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Port guide / Louisiana / Louisiana
Lake Charles fishing guide
Lake Charles sits on the Calcasieu River, and most of its saltwater fishing happens a half hour south on Calcasieu Lake, the big brackish lake locals call Big Lake, with Hackberry on its west shore. A 50 foot ship channel runs down the middle of the lake to the Cameron Jetties and the Gulf, and the reefs, coves and marsh drains along it hold speckled trout, redfish and flounder. Closer to town, Prien Lake and the river below the Saltwater Barrier are brackish water you can fish from city launches.
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 Lake Charles. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Lake Charles, LA (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Calcasieu Pass, LA (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Calcasieu Lake (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Lake Charles. Depths, channels, reefs and markers, live from NOAA.
The NOAA chart loads when you scroll here.
13 ft, the radar
Rain on the radar
Live NWS radar centered on Lake Charles. The last 50 minutes on a loop, so you can see which way the rain is moving before you launch.
The radar 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: Louisiana Sportsman, Calcasieu Lake tag (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 Lake Charles. This month is marked.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speckled trout | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Redfish | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Southern flounder | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Peak | Slow | Good |
| Black drum | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Good | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Slow |
| Sheepshead | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Good | Slow | Slow |
| Tripletail | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Peak | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
| Cobia (ling) | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow | Good | Good | Good | Good | Slow | Slow | Slow | Slow |
Speckled trout
Peak: April, May, June, October, November
Spring is the time for the really big trout on Calcasieu Lake, while summer and fall bring numbers of school trout under diving birds and over the mid-lake reefs.
Redfish
Peak: September, October, November
Reds roam the shorelines and oyster reefs all year, school under birds in the fall, and bull reds hang around the jetties from June on.
Southern flounder
Peak: October
Fall flounder sit at the cuts and drains, but Louisiana closes harvest October 15 through November 30, so keep that in mind for the October run.
Black drum
Black drum show up in the lake through winter and spring and again in fall, on the same reefs and shorelines as the reds.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead hang on the reefs, rocks and pilings, from winter into summer.
Tripletail
Peak: July
Tripletail start showing around the short rigs in July and are still there in August.
Cobia (ling)
Ling are a late spring and summer fish around the short rigs off Cameron, along with Spanish mackerel and tripletail in August.
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 season opened Friday, May 1, 2026, seven days a week, in state and federal waters for private recreational anglers and in state waters within 9 miles for state charter vessels, to run until landings reach the 2026 private recreational allocation of 882,439 pounds.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, Louisiana private recreational and state charter
After closing for the allocation, the season reopened August 27 to 30 and September 4 to 7, 2026. LDWF now lists the season as closed. This does not cover federally permitted charter boats.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Red snapper, federal waters (federally permitted for-hire boats)
Closed January 1 to May 31. The 2026 for-hire season closed 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, 2026 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 waters
Closed January 1 to August 31. The 2026 season opened September 1 and closed October 1, 2026.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Greater amberjack, federal waters
The 2026 to 2027 season opened September 1 and closed October 14, 2026. The fixed closures are August 1 to 31 and November 1 to July 31.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Gray triggerfish, federal waters
Closed January 1 to February 28 and June 1 to July 31 each year.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Shallow-water grouper, federal waters beyond 20 fathoms
Closed February 1 to March 31 seaward of the 20-fathom contour.
NOAA Fisheries, 2026 Official page (opens in a new tab)
Southern flounder, Louisiana 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
Calcasieu Ship Channel
The roughly 50 foot deep channel down the middle of the lake stays a steady temperature, so fish slide to it in the worst summer heat and winter cold, and reds run along it in January.
- Bay
North end of Calcasieu Lake
The north end is where the big trout are in February and March.
- Reef
Mid-lake oyster reefs
Keeper trout sit on the reefs in spring, the south end reefs and deep reefs hold trout in summer, and the mid-lake reefs fire with birds in September.
- Bay
West Cove
A cove on the west side of Calcasieu Lake that guides point to in September, and the go-to spot along with Mud Lake that month.
- Reef
Turners Bay Reef
A reef in Turners Bay, the water next to the Calcasieu Point Landing canals, that guides name as a September spot.
- Marsh
Grand Bayou Weir
A marsh weir guides point to for October redfish.
- Jetty
Cameron Jetties
The jetties at the mouth of Calcasieu Pass hold trout and bull reds from June through the summer.
