Famous for the colorful celebration of the Mardi Gras, strong associations with jazz music, mouth-watering cuisine, such as gumbo and shrimp etouffee, Louisiana is a melting pot of various cultures. Much of what makes the state what it is now is influenced by French, African, American, and French-Canadian cultures. These influences trickled in every nook and cranny of the state, and Atlanta is no exception.
Located in Winn Parish, within the Alexandria area in Louisiana, Atlanta is a small village with less than two hundred people. The first settlement took place during the 1850s and was done by people from Georgia. In addition, Atlanta is surrounded by other neighboring villages within Winn Parish, namely: Calvin, Dodson, and Sikes.
Due to its small size and population, it is not that hard to get yourself acquainted with the people of Atlanta who value the sense of community and whose idea of a good winter day is one spent with a warm bowl of gumbo. Atlanta is mainly an inland area with no direct access to ocean-sized waterways, but its roads make fishing in neighboring cities more accessible, of which there is quite a number to choose from.
Atlanta, Louisiana, primarily consists of land. However, since it is surrounded by other cities a short drive away, fishing destinations are still accessible. Anglers and visitors alike can explore much of Louisiana from this inland village.
The historical Mississippi River is the second largest river in North America and played a significant role in founding the United States. It starts at Lake Itasca in Minnesota, passes through nine other states, and ends in Southern Louisiana at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi River served as a barrier among territories, kept the lands near it fertile, became the main channel for boats and water transportation, and, more importantly, is a primary source of various fish species due to its healthy biodiversity and marine ecosystem. In the Mississippi River, anglers can catch red drum, spotted sea trout, and alligator gar.
March, April, and May are the best months to catch red drum in the waters of Louisiana. During these months, the fish are more aggressive and numerous, indicating good health and a joyous spawning season. The marshes start to come alive, and anglers can see red drum utilize this time to actively feed throughout the way, while the waters are warmer compared to the other seasons. Red drum are generally bottom feeders, and anglers can catch them through surf fishing or sight casting with traditional fly fishing rods.
As for the spotted seatrout, their spawning season is from May to September and can be found in the lower bays. As the colder season approaches October, they retreat inland, staying up until February. They are best caught by using light to medium spinning tackle using a variety of artificial bait. Popular baits include shrimp and minnows suspended from afloat. Artificially scented lures are also popular. For alligator gar, their spawning season usually takes place around April but the best months to hunt for them are May, June, July, and August, when the weather is hot and dry. Methods for catching this large fish are bowfishing, rod-and-reel, and passive gear such as juglines, limblines, and trotlines.
In Lake Iatt, visitors will be treated to the view of a lake surrounded by cypress trees and, on occasion, a fair number of migratory birds who pass through it. This large body of water, 6,600 acres in size, is primarily a great source of largemouth bass, crappie, and bream. Anglers can also catch blue catfish here.
The availability of largemouth bass is good year-round, but the months of March, April, and May are considered the best time to catch them using minnows, crayfish, nightcrawlers, jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. Meanwhile, the best time to target crappie are from November through February. The most common methods to catch them include:
For anglers who prefer to fish in brackish estuaries, Lake Pontchartrain is the spot for you. This lake is crossed over by the longest continuous bridge over water globally called the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. It is estimated to have an area of 630 square miles and houses various fish species such as red drum, black drum, and spotted seatrout. Black drums are at their peak numbers in March, April, May, and June. They can be caught using conventional bottom rigs with sinkers or one or more drops with single hooks and no sinker.
The scenic and heavily forested Lake D'Arbonne State Park features piney forests, rolling hills, five fishing piers, and the largest lake in north Louisiana. The most common species caught here are largemouth bass, channel catfish, and white crappie. Channel catfish are at their peak in May, June, July, and August, and they are commonly caught using cut bait or nightcrawlers on slip-sinker rigs. As for white crappie, February and March are the prime time to catch them. Common techniques used to catch them include:
The top 10 fish species in Atlanta, LA are largemouth bass, channel catfish, black drum, red drum, spotted sea trout, white crappie, blue catfish, bream, alligator gar, and lake trout.
The most pleasant months to visit Atlanta, Louisiana, are October, April, and May. Meanwhile, the least comfortable months are July and August. As for fishing, September through February are the most marketed period for fishing, but redfish lovers are invited to come here in March, April, and May for the said months to see a great yield of the said species.
Give yourself a stress-free fishing trip by booking a private charter. You don't have to worry about operating or bringing your boat to explore the various fishing spots surrounding Atlanta, Louisiana. A licensed guide who knows the place inside out will be there to help you out. So, enjoy that much-deserved break and fish to your heart's content, minus the hassle!
The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame, located just a few minutes from Atlanta, Louisiana, was built in 1987 to honor the state's most well-known politicians and political journalists. It houses artifacts and memorabilia, including records on the activities of the politicians in the Long Family, a well-known political family in Louisiana. Over the years, over 100,000 artifacts have been collected and one of which is a 1951 Chevrolet Sedan sound truck utilized by Earl Long.
The only national forest in all of Louisiana has a lot of piney hills and hardwood bottoms in seven central and northern parishes. Forming part of some of Louisiana's oldest rocks, it is one of the largest natural landscapes in the whole state, covering 604,000 acres. With an area this big, you have plenty of pine-filled space to explore, and you can take part in other fun activities, such as hiking and kayaking.