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Port guide / Louisiana / Louisiana
Port Fourchon fishing guide
Port Fourchon is the working oilfield port at the end of LA 1 where Bayou Lafourche meets the Gulf, with the Terrebonne marshes and bays to the west and the Barataria system to the east. Inshore, locals fish the Fourchon rocks, the old wellhead shell pads, Timbalier Bay and the barrier island beaches for trout and reds, and bull reds and black drum eat crabs and live pogies. Unlike Grand Isle, ten miles east, there is no open public beach or fishing pier here right now (Fourchon Beach is closed for a new bridge and beach restoration), so most people fish from a boat out of the free port launch or Fourchon Marina, and the offshore crowd can be over 1,000 feet of water for swordfish about 40 miles out.
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 Port Fourchon. Updates through the day.
- Loading the 7 day forecast.
NOAA tides, Port Fourchon, Belle Pass, LA (opens in a new tab) NOAA station Grand Isle, LA (opens in a new tab) NWS 7 day forecast (opens in a new tab) NWS marine forecast, Coastal waters from the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River to Port Fourchon, LA out 20 nm (west of Fourchon: GMZ551; inside waters: GMZ541 Terrebonne Bay, GMZ543 Barataria Bay) (opens in a new tab)
12 ft, the chart
Chart and depths
The official NOAA chart, centered on Port Fourchon. 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)
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 Port Fourchon. 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 |
| Flounder | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Cobia | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Spanish mackerel | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Mangrove snapper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | 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
In summer the bigger trout leave the shallow marsh for Timbalier Bay, the lower bay oyster reefs and the Gulf side of the barrier islands; live shrimp under a popping cork or a 1/8 to 1/4 ounce jighead with a plastic both work.
Redfish
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
The bayous and canals of the marsh are classic redfish water for popping corks, spoons, spinnerbaits and topwaters, and bull reds eat whole live pogies, mullet, croakers or a cracked crab.
Black drum
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Big drum come off the old wellhead shell pads and can't resist a crab half on the hook.
Sheepshead
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Shell pads left where wellheads were removed act as reefs that hold sheepshead along with trout and drum.
Flounder
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September
Inshore guides target flounder along with trout and reds, but Louisiana closes flounder harvest October 15 through November 30 every year.
Cobia
Peak: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Cobia come closer to shore in late August and September, cruising the lower bays, the barrier islands and the small satellite wellheads; pitch a jig or a live pogie.
Spanish mackerel
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
A nearshore fish off Fourchon, often caught trolling spoons or plugs between spots.
Mangrove snapper
Peak: May, June, July, August, September
Found tight to the legs of the closer rigs; chum, then freeline a 2 to 4 inch live croaker or pogie on fluorocarbon.
Red snapper
Peak: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Fourchon charters start about 10 miles out in 80 to 300 feet and run 40 to 50 miles for bigger fish, but you can keep them only while the Louisiana season is open.
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 closed August 9, 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)
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
NOAA Fisheries set the 2026 federal season to open September 1 and close October 1, 2026, as reported by LDWF.
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 the next season begins 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)
40 ft, where to fish
Where to fish
- Jetty
Fourchon rocks
A known spot for bigger trout; a 4.8 pound, 22 inch speck from the rocks was pictured in a 2026 Louisiana Sportsman feature.
- Bay
Timbalier Bay
A local guide's summer trout spot, when bigger specks leave the shallow marsh for deeper water in the lower bays.
- Beach
Barrier island beaches
Big summer trout feed right along the Gulf side of the barrier islands; watch for diving birds.
- Reef
Old wellhead shell pads
Where oil companies pulled wellheads, the shell pads stay behind as reefs for trout, sheepshead, black drum and reds; many anglers run pad to pad.
- Bay
Lake Pelto, Lake Barre, Lake Raccourci and Terrebonne Bay
West of Fourchon these lakes now run together as islands eroded, and submerged former islands still hold trout for anglers who know where they were.
- Offshore
Nearshore platforms
The closer rigs hold mangrove snapper, and cobia show up around small satellite wellheads in late summer.