- Bay
Prien Lake and the Calcasieu River
Brackish water right in town, reached from the Prien Lake Park, LaFleur Park and I-10 Bridge launches.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calcasieu Point Landing (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 3599 Henry Pugh Blvd., Lake Charles, LA 70605 |
| Calcasieu Point Landing canal fishing pier (opens in a new tab) | Pier | Check | 3599 Henry Pugh Blvd., Lake Charles, LA 70605 |
| Prien Lake Park (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 3700 West Prien Lake Road, Lake Charles, LA 70605 |
| LaFleur Park (I-210) launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | 2937 Kiwanis Ln, Lake Charles, LA 70605 |
| I-10 Bridge Boat Launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Under the I-10 bridge on the east side of the Calcasieu River, off the North Lakeshore Drive exit (N 30.237463, W 93.238985) |
| Saltwater Barrier Boat Launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Calcasieu River (N 30.254314, W 93.218030) |
| Intracoastal Park (Ellender Bridge) (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Intracoastal Waterway at Calcasieu Lake (N 30.065869, W 93.346347) |
| Hackberry Boat Launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Calcasieu Ship Channel and Calcasieu Lake, Hackberry (N 29.987810, W 93.337843) |
| Dugas Landing (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Check | Calcasieu Ship Channel and Calcasieu Lake (N 29.966919, W 93.342184) |
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 (6)
Showing all 6 shops
- MarinaLive bait
Hackberry Fishing Camp and Marina
Bait: live bait
260 Channel Dr., Hackberry, LA 70645
The state tourism listing advertises a live bait shop, a boat ramp and dock, boat slip rentals, lodges, charters and non-ethanol fuel from a dockside pump. It is in Hackberry on Calcasieu Lake, about 35 minutes from Lake Charles.
- Bait and tackle
Lake Charles Tackle
4959 Common St, Lake Charles, LA 70607
- Store
Cajun Fast Mart
4796 LA-27, Sulphur, LA 70665
- Store
FISHERMANS HEADQUARTERS
5340 LA-27, Sulphur, LA 70665
- Store
J T's Seafood
Bait: live crabs, shrimp
2908 Lake St, Lake Charles, LA 70601
- Store
Big Lake Convenience Store
6880 Big Lake Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70605
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides (20)
Showing all 20
| Charter | Fishing | Targets | Leaves from | Call |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hackberry Rod and Gun (opens in a new tab)Light tackle lodge on Calcasieu Lake running inshore and near-shore saltwater trips, with lodging and dining. | Inshore | speckled trout, redfish, flounder | Hackberry Rod and Gun lodge, 485 Lake Breeze Drive, Hackberry | (337) 762-3391 |
| Big Lake Guide Service (opens in a new tab)Based on the east shore of Calcasieu Lake, running inshore trips on the lake and its tributaries and offshore trips to the near-shore platforms, plus light tackle and fly fishing. | Inshore and offshore | speckled trout, redfish, cobia, tripletail | ||
| Hackberry Fishing Camp and Marina (opens in a new tab)Marina with lodges and a live bait shop that also offers fishing charters. | 260 Channel Dr., Hackberry | (832) 444-4892 | ||
| 180 Charters (opens in a new tab)FishingBooker lists a 22 ft boat for up to 4 out of Lake Charles. | Lake Charles | |||
| Cat 5 Fishing Charters LLC (opens in a new tab)FishingBooker lists a 25 ft boat for up to 4 out of Lake Charles. | Lake Charles | |||
| LaVergne Guide Service (opens in a new tab)FishingBooker lists a 22 ft boat for up to 3 out of Lake Charles. | Lake Charles | |||
| Gills & Bills Guide Service (opens in a new tab)FishingBooker lists a 25 ft boat for up to 4 out of Lake Charles. | Lake Charles | |||
| Reel Charters LLC (opens in a new tab)FishingBooker lists a 24 ft boat for up to 4 out of Lake Charles. | Lake Charles | |||
| Waterside Charters (opens in a new tab)Inshore and nearshore trips out of Lake Charles on a 25 ft boat for up to 4. | Inshore and offshore | Lake Charles | ||
| High Tide Charters (opens in a new tab)FishingBooker lists a 25 ft boat for up to 4 out of Lake Charles. | Lake Charles | |||
| Louisiana Fins Guide Service (opens in a new tab)FishingBooker lists a 24 ft boat for up to 4 out of Lake Charles. | Lake Charles | |||
| Fleur De Lis Charters LLC (opens in a new tab)FishingBooker lists a 23 ft boat for up to 4 in Southwest Louisiana. | ||||
