Willow Lake Fishing near Catahoula, Louisiana

• Overview

  You will find Willow Lake in Saint Martin Parish, Louisiana. It stands 7 feet above sea level. At roughly 11 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It is a small entry by Saint Martin Parish standards. The nearest town is Catahoula, 5.8 miles away. Saint Martinville lies 9 miles off, New Iberia another 12 miles. A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Willow Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover bluegill, warmouth, bantam sunfish and blue catfish. Reported species tell you what lives around here, nothing more. Take Willow Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 51°F to 82°F. Heat, not cold, shapes the year here. Heat pushes fish deep from June onwards, so start early. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Willow Lake. Late summer often means an early start or nothing at all.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Should this one be busy, Catahoula Coulee is 5.9 miles off. Check the current arrangement for Willow Lake.