Fishing Caddo Lake

AKA: Lake Caddo

Popular Fish Species
Caddo Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
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Caddo Lake, LA

Popular Fish Species Caddo Lake, LA

Caddo Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Caddo Lake is considered a good bass fishing lake by locals and tournament anglers alike. While fishing success can vary day to day, overall it's a good bass lake. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at Caddo Lake. These two species tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may catch both species, as they often use the same cover. For best results when fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key, especially when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. This is a good place to catch quantities of nice, fat slabs. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

White Bass Fishing

White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. Numerous successful spawn years have increased the population of white bass in Caddo Lake, and anglers can expect some great fishing this year. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. Fish near the bottom at night with live bait. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. When white bass chase schools of bait near the surface, spinners, spoons and small crank baits work well. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Caddo Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, yellow bass, hybrid striped bass, chain pickerel and longnose gar at Caddo Lake in Louisiana.

Famous for big bass and quality crappie fishing, Caddo Lake is a great fishing destination in the northwest corner of the state, at Mooringsport, LA. This 25,400-acre fishing lake straddles the western border of Louisiana and east Texas with untold miles of shoreline.

Among the popular fish species found in Caddo Lake, largemouth bass takes center stage. In addition to largemouth bass, the lake is home to smallmouth bass, offering an exciting alternative bass fishing experience. Anglers visiting Caddo Lake can also target channel catfish and flathead catfish. For panfish enthusiasts, Caddo Lake offers opportunities to catch black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, and redear sunfish. These species can provide excellent fishing action, particularly during the spring and early summer months. White bass, known for their hard-fighting and schooling behavior, are another sought-after species here. Among the unique catches in Caddo Lake is the chain pickerel. These voracious predators can be a delightful surprise for anglers seeking other species.

Cypress trees, brush and vegetation provide plenty of cover throughout the lake. In addition to bass and crappie, the lake maintains healthy populations of catfish, bluegill, hybrid stripers, sunfish, chain pickerel and longnose gar. A variety of boats are available for rent at the lake and public boat ramps provide easy for launching of pleasure, water-sport, pontoon and fishing boats. Canoes and kayaks are popular here and allow anglers access to vast backwater fishing areas. There are several places allowing access to the LA shoreline for anglers who prefer to fish from the bank. Local LA fishing guides offer guide trips with experience on Caddo Lake.

Primary fish species residing in Caddo Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Caddo Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

By The Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, at the south end of the State Route 538 Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Drift Inn Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, at the south end of the State Route 1 Bridge, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Williamson Parkway, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Shady Acres Camp Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Ferry Lake Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.