louisiana fishing spots is Bayou Teche. It is considered the most popular bayou in the parish and the rest of the state because of its beautiful vistas. From within the parish, anglers can access the bayou via different paddle trail access points. The many structures it holds highlight the bayou, making it a fantastic fishing spot. These structures attract plenty of fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, gar, and sunfish. It is a favorite fishing spot for club anglers and experts who flock to the water as early as February, a great time of the year to catch early spawning largemouth bass. Night fishing is not allowed in the bayou refuge, so schedule your trip during daylight hours.

Eunice City Lake sits west of Eunice and is a 24/7 recreational area. Only recently renovated and reopened, the city lake has facilities to make your fishing adventure comfortable and convenient. It has a concrete boat launch and a dock space for a couple of boats. Motor boats are commonly used in the lake, though paddle crafts have steadily become the vessel of choice in recent years. The waterbody is also open for bank fishing. It is home to many fish species, including stocked trophy bass, bullhead catfish, white perch, garfish, and shad.

Lake Dubuisson on I-49 is a 200-acre man-made lake that has locals abuzz. It is the highlight of the interstate's rest stop and has since become a favorite secret location among residents and frequent South Central LA visitors. The site features boat launches and shallow shorelines, making it an excellent spot for fishing. To fish in peace away from all the recreational boaters and swimmers, head to the farther shorelines, where you can catch plenty of bass, sac-a-lait, and other Louisiana favorites.

Discover St. Landry’s Rich Beauty in Cankton

1. Visit Unique Museums

St. Landry Parish features many fascinating must-see museums that tell stories one would never normally read in textbooks. One is The Louisiana Orphan Train Museum in Cankton’s neighborhood, Opelousas. The museum tells the story of the orphan train riders, over 200,000 orphaned children transported to the midwest to be matched with Catholic foster families.

Another fascinating museum in the parish located in Grand Coteau is Le Petite Musee, a museum dedicated to the story of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, a school founded by Sisters Eugenie Audé and Mary Layton.

2. Go Restaurant-Hopping on Your Bike

Have a great time with a like-minded group of fun- and food-loving cyclists on the Cycle Zydeco, a trail that runs throughout the parish. The goal of the cycle is not just to enjoy the vistas but to take the time to make pit stops at all the wonderful food spots along the way.