Fishing at Alligator Lake, Cameron Parish, Louisiana

• Overview

  The Cameron Parish entry here is Alligator Lake, in Louisiana. The sea is 15 miles distant. At some 508 acres it is far too large to cover on foot in a day. The edge runs 3.0 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. It is low-lying compared with other Louisiana water we list. Nearest town is Gueydan, 17 miles off. It is 47 miles to Lafayette, the nearest city. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Alligator Lake

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Reed and marsh margins hold fish through the moving hours. Flats either side fish on the drop as bait is pushed off them. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include blue catfish, freshwater drum and spotted gar. Take it as evidence of what swims here, not a promise for one session. At Alligator Lake the first feature you find is worth twenty minutes.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 51°F in January up to 82°F in July. Heat, not cold, decides when to be on the water. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. It holds true on Alligator Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Lake Le Bleu at 1.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Alligator Lake before loading the car.