Chatham Lake Fishing in Jackson Parish, Louisiana

• Overview

  Jackson Parish in Louisiana is where Chatham Lake sits. It lies 171 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 106 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. The bank runs about 1.7 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. It sits higher than most water we list in Louisiana. For a base, Jonesboro sits 16 miles out. Beyond it, Ruston at 18 miles and Bawcomville at 20 miles. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Chatham Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Biodiversity records within roughly six miles include bluntnose darter, swamp darter and cypress minnow. Use it to know what is possible here, not what is certain. On Chatham Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 81°F, while January sits near 45°F. Warm months push fish deep; cool months bring them back. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer squeezes it into the edges of the day. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Time your trip to Chatham Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Parking within half a mile means no long carry with tackle. A light spinning outfit with a small box of lures and some bait covers most of what swims here. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. The nearest alternative is Caney Creek, 7 miles out. Signs at Chatham Lake carry more weight than any list.