The Big Easy may be famous for its food and music scene, but what the locals don’t tell you is the fishing is not too bad around here either! Where do you think we get all that catfish to put in Po’ Boys?
One great thing about the city is that you don’t need a boat to go fishing on the Mississippi. Let me show you the best fishing piers in New Orleans where you will be sure to land a little something to take home for dinner right from the shore.
Just don’t forget to pick up your Louisiana fishing license before you head on down to the pier. You don’t need to catch a fine as well as a catfish.
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The Best Fishing Piers in New Orleans
Below are some of the top spots to go fishing from the banks in New Orleans ranging from family friendly fishing piers to lesser known local gems.
1. The Frank Davis Fishing Pier
This is one of New Orleans best kept secrets in terms of fishing spots and it can be a little hard to find (but that’s what makes it a local secret!) The Frank Davis Fishing Pier is located under the Seabrook Bridge on Lakeshore Drive in New Orleans. The pier is fitted with lights so you can fish there 24 hours a day.
You can expect to pull in some nice sized trout, flounder, sheepshead and redfish off this pier.
2. Marconi Fishing Pier
Located right in the heart of New Orleans, you will find the Marconi Fishing Pier in City Park just off Marconi Drive. There is a parking lot right next to the pier so you won’t have to walk far to fish from the banks here. This is a much better alternative than the Gander Point Fishing Pier which is also located in City Park. Largemouth Bass are whats on offer in these waters and you will find the best fish are caught just off to the right side of the Marconi Pier.
Keep your eyes peeled as you will often be racing against the gators to get your fish to the shore before they take your catch off your hands!
3. West End Point
West End Point juts out into Lake Pontchartrain right at the end of Breakwater Drive. It’s actually less than 10 minutes from Marconi Fishing Pier so if you aren’t having any luck at one of these spots you can quickly head over to the other and see if anything is biting. Besides the fishing, West End Point offers spectacular views of Lake Pontchartrain and even if you don’t catch anything you will leave feeling chilled and relaxed after sitting by the lake for a while. A great spot to watch the sunrise, sunset or even just to watch the yachts float by from the Southern Yacht Club.
Expect to land speckled trout, redfish, catfish, croaker and more from the West End Point fishing pier.
4. St Tammany Fishing Pier
To be fair this fishing pier is located across the other side of the I10 twin span bridge but if you don’t mind crossing over to the other side of the lake then this pier is worth checking out. The fishing facilities are excellent, there are tables so you can clean your fish on the spot, charts to help you identify your catch as well as information on legal size limits for commonly caught species.
The pier is also handicap friendly so if you have accessibility issues elsewhere then take a look at the St Tammany Pier instead. There is plenty of structure nearby where the fish hide in due to the bridge pylons so you will always catch something over here. The pier is not open for night fishing.
Anglers typically catch catfish, redfish, speckled trout and croaker from the St Tammany Parish Fishing Pier.
5. Laketown Fishing Pier
On the west side of New Orleans you will find the Laketown Fishing Pier in the center of Laketown Park. This is a nice place to bring the family so if you’re taking the kids with you the Laketown is the best fishing pier to try out. There are walks for the kids if they get bored, and a casino for the adults if you get bored! This fishing pier sits on Lake Pontchartrain so you can expect to catch a wide range of fish from here due to the lake being connected to the Atlantic Ocean.
You will find speckled trout and Atlantic croaker fairly often around here along with redfish and catfish.
The Last Cast
Between Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, New Orleans is spoiled for choice when it comes to fishing spots. I’ve recommended some of the best fishing piers in New Orleans ranging from locals secrets like The Frank Davis Fishing Pier to the family friendly Laketown Fishing Pier and the centrally located Marconi Fishing Pier. No matter where you find yourself in New Orleans, there is a fishing pier near you that will let you cast from the shore and catch something to take home to eat.
Good luck out there!
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