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Port guide / Louisiana / Louisiana
Grand Isle fishing guide
Grand Isle is a barrier island with Caminada Pass on the west end, Barataria Pass on the east end, and about seven miles of Gulf beach in between. Locals fish the surf, piers, rocks and back marsh for speckled trout and reds, and kayak anglers work Caminada Bay and the bridge at Caminada Pass. Offshore, the oil platforms act as reefs for snapper and draw tuna, wahoo, mahi and billfish, and the island hosts the Tarpon Rodeo every July.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Tides
- Loading the next highs and lows from NOAA.
On the water now
- Water
- Checking
- Wind
- Checking
Marine forecast
Loading the National Weather Service forecast.
NOAA tides, Grand Isle, LA (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from Southwest Pass to Port Fourchon, LA out 20 nm (inside waters: GMZ543 Barataria Bay) (opens in a new tab)
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Grand Isle. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled trout | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Flounder | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Spanish mackerel | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Sheepshead | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Black drum | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Florida pompano | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Red snapper | Slow | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
Speckled trout
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Surf fishing for trout goes all year but is best in spring and summer; inshore they bite best early and late on a moving tide.
Redfish
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Reds are in the marsh all year and move into surf range in fall and winter.
Flounder
Peak: September, October
Best in fall during the migration, but state waters close October 15 to November 30.
Tarpon
Peak: July, August
The island's signature fish; the Tarpon Rodeo runs every July.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Rated best March through October on Grand Isle.
Sheepshead
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Rated best April through October on Grand Isle.
Black drum
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Caught in the surf along with white trout and sea perch.
Florida pompano
Peak: February, March, April, May, October, November
Rated best in spring and again in October and November.
Red snapper
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Caught around the offshore oil platforms, which act as manmade reefs; keep them only during the Louisiana season.
30 ft, seasons and rules
Seasons and rules
Open and close dates we could confirm from official sources, plus where to check limits before you keep a fish.
Red snapper, Louisiana private recreational and state charter
The 2026 Louisiana season opened May 1, 2026, in state waters and federal waters off Louisiana. Bag limit and dates can change during the year.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Louisiana private recreational and state charter
Closed August 9, 2026, reopened August 27 to 30 and September 4 to 7, 2026, then closed again September 7 until further notice. Does not cover federally permitted charter boats.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Louisiana state waters
Open September 1 to September 30, 2026.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, federal Gulf waters
Open 12:01 a.m. September 1, 2026, to 12:01 a.m. October 1, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, federal Gulf waters
Open September 1, 2026, to 12:01 a.m. October 14, 2026, a 43 day season.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Southern flounder, Louisiana state waters
Closed to recreational and commercial harvest October 15 through November 30 every year.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, annual, applies to 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Pass
Caminada Pass
West end of the island; kayak anglers fish along the bridge and rocky shoreline, with Elmer's Island across the pass.
- Pass
Barataria Pass
East end of the island; expect heavy commercial boat traffic.
- Beach
Grand Isle beach
About seven miles of Gulf beach with more than 20 access lanes; check signs for areas where fishing is prohibited.
- Beach
Elmer's Island
Barrier island across the Valence Memorial Bridge with a state wildlife refuge and public beach.
- Reef
Artificial reef off Ludwig Lane
A short paddle from the public kayak launch at the end of Ludwig Lane, marked by signs and PVC poles.
- Offshore
Offshore oil platforms
Local guides call the platforms the best manmade reefs in the Gulf for snapper, grouper and tuna.
