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Port guide / Louisiana / Louisiana
Lafitte fishing guide
Lafitte and Barataria sit on Bayou Barataria in the Barataria estuary, a maze of marsh, bayous and lakes running from Lake Salvador and Lake Cataouatche south toward Barataria Bay. This is inland fishing: redfish and speckled trout make up most of the catch, with flounder and black drum in the brackish water and bass and catfish in the fresher lakes. It is an easy drive from New Orleans, and the shallow marsh is tricky to navigate, so many people fish it with a guide.
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, Lafitte, Barataria Waterway, LA (opens in a new tab) NOAA station West Bank 1, Bayou Gauche, LA (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, 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 Lafitte. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Speckled trout | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Flounder | 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 |
| Largemouth bass | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Blue catfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Tarpon | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Peak | Peak | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
Redfish
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
The bread and butter here, caught in the bayous, marsh and coves around Bayou Barataria.
Speckled trout
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Fished in the bayous, marsh and lakes of the Barataria estuary; spring is the busiest season.
Flounder
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Caught along Bayou Barataria and in Lake Salvador, but state waters close October 15 to November 30.
Black drum
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
A regular target for Lafitte inshore guides.
Sheepshead
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Rated best April through October around Lafitte.
Largemouth bass
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Found in the fresher water of Lake Salvador, Lake Cataouatche and Bayou Segnette.
Blue catfish
Peak: May, June, July, August, September, October
Caught in Lake Salvador and the fresher bayous.
Tarpon
Peak: June, July, August
Tarpon migrate through the bayous in summer, but they are never a guarantee.
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
- Channel
Bayou Barataria
Charters work its channels and coves for redfish, speckled trout and flounder.
- Bay
Lake Salvador
Holds bass and catfish plus redfish, trout and flounder; guides fish anywhere between Lake Salvador and Mud Lake.
- Bay
Lake Cataouatche
A shallow freshwater lake with bass, catfish and crappie that also gives up reds and trout; hard to navigate, so a guide helps.
- Marsh
Barataria estuary marsh
The bayous, marshes and swamps of Barataria are where local guides spend most of their days.
- Reef
Lafitte Reef
An artificial reef that charters run to for red snapper, grouper and other deeper water fish.
- Marsh
Barataria Preserve, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park
Good for easy kayaking in the marsh close to town.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jean Lafitte Harbor (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 4932 Kenal Road, Lafitte, LA |
| Bayou Segnette State Park boat launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 7777 Westbank Expressway, Westwego, LA |
| Jean Lafitte public boat ramp on Bayou Barataria (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 865 Jean Lafitte Blvd, Lafitte, LA 70067 |
| Joe's Landing back-down launch ramps (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 4811 Privateer Blvd., Barataria, LA 70036 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jean Lafitte Harbor (opens in a new tab) | 4932 Kenal Road, Lafitte, LA | 504-689-2013 |
| Joe's Landing (live bait, ice, fuel, fishing licenses) (opens in a new tab) | 4811 Privateer Blvd., Barataria, LA 70036 | 504-689-4304 |
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| Jean Lafitte Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Last Cast 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.
International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo (Grand Isle) (opens in a new tab)
usually late July
2026: July 23 to 25Grand Isle Redfish Rodeo (Grand Isle) (opens in a new tab)
every Labor Day weekend at Bridge Side Marina, Grand Isle
2026: September 4 to 6
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Lafitte, asked and answered
What can I catch fishing out of Lafitte?
Redfish and speckled trout make up most of the catch, with flounder and black drum in the brackish water and sheepshead best April through October. The fresher lakes like Lake Salvador and Lake Cataouatche hold bass and catfish.
When is the best time to fish Lafitte?
Spring is the most popular season, and reds and trout are rated best from March through October. Tarpon move through the bayous in summer, but they are never a sure thing.
Where can I launch a boat near Lafitte?
Jean Lafitte Harbor on Kenal Road has a launch and sells bait, and Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego has a boat launch.
Do I need a guide to fish Lafitte?
You do not need one, but the shallow marsh is tricky to navigate, so many people fish it with a guide.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Lafitte
Sources for this guide (16), last checked 2026-10-26
- captainexperiences.com/locations/louisiana/lafitte (opens in a new tab)
- captainexperiences.com/locations/louisiana/lafitte/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- howsyourriver.com/access_sites/jean-lafitte (opens in a new tab)
- townofjeanlafitte.com/joes-landing-3/ (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/louisianas-top-saltwater-fishing-towns (opens in a new tab)
- explorelouisiana.com/family-fun/jean-lafitte-fishing-charters (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)
- jeanlafittecharters.com (opens in a new tab)
- tarponrodeo.org (opens in a new tab)
- visitjeffersonparish.com/events/festivals/grand-isle-redfish-rodeo/ (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 Lafitte
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.