🎣 4 curated fishing spots
🗺️ Interactive map
📍 Community places
New Orleans sits at the edge of some of the most productive marsh fishing in North America — a maze of bayous, ponds, and marshes stretching from the city's own Bayou St. John out to the legendary Delacroix and Barataria basins less than an hour away. Redfish and speckled trout are the everyday catch across nearly all of it.
Anyone 18 or older needs a Basic Fishing Licence for Louisiana's freshwater species, plus a Saltwater Licence for anything south of the state's saltwater line — in practice, almost anyone targeting redfish or speckled trout around New Orleans needs both. Residents born before June 1940 are exempt; check current Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rules before you fish.
Fishing Spots
The 4 best fishing spots in New Orleans
All spots are curated and mapped — click any card for the full story, or open the map to explore.
Practical Info
Planning your visit
Best timeSpring and fall for the strongest redfish and speckled trout action in the marsh, when cooling fronts push fish into the bayous and drains.
Getting thereLouis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) connects to most major US hubs. Bayou St. John is fishable on foot in the city; Delacroix, Lafitte, and the rest of the marsh need a boat, best arranged through a local guide.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about New Orleans
Do you need a licence to fish in New Orleans?
Yes — anyone 18 or older needs a Basic Fishing Licence, plus a Saltwater Licence for any saltwater species, which covers virtually all of the marsh fishing around New Orleans.
What fish can you catch in New Orleans?
Redfish and speckled trout are the marsh staples, flounder and black drum are common bycatch, and largemouth bass and catfish hold in the city's own freshwater bayous.
Where are the best fishing spots in New Orleans?
Delacroix for legendary marsh redfish, Bayou Bienvenue for an easy trip from the city, and Lafitte for Barataria Basin access. See the full list of spots below or open the map to explore.
Can you fish in New Orleans without a boat?
Bayou St. John, in Mid-City, is fished entirely from the bank — the marsh systems further out, like Delacroix and Lafitte, all need a boat.
When is the best time to fish in New Orleans?
Spring and fall, when cooling fronts concentrate redfish and speckled trout in the bayous and drains. Summer pushes trout out toward the outer bays.
Explore New Orleans on the map
See all 4 fishing spots pinned on an interactive map — and add your own discoveries.
Roadmap
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