Louisiana fishing report for the week of September 24, 2026. The first hints of fall are showing in the Louisiana marsh. The water is cooling, the shrimp are moving, and the speckled trout are following them. With the full moon on Saturday and big tides, it’s a great week to be on the water.
What’s Hitting
This week on the water, speckled trout are the story. They are moving from the barrier islands and coastal structure into the marsh, and they are feeding on shrimp and baitfish. Bull redfish are in the passes and along the beaches, while slot reds are in the marsh ponds and bayous. Flounder are starting to move toward the coast, and sheepshead and black drum are around the rigs and structure.
Where to Find Them
Look for trout around the marsh points, cuts, and bayou mouths in areas like Hopedale, Delacroix, and the Biloxi Marsh. In the southwestern part of the state, Calcasieu Lake and Sabine Lake are producing. Bull reds are in the passes around Grand Isle, Venice, and the Chandeleur Islands. Slot reds are in the marsh ponds throughout the coast.
Tides & Conditions
The full moon on Saturday is producing strong tides, which is good for moving bait and fish. Water temps are in the upper 70s to low 80s. The first weak fronts of the season can bring a north wind that drops the water levels in the marsh, so watch the forecast. This is still hurricane season.
Tackle & Tactics
For speckled trout, a live shrimp under a popping cork is the classic setup. Soft plastics on a jig head are also effective. For bull reds, a chunk of mullet or a live croaker on a fish-finder rig. For slot reds in the marsh, a spinnerbait or a gold spoon cast to the shorelines and points is a great choice. Watch for birds working over shrimp.
Local Intel This Week
Popular launch points include the Grand Isle State Park, the Venice Marina, and the public launches in Hopedale and Delacroix. Shore anglers can fish from the Grand Isle beach and jetties. Fish are concentrating around the marsh points and in the passes. Check current Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regulations, size limits, and seasons before keeping fish. Louisiana’s speckled trout rules have changed in recent years.
This Week’s Tip
When the birds are working over shrimp in the marsh, the trout are almost always underneath. Get to the birds quickly but quietly, and cast a soft plastic or a shrimp under a cork into the middle of the action.
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