Campti, LA Fishing: Farmland Fishing Escapade

Campti is found in the northern part of Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is a flat area of mostly farmland. Campti lies on the eastern bank of the Red River and is the oldest territory on the river. 

The tradition bears the history that the name "Campti" emanated from the name of a Natchitoches Indian chief, known as "Le Roi Campti" or The King Campti. Natchitoches church records show Father Valentin, a French missionary, visited Campti around 1745. The church record was the first documented account of Campti's presence in French Louisiana. Campti's largest employer is the wood products manufacturer, Weyerhauser. Cattle are raised and bred in the area as well. 

Campti celebrates “Smokin' on the Red Festival” annually, every fourth Saturday in October. The festival offers various activities for tourists, such as a parade, face painting, magic shows, pumpkin shine, cake walks, and street dances.

Anglers will appreciate Campti's location on the banks of the Red River. It also provides scenic views and local attractions for outdoor activities.

Campti Fishing

There's a famous phrase in Louisiana: If you don’t like the weather, stick around; it's about to change. Louisiana is known as one of the top fishing states in the country. Lousiana and its localities, like Campti, offer abundant fishing opportunities for anglers of all levels. Fishing in Campti is open year-round, although summer and spring are the best seasons.

Campti is found on the eastern banks of the Red River. The Red River is Louisiana’s second-biggest river. The Red River was so salty and unnavigable that its water could not be used for water supply. The river was dammed in 1994 and has since become one of the most significant fishing locations in the state. The Red River has earned nationwide attention as an abundant fishery, regardless of weather conditions. The entire Red River system is separated into five pools. Pools 3, 4, and 5 are the most prevalent. The Red River also regularly hosts fishing tournaments, and the most prominent is the Bassmasters Tournament. Red River is well vegetated and has a lot of underwater structures that most fish species inhabit. It is best to cast the line in the Red River during the summer days. The river is an excellent spot for bass fishing. Anglers can target largemouth bass in the river, but the river does have various fish species like crappie, channel catfish, bream, white bass, spotted bass, and redear sunfish. From Campti, anglers can access the Red River via the Sims Bayou. They can also try and access the river via the Grand Ecore RV Park, which offers a free-to-use boat launch and a floating pier for up to 16 boats. Drift fishing, kayak fishing, and trolling are ideal for anglers fishing in the Red River, given that several boat launches and ramps are available in the area.

Sims Bayou is a tributary of the Red River, located in the northwestern part of Campti. Aside from an abundant fishing opportunity, Sims Bayou has a hiking trail for anglers. Anglers can catch fish like redear sunfish, freshwater drum, bluegill, and blue catfish in the bayou. Adjacent to Sims Bayou is Blue Lake. Blue Lake is a spot for bluegill fishing. Anglers can also try their luck and cast their lines at various fishing spots in Campti, such as Bayou Pratte, Campti Bayou, Campti Brake, Round Lake, Bayou Decorppe, Bayou Couchinaha, and Bayou Pierre. These fishing spots are known for bowfin, bass, and crappie fishing.

Aside from fishing in the Red River, Campti is close to Louisiana's top fishing areas, such as Clear Lake, Black Lake, Black Lake Bayou, Saline Bayou, and Saline Lake. Black Lake is found west of the Highway 9 bridge, while below the bridge sits Clear Lake. Anglers leaving Black Lake and crossing Clear Lake will end up in the other fishing area called Black Bayou. Meanwhile, on the other side of Clear Lake is another body of water: Saline Lake.

Black Lake is a reservoir found between the towns of Creston and Campti and has an elevation of 102 feet. Anglers can use boat launches and campgrounds for fishing and boating on the river. Black Lake is abundant with black crappie. Black Lake is a shallow water body, and during cold temperatures, the fish head to Clear Lake and continue traveling towards Black Bayou as the weather gets colder. During the colder months, anglers can only spot fish in deeper waters. Saline Lake, on the other hand, is a spot known for its abundance of bass. Anglers can catch fish in the lake, such as largemouth bass, white crappie, and black crappie. Saline Bayou is a stream near Natchitoches and Campti. Some of the most popular species caught here are blue catfish and bluegill. It also has boat ramps for anglers and an area for bank fishing.

Top 10 Fish Species in Campti, LA

The top 10 fish species found in Campti, LA, are bluegill, freshwater drum, redear sunfish, blue catfish, largemouth bass, white bass, spotted bass, crappie, channel catfish, and bowfin.

Seasonal Fishing

Fishing in Campti and the Natchitoches Parish is best during the spring and summer. Anglers target bass during the spring spawning season. Largemouth bass start their spawning season in the spring, while spotted bass begin their breeding period in March and continue through late May. The spawning period for the white bass is mid-March to late May. Anglers typically target bluegill during spring and the early weeks of summer. The summer season is the most appropriate season to target them. Spring is an incredible time to head out, especially for anglers aiming to hook crappie. They like to lay their eggs in warmer waters. Redear sunfish have only one spawning period as compared to bluegill. Redear sunfish's breeding season takes place during the early spring. Freshwater drum are not the most sought-after fish species, making them easier to catch all year. There is little competition from other anglers in targeting freshwater drum.

Catfish are active during the day and night. Anglers typically wait until dusk to go catfish fishing in Louisiana to increase their chances of hooking the fish. Blue catfish start their breeding season every late spring and early summer, while channel catfish start their breeding period during the early summer days. Anglers stand their best attempt at catching bowfin during spring when the fish assemble in small concentrations to begin their spawning season.

Campti’s Top Spots to Offer

Campti has a lot to offer when it comes to tourism, aside from being a good location to fish. It is a tourist destination that travelers with various interests can enjoy.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

For anglers to enjoy their fishing trip in Campti and get the most out of the trip, they are highly encouraged to book a fishing charter. Investing a little time and money upfront enhances anglers' overall fishing experience, and besides, a professional guide brings all the necessary equipment anglers will need during their trip. Fishing is all about new adventures, and the flexibility that comes with hiring a fishing charter service is a great benefit.

2. Campti Historic Museum

Campti Historical Museum is the only museum found in Campti. It is a great place to learn about Campti's local history. The museum features books, pictures, and relics from all the points of time that Campti had been established up until recent times.

3. Visit the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Campti was developed early in French colonial days. Father Valentin was particularly zealous in visiting the growing territories along the Red River. One of these was the small town of Campti. Tourists are welcome to visit one of the oldest churches in Campti.