Updated: Thursday, September 17, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, September 24, 2026
This Louisiana fishing report covers mid-September, transition month on the coast, when speckled trout start moving from the barrier islands and outside rigs toward the interior bays and lakes. Trout are the lead target, redfish stay put in the marsh as always, and bull reds gather at the passes from Grand Isle to Venice. The main thing to plan around is cooling water: the interior lakes improve as temperatures drop, and the morning falling tide sets up both the pass and the marsh drain bite.
What’s Hitting
Speckled trout on the move lead the week. Expect fish on the outside at Grand Isle, the Timbalier islands and the nearshore rigs early, but look for the better numbers in the interior lakes and bays as the water starts to cool: the Lake Pontchartrain bridges, the Biloxi Marsh, and the Hopedale and Delacroix lakes.
Redfish are steady along the marsh edges and in the ponds everywhere from Cocodrie to Venice, with slot fish on the shorelines and bulls at the passes and river mouths. Flounder are beginning to show along the bayou edges and at the passes, and tripletail sit on the crab-trap floats and channel markers in Barataria and Terrebonne bays.
Where to Find Them
Inside, target trout around the bridges, oyster reefs and points on the moving tide. Outside, work the island passes and rigs at first light. Fish redfish on the marsh shorelines and pond edges on the higher stages of the tide, then follow them into the deeper bayous and canals as the water drops. Bull reds stack at the Grand Isle and Barataria passes and at the mouths of the Mississippi River passes below Venice. Tripletail hang on the floats and markers in the open bays.
Tides & Conditions
Moderate tides between the moons give a single main tidal swing, and the morning falling water is the window to plan around at the passes and marsh drains. Expect water in the low to mid-80s and dropping at night. Light north and east winds clean up the interior water and make the marsh fishable everywhere. A low Mississippi River keeps the water at Venice clean and salty, which pulls fish close to the river passes.
Tackle & Tactics
- Trout: live shrimp or a soft plastic under a popping cork on the reefs and points, or a soft plastic on a quarter-ounce jig head fished on the bottom around the bridges.
- Marsh redfish: a gold spoon, a spinnerbait or a soft plastic on a jig head cast to the shoreline, or live shrimp or cut mullet under a cork.
- Bull reds: cracked crab or cut mullet on a 7/0 circle hook with a Carolina rig at the passes.
- Tripletail: live shrimp under a cork pitched to the float.
Local Intel This Week
Launch at the Grand Isle State Park or Bridge Side Marina ramps for Grand Isle and the Barataria passes. The Cocodrie and Dulac ramps cover Terrebonne, the Hopedale and Delacroix ramps put you on the Biloxi Marsh, and the Venice Marina ramp serves the river passes. Without a boat, fish the Grand Isle beach and the Elmer’s Island access for trout and reds. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
In the transition, let water temperature pick your starting point. If the morning air is cool and the interior lakes are a few degrees cooler, start inside. If it is still hot and still, the trout are probably still outside. Check the temperature at the ramp first to avoid a long run the wrong way.
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