Cheneyville, LA Fishing: Fishing on Louisiana’s Best

Cheneyville is in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. The name Cheneyville was derived from a settler, William Cheney when it was founded in 1811.

Cheneyville holds significance when it comes to the history of the Restoration Movement connected to Alexander Campbell. In 1843, most members of a Baptist congregation converted to Christianity. The Cheneyville Christian Church was the first church associated with the Restoration Movement in Louisiana. Founder's Day is a family-friendly festival celebrating Cheneyville's heritage every October. The festival regularly draws a crowd and is open to everyone. Cheneyville also formerly hosted the Domino Festival.

Cheneyville lies on the banks of the Boeuf River, making it a great place to go fishing or boating.

Cheneyville Fishing

Fisheries surround the state of Louisiana, and there are much great saltwater and freshwater fishing spots that anglers can explore and visit in the region. Fishing in Louisiana is abundant all year, and anglers can see the area to enjoy fishing at any time. 

The banks of Boeuf River welcome anglers who wish to cast their line in Cheneyville. The river is a tributary of the Ouachita River in Arkansas and Louisiana. Largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, and catfish are the common freshwater fish in the river system, but anglers can also go crawfishing and frogging. Boating is also one of the best activities on the river, with boat launches in the river. The Boeuf River area is also suitable for birding and wildlife viewing.

Bayou des Allemands near Cheneyville and Alexandria is a haven for anglers who want to capture freshwater trophy fish like largemouth bass, bluegill, alligator gar, and black crappie. Bayou des Allemands' water comes from Lac des Allemands and flows into Lake Salvador and the Gulf of Mexico. Catfish is also sought-after in the bayou area. Three species of catfish, flathead, channel, and blue, spawn in the Lac des Allemands and its tributaries, such as Bayou des Allemands from May through September. The community of Des Allemands is found southeast of the lake on Bayou des Allemands and is known as the "Catfish Capital of the Universe."

Bayou Choctaw, a stream near Pineville and Cheneyville, is another sought-after fishery in the area and is an ideal place for paddlers and smaller boats. It is home to largemouth bass, yellow bullhead, and bluegill. The bayou offers average freshwater fishing and excellent birding and wildlife observation. 

Anglers fishing in more massive water areas can visit Lac aux Perles. The lake is home to largemouth bass, bowfin, longnose gar, alligator gar, freshwater drum, and blue catfish. They can also fish for bowfin in Hubbard Lake or take a tour at Cocodrie Lake. Cocodrie Lake system is 6,000 acres of cypress swamp, with bays and small lakes to be found by motoring through skinny swamp routes. A way for anglers to get to the lakes is to know these passages. The Cocodrie Lake, bordered by Rapides Parish to the north, is located just northwest of Turkey Creek. The lake system offers great sceneries and fantastic fishing opportunities for anglers. Some species that anglers can hook in the lake system are the sporting favorites, like channel catfish, flathead catfish, striped bass, and panfish. Two small retail marinas operate on Cocodrie Lake, serving visiting fishermen. Boat launches are also found on the sites. Aside from fishing, anglers can go on the walking trails or go on guided ecology tours and bird watching.

McIntosh Bayou is an inlet in Alexandria and Cheneyville in Louisiana. It lies southeast of Morgan Bayou and east of Morgans Bayou. The most popular species anglers can catch here are largemouth bass and yellow bullhead. Traveling to the northern part of Cheneyville is where anglers can find Wilson Lake. The lake is a physical feature just 8.9 miles from Lecompte in Rapides Parish. Anglers can go baitcasting in the area and catch channel catfish, spotted bass, largemouth bass, and blue catfish.

Toledo bend is a lake near Pineville, north of Cheneyville. The area is a go-to spot for anglers who want to go bank fishing, black crappie, white crappie, channel catfish, freshwater drum, flathead catfish, bowfin, and white bass. The Toledo bend area is a peaceful, quiet, family-friendly lake with picnic spots, hiking trails, and RV parking slots. The lake also observes put-and-take fishing. Boat ramps, piers, and docks are in the area for anglers to utilize.

Cheneyville is also close to several smaller bayous and swamps. Anglers can go fishing on Lyle Lake, Lac Bon Garçon, Tanner Lake, Boggy Lake, and Jews-harp Lake. Freshwater trophy fish such as largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill can be found in these fishing areas. These lakes always offer a good catch. 

Top 10 Fish Species in Cheneyville, LA

The top 10 fish species found in Cheneyville, LA, are largemouth bass, bluegill, alligator gar, black crappie, yellow bullhead, bowfin, longnose gar, freshwater drum, blue catfish, and flathead catfish.

Seasonal Fishing

Louisiana is one of the best fishing states on the Gulf Coast and is known to be a sportsman’s paradise. Knowing the best seasons and times of day to fish in the area will give anglers successful fishing tours. The spring season is the best time to fish for largemouth bass. These bass species spawn from February in south Louisiana to April in north Louisiana. Fishing for bluegill is open year-round. Their long spawning season begins when water temperatures soar near 70°F, peaking in early summer and persisting into the fall. May is the best month to start fishing for longnose gar and alligator gar. Alligator gar's spawning period starts around late spring/early summer in shallow areas, while the spawning period takes place in the spring. The best season to catch black crappie is during the spawning season from February to May. The three main species of catfish found in Louisiana are the channel, blue, and flathead catfish. Channel catfish spawn once a year in late spring to early summer but sometimes can extend into August. Blue catfish spawn once a year in April and May, while flathead catfish are best to grab during late spring to early summer. Anglers stand their best shot hooking bowfin during spring. Spring is also the same time they spawn in shallow, vegetative waters. 

Take A Nice Trip to Cheneyville

Whatever your family's interests are, you can be sure to find something to do and have plenty of experience in Cheneyville that they will all enjoy.

1. Book A Fishing Charter

Before anglers venture into uncharted waters on their own, always consider booking a fishing trip with a professional guide or fishing charter. A professional fishing charter guide will help anglers find the fish and will help them navigate the waters. They also provide all the gear and equipment anglers may need. They can take you to some of the best Louisiana fishing vacations and Louisana offshore fishing locations. The best fishing charters that anglers can book near the Cheneyville area are Fowl Language Guide Service in Marksville, Fishing Tom Guide Service in Sulphur, Tapped-Out Charters in Shell Beach, and Louisiana Livin Adventures in Chauvin. Other offshore fishing charters in Louisiana offer trips to nearby fishing locations.

2. Visit the Cheneyville Museum

In the center of Cheneyville lies a tiny museum called the Cheneyville Museum. The museum is committed to preserving Cheneyville's history. Visitors can learn more about Cheneyville's founding, its early years as a prosperous cotton center, and its collapse in the late 20th century. The Cheneyville Museum also features a mixture of regional relics, including a recreation of the original schoolhouse in the area.

3. Take a Scenic Walk or Go on a Bike Ride

Cheneyville is lucky to have so many lovely natural areas. The town's historic site is open to visitors who want to take in the sights of its numerous old homes and structures while having a stroll or bicycle ride through it for hours. Cheneyville is also near hiking and bicycling routes, allowing visitors to tour the area's natural beauty.