March roundup

March Roundup

Keith Lusher

As the weather gets warmer, the fishing is getting better. Not only is are the sac-a-lait spawning, but the bass are as well. Anglers are fixing fish in the shallows and pre-spawn depths of 4-8 feet. One the saltwater side, anglers are still dealing with dirty water in most areas but having success when they find clean water.

Biloxi Marsh
Greg Guillot of Slidell made the run across Lake Borgne to the Biloxi Marsh. It was a cold morning, so Guillot's plan was to start fishing around 10 a.m. “The plan was to start fishing late in the morning when things warmed up a bit and the tide started coming in,” he said. “I was targeting choke points and shallow bodies of water.” The water temperature was 57 degrees, but as the day progressed, the water warmed up to 60. “I figured the bite would heat up as the day progressed,” he said. Guillot was right as he caught 9 trout between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. After 4 p.m. he caught 12 specks. “The fish were definitely scattered on shallow flats,” he said. The hot baits were Matrix Lemonhead in the Ultraviolet color under a cork. Guillot caught a bunch of smaller fish under 13 inches. “This is a good sign of things to come,’ Guillot said.

Tchefuncte River
Doug Kuenz only had a few hours to fish one afternoon. He decided to make a quick trip to the Tchefuncte River with some friends. He was on the main river looking around for some fish on electronics, but the water was murky. “The water in the main channel was dirty, but we were able to find some clean water in the offshoots,” he said. The friends were using Charlie Brewer Grubs on a 1/16-ounce jighead in 4-8 feet of water. After fishing for 2 hours they managed 6 keeper sac-a-lait that measured over 12 inches.

Doug and Odin Kuenz

Abita River
Ryan Jacobs of Slidell made a trip to the Abita River looking for spawning sac-a-lait. Jacobs tried the shallow water up against the bank but came up empty. He then switched over to deeper water and that’s where he found a few fish using a mix of shiners and jigs. Jacobs said all the fish he caught had size to them. “All slabs today,” he said. While Jacobs caught his fish in 4-12 feet of water, he said he will continue to test the shallows in the future. “I can’t wait for the spawn to pop off,” he said.

Ryan Jacobs caught this stringer of fish in 4-12 feet of water

Snakehead Warning
LDWF is asking fishermen to help stop the spread of the Northern Snakehead. “The fish is a harmful invasive species that doesn't belong in local waters,” the department said.
Snakeheads look very similar to the Bowfin or Choupique, which is native to Louisiana. Telling them apart is important because the Northern Snakehead eats and competes with local fish, putting both sport and commercial fishing at risk.
LDWF asks If you catch what you think is a Northern Snakehead, do not put it back in the water. They recommend taking a picture of the fish from the side and disposing of it. If you catch a snakehead contact the Louisiana Wildlife hotline at 225-765-3977 or email AquaticInvasives@wlf.la.gov, and tell them exactly where you caught it. Wildlife officials are asking all anglers to share this information and keep watch for these harmful fish while fishing in Louisiana waters.

Maurepas Swamp Revitalization Project
A groundbreaking $330 million restoration project is set to “breathe new life” into the Maurepas Swamp. The initiative will reconnect this vital wetland to the Mississippi River for the first time in over a century, restoring natural water flow to more than 45,000 acres of cherished cypress-tupelo forest.
This innovative project by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority promises multiple benefits: enhancing wildlife habitats, boosting fishing and hunting opportunities, and strengthening hurricane protection for nearby communities. The restoration will revive one of the nation's largest forested wetlands, transforming what has become a struggling ecosystem back into a thriving sanctuary for native plants and animals.
For freshwater fishermen, the project is welcomed news as it will enhance the popular 122,000-acre Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area, promising better fishing for bass, catfish, and crawfish, while improving duck hunting conditions. The project, funded largely through oil spill recovery money, represents a smart investment in Louisiana's environmental future, ensuring this treasured landscape will continue to serve both wildlife and local communities for generations to come. Construction is expected to be completed by 2028, marking a new chapter in Louisiana's environmental success story.

I created NFR.com in the spring of 2012. Since then it has helped link Northshore fishermen to valuable information and has filled the void of absent information on the web about fishing on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Northshore Fishing Report has morphed into a brand name and can be found not only on the web, but on radio and newspaper. As NFR grows I will continue to work hard at keeping NFR local focusing on local anglers, reports, seminars, and fishing tournaments in St. Tammany and Tangipahoa Parish. I hope you enjoy the website and If you have any questions please email me at: Keith@NorthshoreFishingReport.com

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