Louisiana fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. Fall is the season Louisiana anglers wait for. The first fronts are cooling the marsh, the shrimp are moving out of the bays, and the trout and redfish are feeding hard. The new moon this weekend brings strong tidal movement.
What’s Hitting
Speckled trout are the main attraction in the marsh lakes and around the barrier islands near Grand Isle and Venice. Redfish are in the marsh ponds, along the shorelines and at the jetties, with bulls gathering in the passes. Sheepshead and black drum are on the rigs and the structure, flounder are beginning to move, and offshore the yellowfin tuna and mahi are around the oil platforms.
Where to Find Them
Fish the marsh shorelines and the points in Barataria Bay and the Venice area on the falling tide. The jetties at Grand Isle and Fourchon are prime for reds and trout. The oil and gas platforms in the nearshore hold sheepshead, snapper and kingfish, and the offshore rigs can hold tuna and mahi.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend means stronger tides, with more water moving in and out of the marsh. The falling tide pulls bait out of the shallows and fish ambush it at the cuts. A passing front can shift winds to the north, dropping the water and changing fish behavior, so be flexible.
Tackle & Tactics
Live shrimp under a popping cork is the traditional trout rig, and a soft plastic in a natural color on a quarter-ounce jig head is a close second. For reds, a gold spoon or a spinnerbait in the marsh works. At the rigs, fiddler crabs or small pieces of shrimp on a light rig catch sheepshead. Use a stout rod near structure.
The marsh in the Venice and Grand Isle areas offers sheltered water on windy days. When the Gulf is rough, the interior ponds and bayous are a reliable alternative, and the redfish in the shallow, clear ponds can be sight-fished on calm mornings.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes the Venice marinas and ramps, the Port Fourchon and Grand Isle area, and the Grand Isle State Park pier, with Hopedale on the east side. Fish are concentrating at the marsh edges, the jetties and the rigs. Check current Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regulations and seasons before keeping any fish.
This Week’s Tip
Watch the water clarity. After a front, the water can be muddy. Move to the cleaner water, or look for the edge where the clear water meets the dirty water, and fish there.
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