Evans Old River Fishing Guide, Vernon Parish, Louisiana

• Overview

  Louisiana holds Evans Old River, in Vernon Parish. The surface lies 108 feet up. At 9 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Merryville is the closest town at 12 miles. Then Newton, 15 miles, and Rosepine, 15 miles. In the same area: Horseshoe Lake out at 1.4 miles, Joe Lake within 2.1 miles, Fowler Old River out at 4.5 miles, Jones Lake within 4.8 miles and Brooks Eddy out at 5 miles. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Evans Old River

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Documented catches and surveys in the area cover largemouth bass, flathead grey mullet, threadfin shad and spotted bass. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish in this exact water on the day. Evans Old River gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 82°F and January near 48°F. Fish stay active all year, but they move with the heat. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. On Evans Old River that shapes the whole year. Long daylight spreads fish out; short daylight concentrates them.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Mapping classes it as an oxbow: an old river bend cut off from the main channel. Mapping is blank for access, so scout the approach before committing the car. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Should this one be busy, Horseshoe Lake is 1.4 miles off. Treat access at Evans Old River as something to verify.