The 5 Best Fishing Spots in New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, the "Big Easy", is one of the most famous cities in the United States because of the food, music and party scene. What you might not realize is that New Orleans is actually home to some of the best fishing in Louisiana.

Before You Go:

To fish in this state, you need to purchase a Louisiana fishing license unless you qualify for one of the following exemptions:

• Children under age 16
• Residents born before June 1, 1940, who have lived in Louisiana for six or more months
• Free fishing weekends

You can find a full list of regulations on the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries website.

Lake Pontchartrain

Lake Pontchartrain is a 40-mile-wide estuary off the Gulf of Mexico located on the northern coast of New Orleans. It's one of the best known fishing spots in all of New Orleans and is home to a wide variety of saltwater and freshwater fish species.

The lake is relatively shallow, and its basin has an average depth of 14 feet. Lake Pontchartrain is home to one of the longest bridges on the planet, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, which provides habitat for many species and great angling access for anyone who doesn't have a boat. The lake is also great for party-boat fishing, charter tours and even shoreline fishing. There are hundreds of miles of shoreline to explore that are easy to access by car.

What You Can Expect To Catch in Lake Pontchartrain

You can catch anything from catfish to bull sharks in Lake Pontchartrain, depending on the location and time of year. The lake has everything from bass and catfish to trout, crappie, sunfish, walleye, drum, carp, shiner, gar, and so much more. The variety of freshwater species is so vast that we can't list them all here, but if you would like to do a deeper dive on the fish species of Lake Pontchartrain, check out this fishing chart.

While you can catch many different species on Lake Pontchartrain, the "big three" the lake is known for are speckled trout, redfish, and sheepshead.

Redfish

Redfish are one of the most popular fish angler targets in Lake Pontchartrain because they're active all year round and it's not uncommon to hook a trophy redfish. The best time to hook a large bull redfish is in September, when big redfish make their way from the Gulf of Mexico through the Rigolets and Chef Menteur Pass into the lake.

Sheepshead

Lake Pontchartrain is the best place in the world to catch sheepshead. In fact the largest sheepshead ever recorded -at a whopping 21.25 pounds- was caught right in Lake Pontchartrain. The best way to catch sheepshead is to bait the water by scraping barnacles, dropping a live crustacean and waiting for a bite. Sheepshead are notorious nibblers, so it's an extra challenge figuring out when to set the hook. Sheepshead like to gather around docks and bridge pilings, so we suggest fishing there.

Lake Cataouatche

Lake Cataouatche is a 9,280-acre lake on the southwestern edge of New Orleans. The lake has an average depth of 6 feet and is known as one of the best places to catch bass in New Orleans and arguably all of Louisiana. In fact, the Bassmaster Classic pro bass fishing tournament is hosted here each year.

Besides the excellent year-round largemouth bass fishing, Lake Cataouatche is known for its redfish, blue catfish, rainbow trout, crappie, sucker, sunfish, yellow bass, white bass, and bigmouth buffalo. The lake is perfect for all types of fishing, and you should be reeling in bass in no time whether you're using a fly, spinner, or casting rod.

City Park

City Park is a 1,300-acre public park located in the heart of New Orleans. The park is home to 11 miles of lagoons that are fun to explore and fish. There are paddle boat rentals in the park, but please note that you're not allowed to fish from a boat in the park.

If you want to get the most out of your fishing experience without a boat, then we suggest heading over to Marconi fishing pier for bass, catfish, and perch, or Harrison Canal for bluegill and largemouth bass. The current park record for bass is 9.33 lbs, so there are whoppers even in the city.

Tangipahoa River

The Tangipahoa River is northwest of New Orleans, across Lake Pontchartrain. The river is perfect for fly-fishing and casting and is home to largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and crappie. The river can be a bit treacherous, so we recommend fishing from the shore. If you want to take a crack at the river, you can always float a paddle boat down the river as you fish.

