Lake Pontchartrain Favorability Gauge for January
Lake Pontchartrain is home to a variety of fish. Since it is an estuary, the lake is constantly changing. There are many factors that change the conditions of the lake including hurricanes, rain, and spillway openings. This makes the Lake one of the most challenging destinations to fish in South Louisiana.
Since it's inception in 2012, NorthshoreFishingReport.com has collected thousands of fishing reports from Lake Pontchartrain. Below is a list of all of the fish that anglers pursue in Lake Pontchartrain. All the reports have been researched on NFR and assigned a monthly favorability score.
Since it's inception in 2012, NorthshoreFishingReport.com has collected thousands of fishing reports from Lake Pontchartrain. Below is a list of all of the fish that anglers pursue in Lake Pontchartrain. All the reports have been researched on NFR and assigned a monthly favorability score.
We've gone through the reports dating back from 2012 from the following fishing reports boards on NorthshoreFishingReport.com: Causeway, Slidell Bridges, Lemo's Reef, Pass Manchac, Sunset Point Fishing Pier, Slidell Fishing Pier, and Lake Pontchartrain (other). These reports determine 80% of the weight used in monthly projections. The other 20% of the weight is taken from the Monthly Fishing Forecasts that are written by NFR Members. Each species of fish is given a favorability rating. These ratings are not scientific and should be used as a best estimate of what to expect on any given month.
Speckled Trout January: Bad
January is arguably one of the worst month to catch speckled trout in Lake Pontchartrain. The main reason being that the water temperatures often dip below 55 degrees. In December we see the trout reports slowing as the specks move out into deeper water. We see the ICW, MRGO area heat up as far as the speckled trout scene goes. The water there is deeper and the trout head straight for the bottom where the temperatures can often be 3 - 6 degrees warmer than the surface temperature. The reason why Lake Pontchartrain is colder is it's depth. The lake is shallow resulting in the same water temperatures as its surface temperature. Speckled trout fishing in January isn't totally out of the question as there are some random reports of fish being caught at the Causeway and Trestles. Trollers have the best results in January because they cover a lot of water but don't look for many numbers as speckled trout in January are often spread out because of the lack of baitfish in the water.
Redfish January: Below Average
Catching redfish in Lake Pontchartrain in January can be tough. The lack of baitfish in the water and colder water temperatures send these fish into deep water canals and the cuts along the northern shoreline. In January, redfish will constantly be on the move to keep their metabolisms high. They will typically be residing in the deeper channels and basins throughout the morning and evenings for more stable water temperatures. Because of the lack of baitfish, redfish will be feeding on crabs and other crustaceans along the bottom. .Jigging the bottom with plastic or even market shrimp will work but live shrimp is always best but anglers will have a hard time finding live shrimp so cocahoes will be your go-to live bait this month. While deeper water is the name of the game in January, redfish can also be found in the shallows along the shoreline. Target the flats where the sun is able to heat up the water faster than other areas. Lures such as Top-Dog's and Mir-o-lure's are best for the flats. Gold spoons are a proven method as well just be careful of hanging up in eel grass along the shoreline. Much like the speckled trout in January, redfish will be scattered due to the lack of schooling baitfish.
Black Drum January: Bad
While anglers don't generally target drum, they won't hesitate to add them to the ice box when they come across them. Often if you find one, there's a school of them at the same spot. Black Drum are plentiful in Lake Pontchartrain during the fall months but these fish are in the process of moving out to deeper saltier water to spawn in February. During the month of January there isn't a single report on NorthshoreFishingReport.com that includes a drum being caught so that should put into perspective the odds of catching a drum this month.
Sheepshead January: Below Average
We've seen an increase in sheepshead reports this year but the cold water temperatures and call to spawn have sent these "Bay Snapper" south in search of deeper saltier water. Sheepshead are structure feeders. Some anglers actually can watch them circling a pylon on the Lake Pontchartrain bridges. They primarily feed on crabs, shrimp, small fish, and barnacles but unfortunately the latter is the only thing left to eat in January. This being the case, the bridges are the best place to catch a sheepshead in January. The Trestles and Causeway are options but another spot that produces great reports is the Twin Spans bridge. NFR doesn't get too many fishing reports from the Twin Spans but when we do it's usually sheepshead that are being reported. Best bait is live shrimp (the smaller the better). Also cracked crab and surprisingly - live crawfish! Using a Carolina Rig works well but keep in mind that the entire pylon from the waters surface to the bottom offers a good chance to catch a sheeshead so a lighter weight is in order to slow down the descending bait.
Flounder January: Bad
In December we find a drastic decline in flounder reports on NFR. Some still were caught at the Trestles but those reports were few and far between. Flounder are typically found in the waters east of Lake Pontchartrain in January. Lake Borgne and the Biloxi Marsh are areas that flounder will pop up in reports this month. When fishing for flounder it's important to remember to slow things down especially in the winter. Sometimes dragging the lure along the bottom works best.
Garfish January: Below Average
Garfish reign throughout the summer but when the water starts cooling the bite slows down so January is a month in which we hardly come across garfish even in the spots that they are plentiful in the fall. Unlike most fish, garfish do not move out of the lake in winter. They hunker down on the bottom and in the deeper bayous along the shoreline so it's important to fish deep in January. When targeting garfish it's important to remember to use heavy duty line with a steel leader. Chicken livers, market shrimp, cut fish, and live crawfish are bait options in January.
Croaker January: Terrible
As the weather gets colder, the croaker move out to deeper water. January is a month in a long string of months that croaker will be difficult to catch in the Lake. There are a grand total of 0 reports on NorthshoreFishingReport.com of catching a croaker in Lake Pontchartrain in January.
White Trout January: Terrible
The white trout bite typically coincides with the croaker bite in Lake Pontchartrain. Both of these fish are warm weather fish and January is one of the worst months to fish for white trout in Lake Pontchartrain. This month the white trout have moved out of the lake to spawn in saltier water.