Lake Saint Catherine Fishing
A coastal lake of the Louisiana coast in Orleans Parish, inside the LDWF saltwater line.
Pick for redfishPiscifun Alloy S inshore spinning reelCheck price at PiscifunPhoto of Chef Menteur Pass: Infrogmation, CC BY 2.5
Lake Saint Catherine at a glance for inshore anglers
USGS names Lake Saint Catherine as a coastal lake of Orleans Parish. It lies inside the LDWF saltwater line, so saltwater limits and the Saltwater License apply. Plan on about 8 miles to Eden Isle, the closest town.
It has 6 launches in the LDWF list. Walk-up fishing comes from 1 pier or bank site. LDWF reef maps put 10 reef sites inside 25 miles. Tide and level data come from 2 water-level stations nearby. There are 3 named passes within 12 miles.
USGS Geographic Names Information System (feature class and point), LDWF saltwater line, LDWF launch and Banks and Piers layers; retrieved October 28, 2026.
Putting a bay boat onto Lake Saint Catherine from a bayou launch
- Fort Pike State Park Public Launch on Lake Saint Catherine1-lane gravel ramp, public
- Heritage Park Boat Launch on Bayou Bonfouca1-lane concrete ramp, public
- Rigolets Bait and Seafood on Lake Saint Catherine2-lane concrete ramp, public
- Lake Catherine Island Marina on Lake Saint Catherine2-lane concrete ramp, private, fee, Private; fee to launch
- Pelican Pointe Marina on The Rigolets1-lane concrete ramp, private, fee, Private; fee to launch
- Vinot's Marina on The Rigolets1-lane concrete ramp, private, fee, Private; fee to launch
If the Lake Saint Catherine launch is crowded
- Chef Harbor on Chef Menteur PassChef Menteur Pass, 6 miles southwest
- South Shore Bait Marina on Chef Menteur PassChef Menteur Pass, 6 miles southwest
- The Pointe Marina and Grill on Lake PontchartrainLake Pontchartrain, 7 miles northwest
- Lombard's launch on Lake PontchartrainLake Pontchartrain, 7 miles southwest
- Middle River LaunchMiddle River, 9 miles northeast
- Indian Village launch on West Pearl RiverWest Pearl River, 9 miles north
LDWF boat launch inventory (saltwater, brackish and freshwater launches), retrieved October 28, 2026.
Bank sites LDWF maps on Lake Saint Catherine
- St. Tammany Fishing Pier on Lake Saint Catherinefishing pier, salt or brackish, Long concrete pier
More walk-up fishing around Lake Saint Catherine
- Joe Brown Memorial Park on Joe W. Brown Parkbank fishing, 16 miles
- Sidney D. Torres Memorial Parkcommunity fishing site, Get Out & Fish site, 19 miles
- Yscloskey Hwy, Shell Beachbank fishing, salt or brackish, 19 miles
- Lakefront Sea Wall on Lake Pontchartrainbank fishing, salt or brackish, 20 miles
- Brechtel Parkbank fishing, 22 miles
LDWF Banks and Piers layer, retrieved October 28, 2026.
Artificial reefs close to Lake Saint Catherine
Within a 25-mile run of Lake Saint Catherine sit 10 LDWF reefs (10 inshore).
| Reef | Program | Depth | Size | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Tammany Pier Reef | inshore | 12-ft | 1 acres | 7 miles northwest |
| South Twin Span Reef | inshore | 10-ft | 4 acres | 7 miles northwest |
| North Twin Span Reef | inshore | 10-ft | 4 acres | 8 miles northwest |
| Lake Borgne Shell Pad Reef | inshore | 10 miles southeast | ||
| St. Tammany (east) Reef | inshore | 12-ft | 410 acres | 15 miles northwest |
| Lake Front Reef | inshore | 13-ft | 4 acres | 16 miles west |
| Orleans Reef | inshore | 15-ft | 411 acres | 21 miles west |
| Grand Banks Reef | inshore | 21 miles east | ||
| North Shore Reef | inshore | 14-ft | 382 acres | 22 miles northwest |
| West End Pier Reef | inshore | 10-ft | 10 acres | 24 miles west |
LDWF Artificial Reef Program saltwater reef layer and site PDFs (depth and acres as printed), retrieved October 28, 2026.
Water level gauges by Lake Saint Catherine
NOAA CO-OPS water level, preliminary reading at retrieval (October 28, 2026); station page for live data.
- The Rigolets, U.S. Highway 90tide predictions, 3 miles
- Chef Menteur, Chef Menteur Passtide predictions, 6 miles
- Bayou BonFouca, Route 433tide predictions, 11 miles
- MARTELLO CASTLE, LAKE BORGNEtide predictions, 14 miles
Louisiana marsh tides are small and wind often moves more water than the moon; check the station before running shallow flats on Lake Saint Catherine.
NOAA CO-OPS water level and tide prediction stations within 25 and 15 miles, retrieved October 28, 2026.
Passes and cuts by Lake Saint Catherine
- The Rigolets7 miles east
- Chef Menteur Pass6 miles southwest
- Unknown Pass3 miles southeast
USGS GNIS passes and guts within 12 miles; retrieved October 28, 2026.
