Excellent Striped Bass & Hybrid Striper Fishing In Louisiana

Louisiana's striped bass fishing is centered around hybrid stripers, a cross between striped bass and white bass, which have adapted well to the state's warm waters. These hard-fighting fish are known for their strength and acrobatic leaps, making them a favorite among anglers seeking a challenging and rewarding fishing experience.

Major lakes in Louisiana, such as Toledo Bend Reservoir and Lake Bistineau, are renowned for their excellent striped bass and hybrid striper populations. Toledo Bend Reservoir, straddling the border between Louisiana and Texas, is particularly famous for its trophy-sized hybrid stripers, attracting anglers from far and wide.

In Louisiana, state records have been set for hybrid stripers, with some nice catches weighing over 15 pounds. The state record for striped bass is over 47 pounds. These fish provide exciting opportunities for anglers looking to test their skills and target big game fish.

Anglers can employ a variety of techniques when targeting striped bass and hybrid stripers in Louisiana, including trolling with artificial lures, casting with crankbaits or swimbaits, and live bait fishing with shad or other baitfish.

Whether you're an experienced angler seeking trophy-sized hybrids or a novice looking for an exhilarating fishing adventure, Louisiana's striped bass and hybrid striper fisheries offer a diverse and thrilling angling experience in the heart of the Bayou State.

Striped Bass Fishing Lakes

There are only a few major lakes for striper fishing in LA. They are Anacoco Lake, Caddo Lake, Caney Creek Reservoir, Cross Lake, Lake Claiborne, Lake D’Arbonne and Toledo Bend Reservoir. River fishing for stripers include the Pearl, Tangipahoa, Atchafalaya, Sabine and Mississippi Rivers.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Louisiana State Record Striped Bass

The state record striped bass was caught from Toledo bend.

The state record hybrid striped bass came from Lake Pontchartrain.

Fishing for Stripers in Louisiana

When fishing for stripers concentrate on the deeper waters in the lake. If you can locate schools of shad, stripers are often close by. When the baitfish are shallow over the deep water, you can catch stripers on crankbaits or by swimming spoons at appropriate depths. Check Louisiana fishing reports for current striper information. And for the ultimate thrill try large topwater baits if you see any surface feeding action. When the stripers are deep, jigs and jigging spoons work well. Live and cut bait will also take striped bass when they are in medium to deeper water. Fish nearby or in the river channel if it is a defined depth change. Trolling is also an excellent way to fish for stripers. Use flashy lures in bigger sizes.

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams become the ideal spawning grounds for stripers. Landlocked stripers then populate the lakes.

Striper Fishing Video

Learn the basics for catching striped bass.

Striped bass fishing information, by state.