Clayton, LA Fishing: Experience Diversity

Clayton is a city north of Concordia Parish, Louisiana. Clayton is located on the Tensas River, which is important for fishing and boating and is traversed by the United States Navy. The Army Corps of Engineers serviced the launch of the boat. The Tensas River joins the Black River at Jonesville in Catahoula Parish. Shops within the community include Cross Keys Bank and David's Grocery. The area's primary employer was the Clayton Gin Company. Jin is "Davis Bros. Gin Co." The gin was sold in the early 1980s and continued as the "Clayton Gin Company" until the early 2000s.

Heading out to Clayton with your friends and family would surely be a fun trip. Enjoy water sports, freshwater fishing, and pleasure boating that would surely cool off the summer heat. If you are not into such activities, Clayton also offers pleasant day trips to museums and national parks where you can enjoy scenic trips and learn more about the place.

Clayton Fishing

Any place in Louisiana offers a great fishing experience. The state's coast has one of the richest coastal fisheries in the country. Proximity to offshore oil platforms means Louisiana offshore charters, like Ron Ron Fishing Charters, are never far away. Mississippi Her Delta and its backwaters and bayou offer freshwater fishing opportunities of all kinds. Freshwater fishing in the state's many excellent lakes and bays is best done by boat, but there are also plenty of shore fishing spots. Bottom fishing and trolling are the main techniques along the coast. Jigging is also recommended.

Clayton Bayou is a creek just 5.8 miles from Denham Springs in Livingston Parish near Burlington, Louisiana, USA. Another name for this creek is Clayton Creek. Largemouth bass, white crappie, rock bass, flathead catfish, blue catfish, American eel, black bullhead, and bluegill are all well-caught in Clayton Bayou.  

Meanwhile, Beaver Creek is only a few miles away. The creek is just 2.7 miles from Denham Springs in Livingston Parish. Here you can catch striped bass, rainbow trout, blue catfish, bluegill, sunfish, white crappie, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. Whether you're baitcasting or fly fishing, chances are here. Grab your favorite fly fishing rod and reel, and head to Beaver Creek.

The Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge offers outdoor enthusiasts a variety of opportunities for paddling, hiking, hunting, bird watching, and fishing. Fish can be found in lakes and coves that are part of Tensas Rivers and Refuges. The refuge was established in 1980 in the Tensas River Valley in northeastern Louisiana. The fishing season takes place year-round on Africa Lake, Judd Lake, Buck Lake,  Rainey Lake, and the Tensas River.  On all other lakes, the fishing season is from March to October. Available species include largemouth bass, white and black crappie, catfish, gar, bowfin, and buffalo. Gas engines are prohibited except on Lake Judd, Back Lake, and the Tensas River. 

The Tensas River Forest covers a large area and consists of broadleaf forests, wetlands, and several lakes. The river begins in the community of East Carroll in the northeastern corner of the state and flows southwest for about 400 km, roughly parallel to the Ouachita River. The two rivers meet at Jonesville in Catahoula Parish to form the Black River. Other names for this stream include Bayou Des Tensas, Riviere D'Argent, and Riviere Des Yazou.   Catfish, bluefish, channel catfish, bluegill, white bass, and largemouth bass are caught here. The Tensas River often remains dirtier because it receives a lot of agricultural runoff. 

On the other hand, anglers say they can find quality bass in decent conditions here. As many anglers know, rivers almost always have some current, and modern bass prefer to stay on the eddy side of the structure while waiting for crawfish and ant shads to pass by. Late January to March is the time to target bass for spawning as they migrate into shallow water. Try throwing a jig along a vegetation mat or cypress.

Another great place to fish is Lake Bruin, State Park. Bruin Lake has more than 3,000 acres of water, and visitors to Bruin Lake State Park have access to every acre for unparalleled freshwater fishing, water sports, and outdoor life. The 53-hectare site was established in 1928 as a fish hatchery. With three large fishing piers, a 24/7 boat launch, and a boat shed for docking, casual and serious anglers alike are welcome. Rental boats are available. Early in the season, in February and March, nearly all jig fishing is done in Gladstone Subdivision's waterways, or short bayous called lagoons, at the edge of the lake south of the state park, a lake-like arm that stretches into a state park. The shallow waters in these two areas warm up faster than the main part of the lake and offer the best fishing opportunities early in the year. In addition, the lot's channels and lagoons are well protected from the notorious winds of February and March.

Largemouth bass fishing is popular year-round, but the best months are April, May, June, September, and October. Crappie is worn around posts and mats in early spring. Bluegill fishing is best done in shallow water on either side of the lake. Crappie bites are reduced, and when shiners have difficulty catching them, they turn into crawfish. Crayfish weighing 3 to 8 pounds channel makes excellent bait for catfish. Catalpa rum also makes perfect catfish bait, if available. In June, small schools of garfish become so active that even yo-yos can't catch them. However, this month, the last month they fish the lake, is a great time for stick fishing with bream and crawfish as bait.

Top 10 Fish Species in Clayton, LA

The top ten fish species caught in Clayton, LA, are largemouth bass, crappie, rock bass, flathead catfish, blue catfish, American eel, black bullhead, bluegill, white perch, and calico bass.

Seasonal Fishing

Louisiana's mild climate allows year-round fishing. Spring and summer, however, are the best times for saltwater fishing in deep and inshore waters, as the fish spawn in the spring and feed in large numbers during the long summer days. Water temperature spikes and troughs call for deeper, cooler water that often indicates a case of lockjaw. Anglers also complain about the heat when fishing in open water because they can't escape the scorching sun. Luckily for bass anglers, Louisiana's rivers come to life in the summer. It is because the river water is generally cooler and more oxygenated than inland reservoirs and lakes. 

Experience a Nourishing Trip in Clayton

Louisiana fishing vacations are something no angler should miss, but there are plenty of other things to do in this state, particularly in Clayton!

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Enjoy the fresh waters and bayous of Clayton with the help of Louisiana inshore fishing charters such as Fowl Language Guide Service and Tapped-Out Charters. In Clayton Bayou,  Beaver Creek, Tensas River, and Lake Bruin, grab your chance to catch your first or a trophy-sized bass or catfish!

2. Visit Delta Music Museum

A music gallery is planned with interactive music kiosks, mannequins, and more. The building, built in 1939-1940, has been completely remodeled to house the museum's exhibits, with plans for live performances and future interactive exhibitions. The new museum consists of interpretive and interactive exhibits focused on the history, music, and culture of the Delta region of Louisiana and Mississippi.

3. Visit Poverty Point World Heritage Site

Centuries ago, when Stonehenge was built, Queen Nefertiti ruled Egypt, and Native Americans built earthen monuments. UNESCO designated the poverty point as a World Heritage Site. Only three other archaeological sites in the United States have won this award, so this is a must-see.