Delacroix Island

Delacroix Island is located 45 minutes southeast of New Orleans and is one of the best fishing locations in the area. The shallow marshlands are the perfect environment for speckled trout, redfish, flounder, catfish, and sheepshead. You can easily fish on your own from the shoreline, but if you want the best possible fishing experience, we'd recommend hiring one of the local charter boats.

5 of the Best Fishing Spots Near Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is one of the most fishing-friendly cities in the United States. While it may not boast the same quality and quantity of fish species as Florida, there are many great options within the city limits and just outside the city.

Before You Go:

To fish in this state, you need to purchase a Tennessee fishing license, unless you qualify for one of the following exemptions:

• You are under 13 years old.
• You are a resident under 16 fishing on farmland owned by your grandparents or great-grandparents.
• First cousins who jointly own farmland may fish on the farmland without a license.
• You are on military leave.
• It is a free fishing day.
• It is free Fishing week.

You can check out a full list of regulations on the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency Website.

Shelby Farms Park

Located 12 miles outside of Memphis and still in the city limits lies Shelby Farms Park. This 4,500-acre park in the city of Memphis boasts over 20 lakes and ponds that you can fish in. It's rare to find such a large stretch of wilderness and so many fishing opportunities in an urban city.

The 20 lakes and ponds are home to a healthy population of catfish, crappie, bream, largemouth bass, striped bass, smallmouth bass and carp. Just make sure you throw back any carp you catch; they are strictly catch and release. If fly-fishing is more your speed, Jones Pond is stocked with trout every December and January. The park sports some great bank fishing and deepwater fishing off of the Beaver Lake and Pine Lake piers. You can also fish off of a boat -you just can't take a motorboat on any of the lakes. Fair warning: While you can boat, not all of the bodies of water are easy to launch into.

Mississippi River

The mighty Mississippi is home to over 200 different species of fish, but in Memphis, catfish are king. While you can catch walleye, crappie, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass, the main attraction of the Mississippi along Memphis is the five species of catfish that call the area home. The Mississippi along Memphis is home to five species of catfish: blues, yellows, flatheads, channels, bullheads and spoonbill catfish.

The Memphis stretch of the Mississippi has some of the best catfishing in all of America. Prior to the 1800s, it wasn't uncommon to bring in a 6-foot blue catfish weighing a whopping 150 pounds. While you might not be able to catch a 150-pounder, the introduction of invasive Asian carp has helped the catfish population grow quite large both in size of fish and population density. It's now fairly common to bring in a 50-, 60-, 70- or even 80-pound catfish along the Mississippi.

Martin Luther King Riverside Park

Located along the Mississippi in Memphis, Martin Luther King Riverside Park is home to some great urban fishing. Whether you're a fly fisherman or a cast master, you will have a great time on this lake. The lake is home to largemouth bass, various catfish species, trout and bream.

You can fish off the bank or use an electric motorboat, kayak or canoe. Some quick fishing regulations to keep in mind: (1) All largemouth bass caught in this lake are catch and release only, (2) your daily catfish limit is three, (3) you can take five trout a day as long as you have a trout permit and (4) you're allowed to keep 25 bream a day.

Fort Pillow State Historic Park

Fort Pillow is located about 13 miles from downtown Memphis and has a great fishing reservoir. The lake is home to redear sunfish, flathead catfish, carp, largemouth bass, bream, bluegill, crappie and bullhead catfish. The lake is great for both casting and fly-fishing depending on what species you're after.

It's easy to fish off of the bank, wade in the water or take a boat. You can rent canoes and kayaks on site all year round, so if you want to fish from a boat and don't have one, no need to worry. Motorboats are permitted at Fort Pillow State Historic Park, but you're required to adhere to the no-wake policy.

Meeman Shelby Forest State Park

Located 17 miles north of Memphis, Meeman Shelby Forest State Park houses two lakes perfect for fishing. Piersol Lake and the 100-acre Poplar Tree Lake are home to bass, bluegill and catfish. While not very common, anglers have been known to pull sizable largemouth bass from the lakes.

