Catahoula Coulee Fishing Guide, Saint Martin Parish, Louisiana

• Overview

  Catahoula Coulee is set in Saint Martin Parish, Louisiana. The sea is 28 miles distant. Catahoula is the closest place, 0.1 miles off. For a city, Lafayette is 19 miles off. Alternatives close at hand: Lake Martin after 3 miles, 5.9 miles away is Willow Lake, Cow Island Lake after 6.2 miles, 12 miles away is Lake Martin and Spanish Lake after 14 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Catahoula Coulee

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Gravel runs and silted pools fish quite differently, so treat them apart. After rain the colour clears from the surface first, so fish the edges. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists channel catfish, redear sunfish, spotted gar and white bass. The list reflects reported sightings and surveys rather than what is stocked. On Catahoula Coulee the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 82°F on average, January about 51°F. There is no cold season worth the name. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. The season on Catahoula Coulee follows the weather closely. Settled weather over several days beats a single fine one.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Mapping shows a ramp about half a mile from the shore. There is recorded parking some half a mile off. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Lake Martin, 3 miles out. What applies at Catahoula Coulee may have changed since it was mapped.