.sf-la{–ink:#24180F;–deep:#1D2A33;–teal:#8E3B1E;–mist:#F5F1E8;–foam:#FBF8F1;–lure:#C9D3B4;–lure-ink:#24180F;–line:#E6DFD0;–muted:#5A4C3E}.sf-la .sf-hero{background-color:#3B2414;background-image:radial-gradient(820px 480px at 96% 0%,rgba(201,211,180,.30),rgba(201,211,180,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 420px at 2% 100%,rgba(232,128,96,.26),rgba(232,128,96,0) 60%),linear-gradient(195deg,#5A3820,#3B2414 50%,#1E120A);clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 30px),98.57% calc(100% – 22px),97.14% calc(100% – 15px),95.71% calc(100% – 9px),94.29% calc(100% – 5px),92.86% calc(100% – 4px),91.43% calc(100% – 5px),90% calc(100% – 9px),88.57% calc(100% – 15px),87.14% calc(100% – 22px),85.71% calc(100% – 30px),84.29% calc(100% – 22px),82.86% calc(100% – 15px),81.43% calc(100% – 9px),80% calc(100% – 5px),78.57% calc(100% – 4px),77.14% calc(100% – 5px),75.71% calc(100% – 9px),74.29% calc(100% – 15px),72.86% calc(100% – 22px),71.43% calc(100% – 30px),70% calc(100% – 22px),68.57% calc(100% – 15px),67.14% calc(100% – 9px),65.71% calc(100% – 5px),64.29% calc(100% – 4px),62.86% calc(100% – 5px),61.43% calc(100% – 9px),60% calc(100% – 15px),58.57% calc(100% – 22px),57.14% calc(100% – 30px),55.71% calc(100% – 22px),54.29% calc(100% – 15px),52.86% calc(100% – 9px),51.43% calc(100% – 5px),50% calc(100% – 4px),48.57% calc(100% – 5px),47.14% calc(100% – 9px),45.71% calc(100% – 15px),44.29% calc(100% – 22px),42.86% calc(100% – 30px),41.43% calc(100% – 22px),40% calc(100% – 15px),38.57% calc(100% – 9px),37.14% calc(100% – 5px),35.71% calc(100% – 4px),34.29% calc(100% – 5px),32.86% calc(100% – 9px),31.43% calc(100% – 15px),30% calc(100% – 22px),28.57% calc(100% – 30px),27.14% calc(100% – 22px),25.71% calc(100% – 15px),24.29% calc(100% – 9px),22.86% calc(100% – 5px),21.43% calc(100% – 4px),20% calc(100% – 5px),18.57% calc(100% – 9px),17.14% calc(100% – 15px),15.71% calc(100% – 22px),14.29% calc(100% – 30px),12.86% calc(100% – 22px),11.43% calc(100% – 15px),10% calc(100% – 9px),8.57% calc(100% – 5px),7.14% calc(100% – 4px),5.71% calc(100% – 5px),4.29% calc(100% – 9px),2.86% calc(100% – 15px),1.43% calc(100% – 22px),0% calc(100% – 30px));padding-bottom:96px}.sf-la .sf-hero::before{background:linear-gradient(95deg,rgba(36,24,15,.84) 0%,rgba(36,24,15,.52) 52%,rgba(36,24,15,.14) 100%)}.sf-la .sf-eyebrow{border-radius:3px 14px 3px 14px;background:#24180F;color:#E8EEDC;border-left:4px solid #C9D3B4;padding:5px 14px 4px 12px;letter-spacing:.06em}.sf-la .sf-hero .sf-sub{color:#F3EDE2}.sf-la .sf-hero[style*=”background-image”]::before{background:linear-gradient(95deg,rgba(36,24,15,.90) 0%,rgba(36,24,15,.66) 46%,rgba(59,36,20,.32) 80%,rgba(59,36,20,.18) 100%),linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(20,12,6,.72),rgba(20,12,6,0) 50%)}.sf-la .sf-bar{background-color:#24180F;background-image:radial-gradient(560px 230px at 96% 0,rgba(201,211,180,.24),rgba(201,211,180,0)),linear-gradient(100deg,#24180F 40%,#4A2E1A)}.sf-la .sf-bar p{color:#EFE8DC}.sf-la .sf-band–white,.sf-la .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-color:#fff;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 94% 6%,rgba(142,59,30,.12),rgba(142,59,30,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 4% 96%,rgba(201,211,180,.42),rgba(201,211,180,0) 62%),radial-gradient(640px 400px at 50% 50%,rgba(232,128,96,.10),rgba(232,128,96,0) 62%),linear-gradient(135deg,#FFFFFF,#FBF8F1,#F1EBDD)}.sf-la .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 6% 6%,rgba(142,59,30,.12),rgba(142,59,30,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 96% 96%,rgba(201,211,180,.42),rgba(201,211,180,0) 62%),linear-gradient(225deg,#FFFFFF,#FBF8F1,#F1EBDD)}.sf-la .sf-band–mist{background-color:#F5F1E8;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 520px at 10% 8%,rgba(201,211,180,.48),rgba(201,211,180,0) 64%),radial-gradient(720px 460px at 92% 94%,rgba(142,59,30,.14),rgba(142,59,30,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#FAF7F0,#F5F1E8,#EAE2D1)}.sf-la .sf-band–deep,.sf-la .sf-band–ink{color:#F1ECE2}.sf-la .sf-band–deep{background-color:#1D2A33;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 92% 6%,rgba(201,211,180,.14),rgba(201,211,180,0) 62%),radial-gradient(800px 500px at 6% 94%,rgba(232,128,96,.16),rgba(232,128,96,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#243541,#1D2A33,#131C23)}.sf-la .sf-band–ink{background-color:#24180F;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 8% 6%,rgba(90,56,32,.66),rgba(90,56,32,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 480px at 94% 96%,rgba(201,211,180,.16),rgba(201,211,180,0) 62%),linear-gradient(150deg,#301F13,#24180F,#170F09)}.sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-src,.sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-src{color:#DCD6C8}.sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-head p,.sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-head p,.sf-la .sf-cta p{color:#ECE6DA}.sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-card p,.sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-card p,.sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-fact span,.sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-fact span{color:#E6E0D3}body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-list li span,body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-list li span{color:#ECE6DA}body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–mist .