Lake Pontchartrain Fishing in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana

• Overview

  The Jefferson Parish entry here is Lake Pontchartrain, in Louisiana. Around the bank it is warm bottomland. At roughly 637.2 sq miles it ranks among the larger waters in the region. The shape is regular, which means fewer obvious ambush corners. It is the biggest water on our Jefferson Parish list. Head to Mandeville, 13 miles away, for anything you forgot. Kenner follows at 15 miles, then Metairie at 15 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lake Pontchartrain

  Surveys put the deepest water at about 66 feet. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Fish reported in the area, according to open records, include skipjack herring, Alligator gar and redspotted sunfish. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Lake Pontchartrain a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 83°F, with January the cold end at about 53°F. Heat, not cold, shapes the year here. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. Late winter often fishes better here than midsummer does. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lake Pontchartrain.

• Tackle & Baits

  The shoreline is public, so the licence is the main requirement. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. 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. Failing this one, try Bayou Des Mats, 14 miles away. Check the current arrangement for Lake Pontchartrain.