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Port guide / Louisiana / Louisiana
Hopedale fishing guide
Hopedale sits at the end of Highway 624 in lower St. Bernard Parish, on Bayou La Loutre and the old Mississippi River Gulf Outlet. Deep bayous run right next to shallow broken marsh, so trout and reds can be caught all year, even in winter. From the marinas you can stay inside in lakes like Robin, Eloi and Coquille, or run out to Black Bay, Breton Sound and the islands when the wind lays down.
10 ft, conditions now
Conditions now
Live from NOAA and the National Weather Service. Times show in your own time zone.
Today’s bite
A forecast built from live data and the calendar below. Not a catch report.
Working out today from the tides, water and calendar.
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.
7 day forecast
National Weather Service, for Hopedale. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Shell Beach, LA (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Bay Waveland Yacht Club, MS (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Chandeleur Sound (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Hopedale. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
15 ft, fishing reports
Fishing reports
What people are catching, on what, and where. Every report links to whoever wrote it. We do not write these ourselves.
Latest reports
From local captains, shops and outdoor writers. Newest first, last 14 days.
- Checking the latest reports.
Report sources: Great Days Outdoors Louisiana Delta Fishing Report (opens in a new tab) Louisiana Sportsman (opens in a new tab) Captain Experiences St. Bernard and Delacroix guide reports (opens in a new tab)
Straight from the dock
Reports sent to us by shops and captains on this guide. We check each one before it posts.
Checking for reports.
20 ft, what is biting
What is biting, month by month
When each fish is at its best around Hopedale. 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 |
| Black drum | 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 |
| Tripletail | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Jack crevalle | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Speckled trout
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Deep bayous next to shallow water hold 3 and 4 pound trout even in winter, and in summer guides fish big live croakers on Carolina rigs around the Black Bay and Breton Sound rigs.
Redfish
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Reds stack up in the new cuts of broken marsh around Calebasse, Coquille and Lake of Second Trees when the tide is moving; work a spoon slow on the bottom from the downcurrent side.
Black drum
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
A regular part of the inshore mix out of Hopedale, best from March through October.
Sheepshead
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Caught inshore all year, best from April through October.
Tripletail
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
A warm weather target for Hopedale guides from April through October.
Jack crevalle
Around all year; a summer 2026 guide report out of Hopedale had sharks and jack crevalle mixed in with the trout.
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. Season dates and bag limits 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 until further notice. Does not cover federally permitted charter boats.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal for-hire (federally permitted charter boats)
Open 12:01 a.m. June 1, 2026, to 12:01 a.m. October 26, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gag grouper, Louisiana state waters
Open 12:01 a.m. September 1 to 11:59 p.m. 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; closed after that until September 1, 2027.
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)
Gray triggerfish, Louisiana state waters
LDWF lists gray triggerfish as closed January 1 through the end of February and June 1 through July 31. The same LDWF table also lists the fall opening as September 1, so check LDWF before keeping one in August.
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
- Marsh
Calebasse, Coquille and Lake of Second Trees broken marsh
Redfish stack in the new cuts where water runs through the broken marsh on a moving tide.
- Bay
Black Bay and Breton Sound rigs
Carolina rig a big live croaker on the bottom around the rigs for 4 to 6 pound trout.
- Bay
Lake Robin, Lake Eloi, Half Moon Bay and the Bernard area
Inside water close to the marina where you can catch fish on shrimp or plastics without making the long run out.
- Reef
Jancke's Ditch reef, east shore of Lake Borgne
Throw topwaters over the reef at first light or late evening on a high tide for bigger trout.
- Jetty
MRGO rocks
The rocks at the end of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet can be reached from Hopedale, Shell Beach, Yscloskey or Delacroix.
- Bay
Breton Sound islands (Belle Island, Iron Banks, Stone Island)
Good early morning topwater spots in summer, but crowded on weekends.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hopedale Marina (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 7600 Hopedale Hwy, Hopedale, LA 70085 |
| Blackie Campo's Marina and Bait (Shell Beach) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 1301 Yscloskey Hwy, St. Bernard, LA 70085 |
60 ft, bait, tackle and charters
Bait, tackle and charters
Where to get live and fresh bait, tackle and a guide. We are not paid to list anyone here.
Bait and tackle (2)
- MarinaLive bait
Hopedale Marina
Bait: live bait
7600 Hopedale Hwy, Hopedale, LA 70085
Bait shop, boat ramp, RV campground and cabin rentals at the end of the Hopedale Highway; open year round.
- MarinaLive bait
Blackie Campo's Marina and Bait
Bait: live shrimp, dead shrimp
1301 Yscloskey Hwy, St. Bernard, LA 70085
Family bait stand at Shell Beach since 1903 with fuel, ice and a boat launch.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Hopedale Marina (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Louisiana Fishing Expeditions (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Dudenhefer's Fishing Charter (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Bayou Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Big Fish Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Jason's Saltwater Guide Services (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.
Fishing for Faith Rodeo (opens in a new tab)
fall, at Tee Wee's on the Bayou on the Yscloskey Highway
2026: Saturday, October 31 (postponed from an earlier weekend for weather)AWS New Orleans Section Annual Fishing Rodeo (opens in a new tab)
spring, launching from Sweetwater Marina in Delacroix
2026: Saturday, April 11
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Hopedale, asked and answered
When is the best time to fish Hopedale for speckled trout?
Trout are best from March through October, but Hopedale is known for winter trout too because deep bayous sit right next to shallow water. Three and four pound fish in winter are not unusual.
Where do Hopedale anglers find redfish?
Look in the cuts of broken marsh around Calebasse, Coquille and Lake of Second Trees when the tide is moving. Anchor on the downcurrent side and work a spoon slow along the bottom.
Where can I launch and buy live bait near Hopedale?
Hopedale Marina at the end of Highway 624 has a ramp and sells live bait. Campo's at Shell Beach on the Yscloskey Highway has sold live and dead shrimp and run a launch for generations.
Can I keep flounder this time of year?
Not from October 15 through November 30. Louisiana closes southern flounder harvest for everyone during that window every year.
What tide and weather stations should I check for Hopedale?
Use the NOAA Shell Beach station for tides and wind, and the NWS Chandeleur Sound marine forecast (GMZ536). Shell Beach is not used here for water temperature, so check the Bay Waveland Yacht Club station for that.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Hopedale
Sources for this guide (18), last checked 2026-10-27
- captainexperiences.com/fishing-reports/locations/louisiana/buras (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/louisiana/hopedale/seasonality?sport=1 (opens in a new tab)
- sections.aws.org/neworleans/2026/03/11/25th-annual-fishing-rodeo/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitstbernard.com/event/fishing-for-faith-rodeo/ (opens in a new tab)
- visitstbernard.com/play/fishing/hire-guide/ (opens in a new tab)
- wlf.louisiana.gov/fishing/saltwater-seasons-limits (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/fishing/fishing-offshore-charter-adventure-venice (opens in a new tab)
- explorelouisiana.com/boating/hopedale-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/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gulf-america-red-snapper-recreat (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/recreational-fishing-season-length-announcement-greater-amberj (opens in a new tab)
- louisianasportsman.com/fishing/inshore-fishing/louisiana-outdoor-treasures-campos-and-fish (opens in a new tab)
- louisianasportsman.com/fishing/inshore-fishing/the-hopedale-highway/ (opens in a new tab)
- louisianasportsman.com/fishing/inshore-fishing/why-shell-beach/ (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 Hopedale
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.