50 ft, launch and piers
Ramps and piers
Public launches and fishing piers. Fees and hours change, so check the link before you tow.
| Name | Type | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge Side Marina (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 1618 LA Hwy 1, Grand Isle, LA 70358 |
| Sand Dollar Marina (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 158 Sand Dollar Court, Grand Isle, LA |
| Grand Isle State Park pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Paid | 108 Admiral Craik Dr., Grand Isle, LA |
| Smith Lane Public Fishing Pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | Smith Lane on Bayou Rigaud, Grand Isle, LA |
| Old Caminada Bridge fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | West tip of Grand Isle, LA |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Local shops and guides. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle
| Shop | Where | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge Side Marina (opens in a new tab) | 1618 LA Hwy 1, Grand Isle, LA 70358 | (985) 787-2419 |
| Sand Dollar Marina (opens in a new tab) | 158 Sand Dollar Court, Grand Isle, LA | 985-787-2500 |
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Reel Screamers Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Gotta Go Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Pair-A-Dice Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo (opens in a new tab)
usually late July
2026: July 23 to 25Grand Isle Ladies Fishing Rodeo (opens in a new tab)
October
2026: October 9 and 10Louisiana Gulf Coast Billfish Classic (opens in a new tab)
spring, with boats leaving Hurricane Hole Marina in Grand Isle and Cypress Cove Marina in Venice
2026: May 4 to 6 (tournament days on the official scoring site)
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Grand Isle, asked and answered
When is the best time to fish Grand Isle for speckled trout?
March through October is the best stretch, and surf fishing for trout is especially good in spring and summer. Fish early or late on a moving tide.
Can I fish from shore on Grand Isle?
Yes. Grand Isle State Park has a paid pier, there is a public pier on Smith Lane at Bayou Rigaud and the Old Caminada Bridge pier at the west tip, and about seven miles of beach with more than 20 access lanes is open to surf fishing except where signs say it is prohibited.
When is the Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo?
It runs in late July. The 2026 rodeo is July 23 to 25.
Where can I launch a boat on Grand Isle?
Bridge Side Marina on Highway 1 and Sand Dollar Marina both have ramps and also sell bait and tackle. Call ahead about fees.
Can I keep flounder in the fall?
Flounder are best in the fall migration, but Louisiana state waters close to flounder harvest October 15 through November 30 every year.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Grand Isle
Sources for this guide (21), last checked 2026-10-26
- captainexperiences.com/locations/louisiana/boothville-venice/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/louisiana/grand-isle/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- grandisleevents.org (opens in a new tab)
- plaqueminesparishtourism.com/fishing-rodeos (opens in a new tab)
- visitjeffersonparish.com/outdoors/fishing/marinas/ (opens in a new tab)
- wlf.louisiana.gov/news/2026-state-gag-grouper-season-to-open-september-1-and-close-october (opens in a new tab)
- explorelouisiana.com/articles/bountiful-waters-lure-saltwater-fishermen-louisiana (opens in a new tab)
- explorelouisiana.com/articles/fishing-grand-isle-louisiana-kayak-shore-pier-spots (opens in a new tab)
- explorelouisiana.com/articles/louisianas-top-saltwater-fishing-towns (opens in a new tab)
- explorelouisiana.com/fishing/gotta-go-fishing-charters (opens in a new tab)
- explorelouisiana.com/fishing/pair-dice-charters-llc (opens in a new tab)
- explorelouisiana.com/lodging/cabins-cottages/bridge-side-marina (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gag-recreational-season-federal- (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/recreational-fishing-season-length-announcement-greater-amberj (opens in a new tab)
- lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/grand-isle-state-park (opens in a new tab)
- reelscreamers.com (opens in a new tab)
- tarponrodeo.org (opens in a new tab)
- visitjeffersonparish.com/outdoors/national-and-state-parks/grand-isle-state-park/ (opens in a new tab)
- wlf.louisiana.gov/news/flounder-season-set-to-close-october-15-to-november-30-for-commerci (opens in a new tab)
- wlf.louisiana.gov/news/rec-red-snapper-season-reopens-for-two-fourday-periods (opens in a new tab)
- wlf.louisiana.gov/page/red-snapper (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Grand Isle
UPF 50+ fishing shirts, hats and gloves for the Gulf Coast. Free shipping over $100. Ships from Texas, usually within 1 to 2 business days.