5 Best Places for Duck & Waterfowl Hunting in Arkansas

Arkansas is one of the best states for duck and waterfowl hunting in the US. With thousands of miles of scenic wetlands and rice fields, Arkansas is the perfect place to find a wide variety of both local and migratory ducks and large waterfowl. It doesn't matter if you're an avid gamesman or a first-time hunter, Arkansas has a vibrant population of game that puts this state on any hunter's bucket list.

Before You Go:

If you are a resident of Arkansas, then you will need to get a Resident Sportsman's License (RS) before you can legally begin to hunt any game. If you're a non-resident, then you will need to get a Non-Resident Game Hunting License and, an Arkansas Waterfowl Stamp. Each area may require additional documents or have its own unique restrictions.

• Duck hunting season is from Nov 20-Jan 31.
• The daily bag limit is six ducks per day (with some additional rules based on the type of fowl).
• The duck possession limit is 18 ducks.

You can check out a full list of regulations at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Website.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is known as the Duck Capital of the World, and after a single day out in the wetlands, you'll see why. Acres of flooded timber and wetlands make Stuttgart prime real estate for any waterfowl looking to build a home or just passing through during migration. Stuttgart is located 50 miles southeast of Little Rock and attracts thousands of hunters each year. Duck hunting in this area contributes over $1 million a day to this small town's economy.

Each year Stuttgart hosts the World's Champion Duck Calling Contest & Wings Over the Prairie Festival. This festival is the largest duck and waterfowl hunting event in the US, with over 60,000 attendees and hunters from all over the world. If you're looking for the best place to go duck hunting in Arkansas, you can't go wrong with Stuttgart. It has dozens of hunting lodges and hundreds of guides, so you'll easily find everything you need for the hunting trip of your dreams.

Bayou DeView Wildlife Management Area

If you're looking for a specific place to set up near Stuttgart, then the Bayou DeView Wildlife Management Area is widely considered to be one of the best hunting spots around. Bayou DeView is the largest state-owned waterfowl management area, with 33,700 acres of protected wetlands and flooded timber forests. It's often called the crown jewel of public waterfowl hunting.

While most of this area is open to the public, some spaces are reserved for the Stuttgart Hunting Club. Non-members can gain access to these areas through guided tours or by befriending one of the club members. Both the public and private areas can be accessed from the highway or by boat. For the best duck hunt of your life, be sure to visit Bayou DeView and see why hunters from across the globe come to this little town.

For a complete list of boating restrictions and regulations, visit the Bayou DeView website.

Bois D'Arc Wildlife Management Area

These 185 acres of bottomland hardwoods are home to mallards, scaups, wood ducks, redheads, pintails, Canadian geese and more. Bois D'Arc is located in southwest Arkansas, just off highway 174 in Hampstead County. This wildlife management area also has an engineered green-tree reservoir for waterfowl, making it the perfect spot for duck hunting.

While this spot is great for duck hunting, it also attracts visitors for its fishing and natural beauty. A more serious duck hunter might want to focus on another location, but if you are looking for a great time outdoors doing more than just hunting waterfowl, then Bois D'Arc WMA is perfect for you. Some areas of the reservoir are only accessible by boat, making them less crowded and excellent for fishing or hunting.

White River National Wildlife Refuge

For some of the best duck hunting around, take a trip down White River. This refuge is nestled along the floodplain between the Mississippi River and the White River, creating over 90 miles of waterfowl-inhabited flooded bottomland forests surrounded by rice fields. This flooded area has a rich ecosystem with dozens of species of waterfowl, including the largest concentration of wintering mallards and Canadian geese in the region. The Fish and Wildlife Service offers visitors a variety of guided tours and private hunts, and the reserve has 40 boat ramps, so renting a vehicle or bringing your own is strongly encouraged.

Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge

Just a bit north of Stuttgart, you can find a wide expanse of wetlands and flooded plains teeming with migratory waterfowl. Bald Knob Wildlife Refuge is both an excellent location for hunting and a farmed cropland. Be sure to stay within the designated hunting area so you don't accidentally wander into a farmer's fields. The refuge is in White County and can be accessed just off highway 367. The roads in this area are prone to flooding, so you may want to check ahead to see if you will be traveling on foot or by boat.

