Lake Bistineau Fishing in Bossier Parish, Louisiana

• Overview

  Set in Bossier Parish, Louisiana, this is Lake Bistineau. What surrounds it is oak and grass. It covers about 20.4 sq miles, which means weather matters as much as tactics. Long inlets mean the far ends can be calm while the main body is rough. Nothing else we list in Bossier Parish covers more water. The closest town, Ringgold, is 7.7 miles distant. It is 24 miles to Shreveport, the nearest city. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Lake Bistineau

  25 ft is what our records show. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists dollar sunfish and striped shiner. The records cover the area rather than this water alone. On Lake Bistineau the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 82°F, with January the cold end at about 45°F. No part of the year shuts this water. The first and last hours carry the summer; the middle is slow. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Lake Bistineau rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The shoreline is public, so the licence is the main requirement. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the panfish, a small hook, a float and a piece of worm outfish everything fancy. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Lake Ninock sits 7.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Ask locally about Lake Bistineau if anything is unclear.