About Forty Arpent Canal, LA

The Forty Arpent Canal, also sometimes referred to as Florida Canal, is a freshwater canal found in the New Orleans metropolitan area in Louisiana. Constructed in the 18th century, it originates in Faubourg Marigny, running side by side with the Mississippi River to the east as it continues its way down to the East Bank of Plaquemines. On the riverside of the canal, there’s a roadway built using the dug-up earth when the canal was being constructed. In the past, the canal was an industrial feature used by small vessels to move between plantations.

The Forty Arpent Canal is made up of smaller, disconnected canals. Around the 19th and 20th centuries, the old Forty Arpent Canal was divided into several parts to accommodate the construction of perpendicular canals. That is why today, the canal’s name has two varieties depending on location. In places like Plaquemines and Saint Bernard people would refer to it as simply Forty Arpent Canal, while in other areas like New Orleans, people would call it Florida Canal. Although less popular than the two, Da Forty is another nickname given to it by anglers.

About Fishing in Forty Arpent Canal, LA

Originally used for shipping, the Forty Arpent Canal turned into a recreational playground over time. While it still functions as a drainage today, multiple parts of the canal became a favorite spot for nature lovers, most especially anglers. In fact, a place called 40 Arpent Wetlands Observatory in Chalmette offers access to the canal for fishing and other water sports like kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boating.

On the canal, anglers would have a field day catching different fish species, the most popular of which are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, red drum, and rainbow trout. Basic equipment, such as a light-action rod with artificial worms, is more than enough to give you hours of recreational thrill.

Avid anglers would agree that many canals are relatively similar in terms of construction, so the ways and techniques to make your angling trip productive and fun should be identical, too. For example, most canals are built with a deep center, a shallow ledge on both sides, and a towpath. A lot of species prefer to hang around in shallow parts because boats passing in the deep channel generate turbulence that interrupts them. This means if you want to increase your chances, better to throw your bait out into the shallower sides. Also, you want to be at the right spot, so if you’re after bigger sizes, keep in mind that the bigger fish usually stay away from the crowded side of the towpath in favor of the calm and quiet areas of the water.

Fishing Seasonality

The Forty Arpent Canal is rich in bass action all year long. It has plenty of big largemouth and smallmouth waiting to take the bait anytime. But while bass is one of the easiest species to catch, there are certain time-related guidelines to remember if you’re playing the number game.

Bass activity increases under lower light conditions, so take advantage of early mornings, late afternoons, and overcast or rainy days. As for seasonality, March to June and the summer are the best seasons for bass fishing. Bass usually kick off spawning activities in spring, greatly increasing their feeding habits, so your chances of getting a bite are good. During summer when the spawning season ends, bass will be back more aggressive than ever. They will be everywhere from the shallows to the deep channels, so you’ll experience a lot of action, too.

Fishing Seasonality

The Forty Arpent Canal is rich in bass action all year long. It has plenty of big largemouth and smallmouth waiting to take the bait anytime. But while bass is one of the easiest species to catch, there are certain time-related guidelines to remember if you’re playing the number game.

Bass activity increases under lower light conditions, so take advantage of early mornings, late afternoons, and overcast or rainy days. As for seasonality, March to June and the summer are the best seasons for bass fishing. Bass usually kick off spawning activities in spring, greatly increasing their feeding habits, so your chances of getting a bite are good. During summer when the spawning season ends, bass will be back more aggressive than ever. They will be everywhere from the shallows to the deep channels, so you’ll experience a lot of action, too.

About Fishing in Forty Arpent Canal, LA

Originally used for shipping, the Forty Arpent Canal turned into a recreational playground over time. While it still functions as a drainage today, multiple parts of the canal became a favorite spot for nature lovers, most especially anglers. In fact, a place called 40 Arpent Wetlands Observatory in Chalmette offers access to the canal for fishing and other water sports like kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boating.

On the canal, anglers would have a field day catching different fish species, the most popular of which are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, red drum, and rainbow trout. Basic equipment, such as a light-action rod with artificial worms, is more than enough to give you hours of recreational thrill.

Avid anglers would agree that many canals are relatively similar in terms of construction, so the ways and techniques to make your angling trip productive and fun should be identical, too. For example, most canals are built with a deep center, a shallow ledge on both sides, and a towpath. A lot of species prefer to hang around in shallow parts because boats passing in the deep channel generate turbulence that interrupts them. This means if you want to increase your chances, better to throw your bait out into the shallower sides. Also, you want to be at the right spot, so if you’re after bigger sizes, keep in mind that the bigger fish usually stay away from the crowded side of the towpath in favor of the calm and quiet areas of the water.