Stretching over 12,000 acres of former rice farms, Bald Knob is home to the largest winter population of pintail waterfowl in the state. This refuge acts as one of the major wintering or stopover spots for migratory birds. Each year it attracts thousands of mallards, wood ducks, snow geese and more to its warmer waters. You can also hunt white-tailed deer, rabbits and squirrels. Only hunting during the day is permitted in this area.

Where To Fish in Atlanta, Georgia

While you might not think of fishing when you think of Atlanta, it actually has some of the best fishing in all of Georgia.

Before You Go:

To fish in this state, you need to purchase a Georgia fishing license, unless you are under 16 years of age. For more information on exemptions, check out the full detailed list of rules and exemptions on the Georgia Wildlife Resource Division website.

Golden Isles

If you're looking for a weekend saltwater fishing excursion, then you're going to want to check out Golden Isles. This fishing spot is a trek from Atlanta, but it sports some of the best saltwater fishing in all of Georgia. There are ample populations of sport fish such as redfish, snapper and tarpon that you can catch from the bank, kayak, motor boat or a deep-sea excursion charter.

The coastline is great for fishing and crabbing off of one of the many piers. You can also catch some redfish and skipjacks by fly-fishing off the coastal marshes.

Chattahoochee River

If you're looking for some of the best trout fishing in all of Georgia, then you're going to love the Chattahoochee River. While you can catch bass and catfish in the river year round, the river's really known for its rainbow and wild brown trout. In fact, a 20-pound whopper of a brown trout -Georgia's largest trout- was pulled out of this river.

The Chattahoochee River is open for fishing 30 minutes before sunrise and closes 30 minutes before sunset. It's against the law to fish this river at night, so make sure you come early. Finally, the river is designated as a trout stream and using live bait is prohibited, so make sure to bring your lures or fly rod.

Lake Clara Meer

Located in the heart of Atlanta, Lake Clara Meer is a 11.5-acre man-made lake located inside of Piedmont Park. Swimming and boating are prohibited on the lake, but luckily the lake is very accessible and it's easy to fish from the shoreline. The lake sports three fishing piers and a dock and is stocked with largemouth bass, crappie, bream and catfish each year.

Lake Lanier

Located 50 miles northeast of Atlanta, Lake Lanier is a 38,000-acre reservoir owned and operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. The lake has incredible access, with over 60 public boat launch ramps you can take advantage of. You can catch largemouth bass, spotted bass, striped bass, crappie, walleye and channel catfish. If you're looking to increase your odds of catching the big one, it's a good idea to sync up with one of the local fishing clubs and hire a guide.

Nancy Creek

Located in the heart of Atlanta, Nancy Creek sports a variety of fish species. The creek is home to flat bullhead, spotted bass, redbreast sunfish, green sunfish, bluegill, rainbow trout and creek chub, among other baitfish species. The creek is well suited for crank baits and topwater lures as well as fly fishing; just make sure you stick to the public section of the creek. A lot of the creek is privately owned, so make sure you're not trespassing. The two best public access points are Chastain Park and Northside Dr near Tophat Soccer Club.

Where To Go Fishing in Houston, Texas

While you might not think an urban area like Houston would be great for fishing, you'd be surprised how many great fishing spots are a short drive away.

Before You Go:

To fish in this state, you need to purchase a Texas fishing license unless you qualify for one of the following exemptions:

• Children under the age of 17
• Texas residents born before January 1, 1931
• Texas residents 65 or older and born after January 1, 1931

For a full list of exemptions, we recommend checking out the Texas Parks & Wildlife site for a full list of fishing license requirements and exemptions.

Lake Anahuac

Lake Anahuac is part of a coastal wildlife refuge located 45 miles east of Houston along the eastern coast of Galveston Bay. This refuge is one of the few places with access to both freshwater and saltwater fishing in Texas.

Saltwater Fishing

If saltwater fishing is your cup of tea, you can't go wrong with Lake Anahuac. The shoreline has some of the best wade fishing in all of Texas! You can catch speckled trout, redfish and southern flounder 24