Boyce, LA Fishing: Excellent Access to one of Louisiana’s Top Bass Fisheries

Boyce is a small town located north of Rapides Parish in Central Louisiana. It is part of the larger Alexandria Metropolitan area, comprising the parish of Rapides and Grant. Before it was officially organized, it was called Cotile Landing. When the site was turned into a terminal point for the Texas and Pacific Railroad, it was renamed Boyce, after the Irish owner of the land, Judge Henry Boyce. 

Boyce is an excellent entry point to the region’s unique beauty as a quaint spot in Central Louisiana. It offers a nice alternative to the more popular spots in Louisiana, such as New Orleans. Considered the “crossroads of Louisiana,” the state’s central region is characterized by its sights’ diversity, combining the best of North Louisiana and South Louisiana. It is dotted with prairies, pine hills, forests, and streams, as well as historic landmarks and contemporary sights and sounds.

The parish in which Boyce belongs is a fantastic destination for outdoor lovers, particularly those who like to be in the water. Rapides Parish takes its name from the Red River, a vast water body flowing north of Alexandria. The state’s second-largest stream is known as a major saltwater fishing hotspot. Aside from this vast river, the parish has access to a range of other rivers and lakes, many of which offer excellent opportunities not just for fishing but for other scenic outdoor activities.

Boyce Fishing

Anglers seeking a quintessential Central Louisiana fishing experience in Boyce should put the Red River on their bucket list. This big body of water, once a tributary of the Mississippi River, has been called one of the top bass-fishing destinations in the state and the entire country, along with another Louisiana hotspot, Toledo Bend Reservoir. The saltwater river was even twice chosen as the Bassmaster Classic tournament venue. Within Louisiana, the river can be accessed from Shreveport to Simmesport and is divided into pools. The river has many productive backwaters, oxbow lakes, and canals, but the main river can be quite active with largemouth bass during summer. Target anywhere with a structure like rock jetties or cover like grass and other vegetation and where there’s a moving current, and you might find a trophy bass lurking around. Channel catfish also abound in the river during summer, located at the bottom where there’s lots of structure. Anglers can access a portion of the river within the Boyce Recreational Area on Ryan Street. The recreation area has two boat launches, bank fishing spots, grills, and picnic tables should you wish to eat your catch. 

Less than 20 minutes outside Boyce, you will find the city of Pineville, where you can access one of the parish’s primary lakes, Buhlow Lake. It is situated within Fort Buhlow Lake, a local favorite recreational spot. It has amenities for boating, racing, and fishing. Anglers can fish the lake from the bank and on board a boat. The lake is stocked with channel catfish and is a good place to fish for largemouth bass and bluegill. Note that the fort is a favored spot for many outdoor city events, so check the schedule if you don’t want to mingle with crowds while fishing.

Northwest of Alexandria, anglers can find excellent bass fishing in the man-made Cotile Lake. It is a popular lake, so it does experience quite a bit of fishing pressure. While it is a healthy bass lake, there’s not a lot of trophy fish here. Aside from largemouth bass, it is home to crappie, bluegill, and other panfish. 

Less than 10 miles from Boyce, you will find the Kincaid Reservoir or Lake Kincaid nestled within the Kisatchie National Forest, the state’s only national forest. The lake has thrived as a favorite outdoor recreational spot due to its rich location deep within the forest. It is regularly stocked with sun perch, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Other fish you can find in the lake include gar, chain pickerel, black bass, white bass, and yellow bass. You can target many of these fish species in the tree stumps around the lake. You can also access the lake on a boat which you can launch in any of the three boat launches.

If you want a more solitary fishing experience deep within the forest, add Valentine Lake to your Kisatchie National Forest itinerary. It is quite hidden and not as popular as Kincaid Lake. Motorized boats are not allowed here, so you can only explore the lake on a kayak or canoe. If you don’t feel like rowing while fishing, you can cast a line in one of its two fishing piers near the Northshore campground and another in the Day Use Area. 

Indian Creek Reservoir, situated outside Woodworth in the Alexander State Forest, is another great bass lake near Boyce. Because of its excellent location deep in the woods, it offers a wonderful solitary fishing experience. If you come here around February during the pre-spawn stages, you will find big bass feeding in the grassy flats. Some fish you can catch here include largemouth bass, crappie, and striped bass. You can fish the lake from the banks or, better still, launch a boat on any of the reservoir’s many boat launches.

Top 10 Fish Species in Boyce, LA

The top 10 fish species found in Boyce, LA, include largemouth bass, flathead catfish, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, sun perch, striped bass, chain pickerel, white bass, and yellow bass.

Seasonal Fishing

Louisiana is a year-round fishing destination, and Boyce is no different. The town and its parish offer productive fishing most of the year but are indeed at their peak during summer. Some spots, like the Indian Creek Reservoir, can also offer great bass fishing early in the year during pre-spawn stages when the water experiences less fishing pressure. 

Experience History and Nature in Boyce

Boyce and Rapides Parish are known for their great accessibility within the state as they are smack dab in the middle. This also means the region is an excellent way to experience the best of what the entire state has to offer.

1. Book a Fishing Guide

Anglers exploring a new town will benefit from booking the services of a local expert who can keep you safe and give you excellent pointers on the local waters and their catch.

2. Go RV Camping

Boyce is home to several lovely RV parks, including the Hidden Treasure RV Resort, River Cities RV Park, and Alexandria RV Park, all of which are well-maintained and equipped to make your RV camping trip smooth, convenient, and comfortable. For example, you get private access to Cotile Lake within Hidden Treasure RV Resort. River Cities RV Park, on the other hand, is surrounded by many rivers, streams, and ponds.

3. Go Back in Time

In nearby Alexandria, you can time travel to Central Louisiana’s past while visiting the Kent Plantation House, a landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This well-preserved Creole plantation house, built in the French colonial architectural style in 1795, shows the region’s Spanish and French heritage. You can get a guided tour of both the house and the grounds. The place itself also hosts events such as wine and whisky tasting events, arts and crafts workshops,