Dufrene Ponds in Saint Charles Parish: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Dufrene Ponds lies in Saint Charles Parish, in Louisiana. It sits 20 miles in from the sea. Surface area runs to roughly 2.4 sq miles, so plan for one area rather than the whole. Shoreline length is close to 7.3 miles, and each section fishes a little differently. Supplies mean a trip to Des Allemands, 1.6 miles off. Further out sit Bayou Gauche (4.4 miles) and Paradis (6.1 miles). Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Dufrene Ponds

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Records collected within a few miles name bantam sunfish, largemouth bass, Alligator gar and redspotted sunfish. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Dufrene Ponds the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 82°F and January reads 52°F. Warm water year-round keeps fish moving through every month. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. Autumn steadies things again once the heat lets go. It holds true on Dufrene Ponds more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Bayou Trois Chenes sits 3 miles off and takes the overflow. None of that is settled for Dufrene Ponds in what we hold.