Chataignier, LA Fishing: Easy Access to the Cajun Country’s Fishing Spots

Chataignier, a village named after the French term for a long-extinct chestnut called chinquapin, sits at the southeastern tip of Evangeline Parish in South Louisiana. Its earliest settlers came to the land in the 18th century. It officially became an incorporated village in 1973.

The parish to which Chataignier belongs, Evangeline, is part of the so-called Acadiana region along the Cajun Prairie. It is named after a Longfellow Acadian heroine. Evangeline bears the distinction of speaking a significant amount of French compared to all other Louisiana parishes. It was once cattle grazing land or, in French, a Vacherie and was originally a part of nearby St. Landry Parish. Its county seat is Ville Platte, a French phrase that means “Flat Town,” its level land distinguishing it from the hills characteristic of north Louisiana.

The Acadiana region is Cajun Country, proud of its French, Cajun, and Creole heritage. Its geography is characterized by low hills and dry prairie that transition into rich marshlands and bayous as one approaches the Gulf Coast area. Chataignier is not a fishing hotspot, but it opens visiting anglers up to the many outdoor recreational opportunities in the Acadiana region, including productive freshwater fishing. It provides a home-away-from-home atmosphere for anglers looking for a home base for their South Louisiana fishing vacations.

Chataignier Fishing

South Louisiana freshwater fishing is decidedly more relaxed compared to getting on offshore fishing charters in Louisiana’s Gulf Coast area. Nevertheless, it offers freshwater anglers abundant opportunities almost all year round. This part of the Cajun Country, in particular, has several hotspots that can feel like hidden secrets among anglers.

One of the best places to start your Cajun Country fishing journey is Chicot State Park, a wildlife reserve north of Ville Platte. The lush state park has acres upon acres of rolling hills overlooking a 2,000-acre artificial lake home to stocked largemouth bass, crappie or sac-a-lait, bluegill, and redear sunfish. This off-the-beaten lake might be small, but it packs a punch when it comes to its trophy fish. It continues to produce record numbers of big bass, though the lake has a daily catch limit and can be quite tricky to fish. 

Chicot Lake used to be a cypress-tupelo swamp before it was impounded. Nowadays, anglers can see hints of its past on the banks where there is still plenty of tupelo and cypress. The parts of the lake where there are more rotten stumps and trees are your reliable bass fishing spots. If you’re in the area for the pre-spawn and spawning season in March and April, head to the northwestern part of the lake, known as the Branch area, and throw crankbaits around the water that have submerged timber. The Turtle Island area has similar covers where you can use the same technique on the bass. Covering the Branch area under alligator grass and hyacinths should work wonders if you’re keen to catch sac-a-lait or crappie.

Crooked Creek Recreation Area and Lakeview Park & Beach are home to two of the locals’ favorite fishing lakes in the parish. Crooked Creek, near Pine Prairie, has a 400-acre fishing lake. Its shallow water is an excellent spot to hunt for some sac-a-lait and bluegill. Lakeview Park has a small fishing lake stocked with bluegill, largemouth bass, and sac-a-lait. Only kayaks and canoes are allowed for anglers to use on the lake. You can bring your own, but you have to purchase a park permit. If you don’t have one, the park has canoe rentals.

If you’re willing to widen your cast on your fishing trip in South Louisiana, the nearby cities of the Acadiana region have quintessential Louisiana inshore fishing charters that can take you to even more freshwater fishing spots. Expect blue catfish and other catfish species, bluegill, alligator gar, bowfin, redfish, spotted sea trout or speckled trout, flounder, and other Louisiana favorites in these waterbodies.

Palmetto Island State Park in Abbeville offers bank and pier-fishing on the Vermilion River. The state park also has small lagoons where you can fish for bowfin. Lake Martin, easily accessible from Lafayette, is a popular local fishing spot where you can enjoy some fishing on the shore and a kayak. For a bigger lake fishing experience, Calcasieu Lake in the southwest is vast and productive, so don’t be surprised if you find plenty more competition in the lake.

Eunice City Lake, less than 30 minutes from Chataignier, is a favorite recreational fishing spot for many locals in the area. Its waters are regularly stocked with big bass and are likewise known to hold bullhead catfish, white perch, garfish, and shad. Many anglers favor it because its waters are strictly for fishing only — no competition with swimmers, skiers, or PWC riders.

Bayou Teche is accessible from various locations in four parishes in the South Central Louisiana region. It is a scenic bayou that anglers can access on the National Water Trails System. One of the best ways to fish in the bayou is on paddle trips on the designated paddle trail, where you can catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, gar, and sunfish.

Top 10 Fish Species in Chataignier, LA

The top 10 fish species found in and near Chataignier include largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie or sac-a-lait, redear sunfish, alligator gar, bowfin, redfish, bullhead catfish, blue catfish, and speckled trout.

Seasonal Fishing

South Louisiana offers excellent freshwater fishing all year round, only with winter offering less action. Anglers seeking bass should arrive during the pre-spawn and spawning seasons in spring, around March and April, though you can still find them in the water around fall. Look out for tournament anglers in some of the popular water bodies — if you’re not joining the tournaments themselves, it’s best not to compete with them and spook the fish. 

Discover the Rich Cajun Heritage of Chataignier

Exploring Chataignier and Evangeline Parish should be at the top of your itinerary if you want to immerse in South Louisiana’s Cajun heritage.

1. Book a Fishing Charter or Guide

Book all-inclusive fishing trips in Louisiana if you want a full grasp of all the fishing opportunities in the Pelican State. Start in the Acadiana region and work your way through other Louisiana regions. Book a fishing charter in your location of choice to aid you in your fishing journey down south. Tapped-Out Charters offers both fishing and duck hunting experiences near New Orleans. If redfish is your target, book Serigne’s Fishing Charters to get your fill. Cajun Outcast Inshore Charters will take you out for a 7-hour day of fishing in St. Bernard’s backwaters, flats, and bays. And if you’ve always wanted to try bow fishing, get the services of Nock Em Dead Bowfishing Charters in Grand Isle.

2. Groove to Swamp Pop

Learn all about Cajun culture through its music by visiting the Swamp Pop Museum in Ville Platte. The city is known as the Swamp Pop Capital, after all. The museum is inside a converted train depot, adding a unique touch to the experience.

3. Celebrate the Farming Community

The Cajun Country is known for its passion for agriculture which they celebrate with festivals all year round. Two of its most popular festivals include the Louisiana Cotton Festival, held in the fall, and the Louisiana Corn Festival, held in June. Both are family-friendly affairs that feature live music, unique themed events (corn-eating and corn-shucking anyone?), and many other activities. Joining the festivals is a great way to get to know the townspeople and partake in their locally-made food.