Port Sulphur, LA Fishing: Historic Destination in Plaquemines, Louisiana

Port Sulphur is a Census-Designated Place on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. The once-famous Freeport Sulphur Company helped in the establishment of the town. The company's logistics, refining, storage, and shipping operations started here in the early 1930s. Since the community is near Lake Grande Ecaille, the largest sulfur deposit in the country at that time, town locals enjoyed a booming economy. Freeport Sulphur Company remained in production until 1978 before gradually shutting down and reducing employees. After being used as a hub to support other primary sulfur operations, Plaquemines Government allowed private land ownership. In the late 1980s, the Freeport company sold most of its properties to residents. In the early 2000s, Freeport Sulphur Company shut down its operations, and the town began to slowly struggle economically until real estate companies moved in for urban developments. 

Being located on the West Bank of the Mississippi River, Port Sulphur has an elevation of 8 feet and is famous for being resilient during hurricanes. Despite having 35.29% of its territory as water, recent storms such as Betsy and Camille did not bring overflowing and significant damage to the town. Historical locations such as the large brick Plaquemines Parish Government building, Port Sulphur's historical marker, and the Civic Drive area still stand today.

As of the 2020 census, Port Sulphur has a population of 1,677 and is currently seeing a 2-year decline. All residents are US citizens, and more than half are employed. Thanks to the projects of real estate developers, 15% of the population are working on Construction and Extraction projects. 

Despite rapid urbanization, the town preserves its connection with the West Bank of the Mississippi River. Port Sulphur has strict policies to protect the water and not be heavily polluted. The community also supports recreational water activities for the residents and tourists. The government has managed fishing holes near Port Sulphur and monitored marine life to ensure the sustainability of fishing activities and water quality.

Port Sulphur Fishing 

Port Sulphur is one of the best freshwater fishing destinations in the entire country, thanks to its strategic location on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. It has connected streams to different lakes, rivers, and swamps. Fishing and boating tours are among the top contributors to tourism in Port Sulphur. So if you want to reel in a good catch and have a good fishing experience, make sure to add this town to your following fishing trip plans. 

About 195 lakes, 190 rivers, and 1,058 streams are near Port Sulphur. Anglers can expect plenty of freshwater fish here, thanks to the flows of the Mississippi River. If you plan to fish along West Bank, expect to see waters that are not muddy, unlike the other connected water bodies. The weather on Port Sulphur is suitable for fishing as it ranges from 60 to 70 degrees on a typical day and reaches up to 85 degrees during the summer season. The winds are not that strong, except for some of the lakes connected to Port Sulphur. There are the occasional fast currents, but these usually yield good catches because fish pass through here.

Anglers who want to experience fishing in Port Sulphur can look for Fishing Charters to guide them on the famous fishing holes such as Dennis Pass, Bel La Pass, and Uhlan Bay. Prices for these fishing charters range from 350 to 500 dollars per trip instead of the usual hourly rates. These prices are worth it because you can catch some heavyweight largemouth bass, crappie, green sunfish, bluegill, carp, pickerel, and perch. 

Locals of Port Sulphur have a saying, "life is better in the water," and true enough, there are plenty of fishing opportunities all year round. They have reported that there has been plenty of black drum, flounder, and red snapper caught during mid-June until late September. The fish has increased activity during this summer season, and the peaking sun makes the waters more transparent and more visible for anglers. So be sure to visit here during the Summer and stock up on live bait such as shrimp, roundworms, and even table food. If you do not want to be assisted by fishing charters, you can also go around town and stock up on fishing supplies from the local stores that sell affordable fishing equipment. Consultation with the local anglers and the Plaquemines fishing authorities is best before heading offshore and into deep waters.

The lakes and streams around Port Sulphur do not freeze over during winter. There may be stronger winds, but expect to see fish that are heavier because, at this time, they are conserving as much energy and fat as possible to survive. It is common during this season to reel in bass weighing up to 7 kg. Fish during the winter are also easy to lure because they would ignore cold waters in search of food. The use of live bait with pungent smells to attract as much fish as possible towards your boat is popular among anglers. 

Top 10 Fish Species to Catch in Port Sulphur, LA

The top 10 fish species to catch in Port Sulphur, LA are largemouth bass, crappie, perch, black drum, sea trout, lake trout, red snapper, summer flounder, winter flounder, and carp.

Seasonal Fishing 

If you want to catch as much fish as you can on your fishing trip, you should go to Port Sulphur during the Summer, thanks to the increased water temperatures and more transparent waters. It is common knowledge among anglers that fish activity increases if the water temperature increases. The temperature pushes them to find food or spawning mates, and they swim closer to the banks. From June to September, anglers have reported consistently catching bass, and carp, even on crowded fishing holes.

If you are looking for flounders of big sizes, plan a fishing trip to Port Sulphur during the winter. Winter Flounder can be caught even from shallow waters from early December to February. The water bodies around Port Sulphur do not freeze over, which makes winter fishing all the better! 

For recreational purposes in Port Sulphur, the freshwater fishing season is open all year round. Still, you must consult with Louisiana fishing authorities regarding the catch limit and required license.

Take a Blast From the Past With These Famous Attractions in Port Sulphur

Aside from freshwater fishing holes, plantations and sulfur processing plants surround Port Sulphur. Tourists by foot can explore the entirety of the town. Even though urban developments have surrounded the community, the government still preserved Port Sulphur landmarks to showcase the history and culture of the community.

1. Drive-By Old Plantations 

Harlem plantations and manors are still standing in Plaquemines, Louisiana. Public access to plantation houses is still limited, but you can grab quick photos of how it looks on the outside. Entrance to the fields is also limited, and most of them are under private ownership, so be sure to coordinate with local authorities before visiting these historic sites. 

2. Visit Historic Buildings From the Freeport Sulphur Company

Get to know the company that helped build the foundations of Port Sulphur, Louisiana. Even though Freeport stopped its operations, the old buildings are still standing and are used as storage facilities or converted into government buildings. The Plaquemines Parish Government building was initially the Freeport Sulphur Company administration building and receiving facility. The Port Sulphur School and other government buildings stand on previously Freeport property. 

3. Book a Fishing or Boating Charter

There are plenty of charter services available in Port Sulphur. The charter will guide you through the nearby lakes and streams such as Bayou Bend, Little Pass, Cox Bay, and American Bay. You can also have a boating trip around the West Bank of the Mississippi River. 

Boating and fishing trips are best made during the early morning hours because of the cool wind breeze and the glowing horizon thanks to the sunrise. Some charter services are available late in the afternoon but checking the weather and tidal reports is best before embarking on a boat ride leading up to the evening.