Bayou la Croix, LA

Bayou la Croix is a swamp situated in Avoyelles Parish in Louisiana. Cutoff Lake, Bayou L’ Enciente, Breath Bayou, and Catfish Bayou are some of the neighboring water bodies of this swamp. Consistent with most of the rivers and lakes in Louisiana, Bayou la Croix is also a live waterway utilized for recreational activities and commerce. Locals open their community to the world to reveal the state’s natural and cultural background.

Bayou la Croix made it to the list of wetland habitats protected as a state natural area preserve in the state as threats to the natural ecosystem of these bodies of water became alarming. Specifically, the local residences’ open septic systems along the edge of the bayou have presented risks, damaging the ecological integrity of the environment. The coastal preserves program aimed to restore, protect, manage, and enhance the coastal marsh and the associated habitats of Bayou la Croix, together with the other habitats such as pine forests, hardwood forests, coastal wetlands, marshes, barrier islands, and coastal dunes.

All About Fishing in Bayou la Croix, LA

Fisherfolks and boaters are fond of visiting Bayou la Croix, not only because of the occasional fishing opportunity it offers but also the diverse biotic community it has. The locals have reported catching fish in the bayou, including alligator gar, largemouth bass, hardhead sea catfish, red drum, summer flounder, blue catfish, yellow-eye mullet, and black drum. They also recognize this protected marsh as dominated by estuarine ecosystem, consisting of needle rush, smooth cordgrass, cypress, wild rice, cow lily, arrow arum, salt meadow grass, common reed, and eelgrass.

Anglers usually use trolling motors in fishing Bayou la Croix. When trolling, you may want to keep a safe distance in positioning your lures to prevent them from tangling with each other. Get as far as you can into the marsh at your convenience. The farther you proceed into the water, the more fish you can acquire. You may also look for drains and pockets in the marsh as most fish search for abnormalities in the water where they settle for a while. Aside from troll fishing, fisherfolks also practice fly fishing to catch redfish in this swamp. They use artificial flies to mimic real live insects, placed at the tip of fly rods for the fish to bite. And they typically prefer artificial baits in trapping redfish. However, live baits such as shrimps and minnows are stacked in their boat, too, just in case needed. Just bear in mind that redfish bites on your lure as an impulsive response from your cast, and not necessarily due to believing that the fly is real food.

After fishing at Bayou la Croix, you may also scout for other fishing hotspots nearby. You can always experience catching bass and red drum at Riverline Lake Dam, Bayou Brewer, Gulfport Harbor, Bayou Bienvenue, Flint Creek Reservoir, Jourdan River, Umbrella Bayou, and Edwards Bayou.

Fishing Seasonality

It is best to strike during the winter season to maximize your fishing experience in Bayou la Croix. September to December are the prime months to visit, especially on days closer to December.  The cold weather drives the large fish toward brackish waters and allows shallow-water redfish to bite more, providing an optimum chance of productive yields. The low temperature also clears out the water more for better fish visibility. So, you can aim with higher efficiency when you try to cast.

If the winter season does not work for your schedule, any season can be a fruitful and challenging fishing experience in Louisiana. It is best to research first and secure the necessary fishing license. You may also avail of guided trips, having experienced anglers tagged along to make the most out of your fishing adventure.

Fishing Seasonality

It is best to strike during the winter season to maximize your fishing experience in Bayou la Croix. September to December are the prime months to visit, especially on days closer to December.  The cold weather drives the large fish toward brackish waters and allows shallow-water redfish to bite more, providing an optimum chance of productive yields. The low temperature also clears out the water more for better fish visibility. So, you can aim with higher efficiency when you try to cast.

If the winter season does not work for your schedule, any season can be a fruitful and challenging fishing experience in Louisiana. It is best to research first and secure the necessary fishing license. You may also avail of guided trips, having experienced anglers tagged along to make the most out of your fishing adventure.

All About Fishing in Bayou la Croix, LA

Fisherfolks and boaters are fond of visiting Bayou la Croix, not only because of the occasional fishing opportunity it offers but also the diverse biotic community it has. The locals have reported catching fish in the bayou, including alligator gar, largemouth bass, hardhead sea catfish, red drum, summer flounder, blue catfish, yellow-eye mullet, and black drum. They also recognize this protected marsh as dominated by estuarine ecosystem, consisting of needle rush, smooth cordgrass, cypress, wild rice, cow lily, arrow arum, salt meadow grass, common reed, and eelgrass.

Anglers usually use trolling motors in fishing Bayou la Croix. When trolling, you may want to keep a safe distance in positioning your lures to prevent them from tangling with each other. Get as far as you can into the marsh at your convenience. The farther you proceed into the water, the more fish you can acquire. You may also look for drains and pockets in the marsh as most fish search for abnormalities in the water where they settle for a while. Aside from troll fishing, fisherfolks also practice fly fishing to catch redfish in this swamp. They use artificial flies to mimic real live insects, placed at the tip of fly rods for the fish to bite. And they typically prefer artificial baits in trapping redfish. However, live baits such as shrimps and minnows are stacked in their boat, too, just in case needed. Just bear in mind that redfish bites on your lure as an impulsive response from your cast, and not necessarily due to believing that the fly is real food.

After fishing at Bayou la Croix, you may also scout for other fishing hotspots nearby. You can always experience catching bass and red drum at Riverline Lake Dam, Bayou Brewer, Gulfport Harbor, Bayou Bienvenue, Flint Creek Reservoir, Jourdan River, Umbrella Bayou, and Edwards Bayou.