What may go in the ice chest from Lake Saint Catherine
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Cobia (ling or lemonfish) | 1 daily per person; no more than 2 per vessel; 36" min fork length | Open year-round in state waters |
| Black drum | 5 daily per person – bag and possession; no more than one over 27" max total length; 16" min total length; 27" max total length | Open year-round in state waters |
| Red drum (redfish) | 4 daily per person – bag; none over 27" max total length; 18" min total length; 27" max total length | Open year-round in state waters |
| Southern flounder | 10 daily per person | Open year-round except no possession allowed from Oct. 15 – Nov. 30 |
| Spanish mackerel | 15 daily per person; 12" min fork length | Open year-round in state waters |
| Striped mullet | 100 lbs. daily | Open year-round in state waters |
| Spotted seatrout (speckled trout) | 15 daily per person with no more than 2 over 20" max total length; 13" min total length; 20" max total length | Open year-round in state waters |
| Sheepshead | No daily limit | Open year-round in state waters |
| Tripletail | 5 daily per person; 18" min total length | Open year-round in state waters |
| Black bass (largemouth and spotted) | 10 daily | Open year-round |
| Striped or hybrid striped bass (or any combination thereof) | 5 daily; no more than two over 30" total length | Open year-round |
| White bass | 50 daily | Open year-round |
| Yellow bass | 50 daily | Open year-round |
| Sunfish (bream) | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Crappie (black and white) | 50 daily; 100 fish possession limit | Open year-round |
| Bowfin (choupique) | No daily limit; 16" MLL | Open year-round |
Saltwater limits head the table for Lake Saint Catherine; the freshwater rows still apply to freshwater species.
South of the LDWF saltwater line an angler 18 or older carries a Basic Fishing License plus a Saltwater License: $17 and $15 for residents, $68 and $60 for nonresidents.
Limits and seasons as printed in the 2026 Louisiana Recreational Fishing Regulations (LDWF pamphlet, updated September 21, 2026), page 19 (pamphlet PDF); confirmed on the LDWF saltwater finfish page October 28, 2026.
For the redfish herePiscifun NautiX saltwater spinning reel14% OFFSale $94.99 Sizing up Lake Saint Catherine against nearby salt water
Of the waters listed, Pass Manchac has the most launches: 9.
| Water | Distance | Type | Launches | Piers and banks | Reefs within 25 mi | NOAA stations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Saint Catherine | coastal lake | 6 | 1 | 10 | 2 | |
| Chef Menteur Pass | 6 miles southwest | tidal pass | 6 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
| The Rigolets | 7 miles east | tidal pass | 4 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| Lake Borgne | 10 miles southeast | coastal lake | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 |
| Lake Pontchartrain | 24 miles west | coastal lake | 6 | 3 | 13 | 2 |
| Pass Manchac | 36 miles west | tidal pass | 9 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
LDWF launch, Banks and Piers and reef layers, NOAA CO-OPS stations, USGS GNIS; retrieved October 28, 2026.
Other water within a drive of Lake Saint Catherine
Lakes worth a look after Lake Saint Catherine
- Joe W. Brown Park16 miles
- Brechtel Pond23 miles
- New Orleans City Park23 miles
- Lake Cataouatche36 miles
Streams near Lake Saint Catherine
- The Rigolets3 miles
- Middle River9 miles
- Bayou Bonfouca11 miles
- Liberty Bayou12 miles
Louisiana bait stops around Lake Saint Catherine
- South Shore Bait & Marinabait and tackle shop, New Orleans, 6 miles
- Dick's Sporting Goods Slidellsporting goods store, Slidell, 10 miles
- Dockside Bait & Takelbait and tackle shop, Slidell, 11 miles
- The Bait Shopbait and tackle shop, Slidell, 11 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Slidellsporting goods store, Slidell, 14 miles
- Eddie Pinto's Marinabait and tackle shop, New Orleans, 16 miles
Guide services around Lake Saint Catherine
- Captain Greg Henrycharter, New Orleans, (504) 283-5052
- Nawlins Bowfishing chartercharter, New Orleans, (504) 608-1278
- Salty Dog Charterscharter, New Orleans, (504) 481-8216
- Louisiana Redfish Masterfishing guide, New Orleans, (504) 975-7902
- Westbank Fishingfishing guide, New Orleans, (504) 620-4404
- MarshOnTheFlyfly fishing guide, New Orleans, (504) 459-9960
Where to stay for Lake Saint Catherine
- Eden Isle8 miles
- Slidell12 miles
- New Orleans13 miles
- Pearl River17 miles
Parishes along Lake Saint Catherine
- Orleans Parishseat: New Orleans
Bayou-tough Piscifun reels for a day on Lake Saint Catherine
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A picture guide to fish at Lake Saint Catherine
Photo: タウナギ, CC0 1.0
Photo: SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC, Public domain
Photo: albertoalcala, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, CC BY 2.0
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Before the drive to Lake Saint Catherine, the common questions
Where does Lake Saint Catherine sit in Louisiana?
It lies in Orleans Parish, about 8 miles from Eden Isle.
What license does a visitor need on Lake Saint Catherine?
South of the LDWF saltwater line an angler 18 or older carries a Basic Fishing License plus a Saltwater License: $17 and $15 for residents, $68 and $60 for nonresidents.
Which bayou launch runs out to Lake Saint Catherine?
6 launches; start with Fort Pike State Park Public Launch on Lake Saint Catherine.
Which 2026 rules apply on Lake Saint Catherine?
Cobia (ling or lemonfish): 1 daily per person; no more than 2 per vessel; 36" min fork length; Open year-round in state waters.
Has LDWF built reefs around Lake Saint Catherine?
10 sites, starting with St. Tammany Pier Reef.
Where can I check the tide at Lake Saint Catherine?
NOAA Shell Beach covers it.
Can I wade Lake Saint Catherine?
Yes: 1 pier or bank site, including St. Tammany Fishing Pier on Lake Saint Catherine.
Is there a bait stand on the way to Lake Saint Catherine?
South Shore Bait & Marina, about 6 miles away, is the first bait counter on our Louisiana list.
What passes feed Lake Saint Catherine?
Tide runs through The Rigolets, Chef Menteur Pass and Unknown Pass.
Pick a calm day for Lake Saint Catherine
Fees, seasons and exceptions are on the saltwater page.