Smith Bay Fishing Guide, Concordia Parish, Louisiana

• Overview

  Look for Smith Bay in the Concordia Parish part of Louisiana. It sits at 36 feet above sea level. Simmesport lies 12 miles from the water. Mansura is 20 miles and Marksville 20 miles. Within a short run: Silver Lakes some 1.6 miles off, Lower Sunk Lake 1.7 miles, Grand Lake some 2.5 miles off, Cross Lake 2.7 miles and Morel Lake some 2.7 miles off. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Smith Bay

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Open occurrence data for the surrounding area lists flathead catfish, black carp, silver carp and bighead carp. Reported species tell you what lives around here, nothing more. Anyone new to Smith Bay should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 82°F; the cold one sits at 48°F. Fish stay active all year, but they move with the heat. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Time your trip to Smith Bay by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. For the catfish, fish bottom baits into the deeper holes and let them sit. Parking space is the usual limit rather than the bank itself. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Should this one be busy, Silver Lakes is 1.6 miles off. Ask locally about Smith Bay if anything is unclear.