| Fishing Tom Guide Service (opens in a new tab)Sulphur based guide featured in an October 2026 Louisiana Sportsman story on fall trout and bull reds on Calcasieu Lake reefs and the Calcasieu Pass jetties. | Inshore | speckled trout, redfish, flounder, black drum | (318) 675-9114 | |
| Hooked & Limited Charters (opens in a new tab)FishingBooker lists a 25 ft boat for up to 4 out of Hackberry. | Hackberry | |||
| Hackberry Guide Service (opens in a new tab) | Nearshore | Hackberry | ||
| A'speck Charters (opens in a new tab)Half day inshore trips in the shallow water of Calcasieu Lake. | Inshore | |||
| Woods Guide Service LLC (opens in a new tab) | Hackberry | |||
| South Marsh Charters (opens in a new tab)Inshore trips on Calcasieu Lake on a 24 ft bay boat for up to 3, leaving from Bourgport Road in Hackberry. | Inshore | speckled trout, redfish, flounder | Hackberry | |
| Marsh Outfitters LLC (opens in a new tab)FishingBooker lists 25 ft center console boats on Calcasieu Lake. | ||||
| Louisiana Offshore Charters (opens in a new tab)Newly listed on FishingBooker out of Cameron. | Cameron |
We are not paid to list anyone. Rates, boats and trips change, so confirm when you book.
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Lake Charles, asked and answered
When is the best time to catch big speckled trout on Calcasieu Lake?
Spring, April through June, is the time for the really big trout, and the north end of the lake holds big fish in February and March. Summer and fall give more consistent numbers of school trout under the birds and over the reefs.
Where do I launch for Calcasieu Lake from Lake Charles?
Calcasieu Point Landing on Henry Pugh Blvd. has three ramps on the canals next to Turners Bay and the lake, and Intracoastal Park at the Ellender Bridge puts you on the Intracoastal near the top of the lake. Down the west side there are launches at Hackberry and Dugas Landing on the ship channel.
Can I fish brackish water without driving to Big Lake?
Yes. Prien Lake and the Calcasieu River in town are brackish to salty, with launches at Prien Lake Park, LaFleur Park under I-210, the I-10 bridge and the Saltwater Barrier.
Can I keep flounder in the fall around Lake Charles?
Not from October 15 through November 30. Louisiana closes southern flounder harvest for all anglers during that window every year, which overlaps the October flounder run at the cuts and drains.
Which NOAA station gives tides for Lake Charles?
Lake Charles, station 8767816, has tide predictions and water temperature but no wind sensor. For wind, use Calcasieu Pass, station 8768094, at Cameron.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Lake Charles
Sources for this guide (22), last checked 2026-10-30
- assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/lakecharles/2014_Fish_Guide_up (opens in a new tab)
- calcasieu.gov/services/parks/prien-lake-park (opens in a new tab)
- fishingbooker.com/charters/view/39632 (opens in a new tab)
- fishingbooker.com/destinations/location/us/LA/lake-charles (opens in a new tab)
- fishingbooker.com/destinations/region/us/lake-calcasieu (opens in a new tab)
- hackberryrodandgun.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- sportfishingmag.com/monthly-fishing-calendar-calcasieu-lake (opens in a new tab)
- unionsportsmen.org/lake-calcasieus-fantastic-inland-saltwater-fishing/ (opens in a new tab)
- biglakeguideservice.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- calcasieu.gov/services/parks/calcasieu-point (opens in a new tab)
- explorelouisiana.com/lodging/cabins-cottages/hackberry-fishing-camp-marina (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing/2025-2026-and-2026-2027-gulf-america-rec (opens in a new tab)
- google.com/maps?cid=14102495787068759727 (opens in a new tab)
- google.com/maps?cid=2375783284190934117 (opens in a new tab)
- google.com/maps?cid=2781238224003916621 (opens in a new tab)
- google.com/maps?cid=5041417948546724197 (opens in a new tab)
- google.com/maps?cid=8643733601247639842 (opens in a new tab)
- louisianasportsman.com/fishing/inshore-fishing/speckled-trout/load-the-boat-at-calcasieu-l (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)
- 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/lwfc-sets-the-louisiana-private-recreational-and-state-charter-red- (opens in a new tab)
- wlf.louisiana.gov/news/rec-red-snapper-season-reopens-for-two-fourday-periods (opens in a new tab)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Lake Charles
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.