- Offshore
Mississippi Canyon and Green Canyon
Deep water for swordfish in 1,000 to 1,800 feet, with the closest spots about 40 miles from Fourchon Marina.
- Beach
Elmer's Island
A state beach east of Fourchon run by LDWF; Fourchon Beach itself is closed pending a new access bridge and beach restoration.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irvin P. Melancon Recreational Boat Launch (opens in a new tab) | Ramp | Free | Port Fourchon, LA |
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 (3)
Showing all 3 shops
- MarinaLive bait
Fourchon Marina
Bait: live bait, live eels
288 Flotation Canal Road, Port Fourchon, LA
Full service marina on the Flotation Canal where LA 1 turns east toward Grand Isle; sells fuel, bait, ice, tackle and snacks, with a fish cleaning station.
- Bait shop
Gail's Bait Shop
Golden Meadow, LA 70357
Bait shop in Golden Meadow, up LA 1 from the port.
- Marina
Bridge Side Marina
1618 LA Hwy 1, Grand Isle, LA 70358
At Caminada Pass on the west end of Grand Isle, the next stop east of Fourchon on LA 1.
Live bait comes and goes with the weather and the season. Call before you drive.
Charters and guides
| Charter | Fishing |
|---|---|
| All Fins Fishing Charters (Capt. Hays Burleigh) (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Plaisance's Tidewater Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore |
| Down the Bayou Charters (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Pure Adrenalin Fishing Charters (opens in a new tab) | Offshore |
| Cajun Made Charters (opens in a new tab) | Inshore and offshore |
70 ft, on the calendar
Tournaments and events
Annual events on this water. Dates move, so confirm with the organiser.
Golden Meadow-Fourchon Tarpon Rodeo (opens in a new tab)
early July, around the Fourth, at the Fourchon Pavilion
2026: July 2 to 4. Next rodeo 2027: July 1 to 3 (per the rodeo website)International Grand Isle Tarpon Rodeo (opens in a new tab)
usually late July, ten miles east on Grand Isle
2026: July 23 to 25
80 ft, asked and answered
Fishing Port Fourchon, asked and answered
Where can I launch a boat at Port Fourchon?
The free Irvin P. Melancon Recreational Boat Launch at the port is the public ramp, and most people fish from a boat out of it or out of Fourchon Marina.
Can I fish Fourchon Beach?
Not right now. The port says Fourchon Beach is closed to the public pending a new access bridge and beach restoration work. Elmer's Island, a state beach run by LDWF, is the nearby alternative.
Where do I buy live bait near Fourchon?
Fourchon Marina on the Flotation Canal sells bait, tackle, fuel and ice, and its owners say it is the only place in south Louisiana that sells live eels. Call ahead for hours.
When do cobia show up close to Fourchon?
Cobia move closer to shore in late August and September, cruising the lower bays, the barrier islands and the small satellite wellheads. Keep a jig or a live pogie rigged and ready.
Can I keep flounder this fall?
Not from October 15 through November 30. Louisiana closes southern flounder harvest for everyone during that window every year.
90 ft, the kit
What we would take to Port Fourchon
Sources for this guide (12), last checked 2026-10-27
- captainexperiences.com/locations/louisiana/grand-isle/seasonality (opens in a new tab)
- tarponrodeo.org/ (opens in a new tab)
- traveltrade.explorelouisiana.com/family-fun/cajun-made-charters (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)
- bbb.org/us/la/houma/category/fishing-bait (opens in a new tab)
- fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/recreational-fishing-season-length-announcement-greater-amberj (opens in a new tab)
- fourchontarpon.com/ (opens in a new tab)
- louisianasportsman.com/fishing/inshore-fishing/many-opportunities-in-the-fertile-waters-ar (opens in a new tab)
- louisianasportsman.com/fishing/offshore-fishing/anglers-can-find-exciting-action-out-of-fo (opens in a new tab)
- portfourchon.com/our-environment/outdoor-recreation (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)
100 ft, the seabed
Gear up for Port Fourchon
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.