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–white .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn){color:#7E3218}body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–mist .sf-list li>span,body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–white .sf-list li>span{color:#4F4235}.sf-la .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#5A3820,#A9875F)}.sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-barrow .t,.sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#A7B78C,#C9D3B4)}.sf-la .sf-pill{background:#ECE6D8;color:#2E2116}.sf-la .sf-btn:hover{background:#DDE5CC;border-color:#DDE5CC}.sf-la .sf-card-img,.sf-la .sf-tile{background-color:#4A2E1A}.sf-la .sf-q p{color:#3B2E22}.sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-kicker,.sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-kicker,.sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-fact b,.sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-fact b{color:#D3DCBF}.sf-la .sf-kicker{color:#8E3B1E}.sf-la .sf-pf-card h3{color:#1A120B!important}.sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-btn–ghost,.sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-btn–ghost{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.48);background:rgba(20,12,6,.38)}body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–deep a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–ink a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#D3DCBF}.sf-la .sf-tablewrap{color:#24180F;border-color:#E6DFD0}.sf-la .sf-table td{color:#24180F}.sf-la .sf-table th{background:#4A2E1A;color:#fff}.sf-la .sf-table tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#F7F3EA}body.sfs .sf-la .sf-tablewrap a,body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#7E3218}.sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-q,.sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-q{background:rgba(255,255,255,.07);border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.18)}.sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-q p,.sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-q p{color:#EFE9DE}body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-q h3,body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-q h3{color:#FFFFFF}body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-la .sf-pill a{color:#7E3218}.sf-la .sf-band–deep .sf-card .sf-more,.sf-la .sf-band–ink .sf-card .sf-more{color:#DDE5CC}.sf-la .sf-bar .sf-crumbs,.sf-la .sf-bar .sf-crumbs span,body.sfs .sf-la .sf-bar .sf-crumbs a{color:#FFFFFF}.sf-la .sf-note{color:#24180F}body.sfs .sf-la .sf-note a{color:#7E3218}@media (max-width:760px){.sf-la .sf-hero{clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 17px),97.5% calc(100% – 12px),95% calc(100% – 8px),92.5% calc(100% – 5px),90% calc(100% – 3px),87.5% calc(100% – 2px),85% calc(100% – 3px),82.5% calc(100% – 5px),80% calc(100% – 8px),77.5% calc(100% – 12px),75% calc(100% – 17px),72.5% calc(100% – 12px),70% calc(100% – 8px),67.5% calc(100% – 5px),65% calc(100% – 3px),62.5% calc(100% – 2px),60% calc(100% – 3px),57.5% calc(100% – 5px),55% calc(100% – 8px),52.5% calc(100% – 12px),50% calc(100% – 17px),47.5% calc(100% – 12px),45% calc(100% – 8px),42.5% calc(100% – 5px),40% calc(100% – 3px),37.5% calc(100% – 2px),35% calc(100% – 3px),32.5% calc(100% – 5px),30% calc(100% – 8px),27.5% calc(100% – 12px),25% calc(100% – 17px),22.5% calc(100% – 12px),20% calc(100% – 8px),17.5% calc(100% – 5px),15% calc(100% – 3px),12.5% calc(100% – 2px),10% calc(100% – 3px),7.5% calc(100% – 5px),5% calc(100% – 8px),2.5% calc(100% – 12px),0% calc(100% – 17px));padding-bottom:62px}}
For the catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 $89.99
Caddo Lake 20 mi
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0 
Lake Bistineau 26 mi
Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Cross Lake 14 mi
Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Bossier City 9.8 mi
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
Louisiana lakes and reservoirs
Pick for catfishPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 $219.99
Black Bayou Reservoir Fishing
A 620-acre Louisiana reservoir in Bossier Parish.
Pick for catfishPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of Cross Lake: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Bossier Parish
Black Bayou Reservoir at a glance for Louisiana anglers
Black Bayou Reservoir spans 620 acres of reservoir water in Bossier Parish, by the LDWF figure. Its average depth is about 9.9 feet, per LDWF. A run of about 3 miles reaches Benton, the closest town.
The LDWF launch inventory lists 1 launch, 0 of them public. There are 1 pier or bank site as well. Read 1 water-body exception before keeping fish. Questions go to LDWF District 1.
620acres (LDWF)
9.9 ftaverage depth
1launches
1piers and bank sites
LDWF Inland Waterbodies with Management Plans layer (Size, average depth, popular species, cover, access and tips text), Census 2023 places, retrieved October 28, 2026. LDWF office: District 1; 9961 Hwy 80, Minden, LA 71055; 318-371-5216.
Species
Bass, sac-a-lait and catfish on Black Bayou Reservoir
Popular species on the LDWF record for Black Bayou Reservoir: Good for largemouth bass, bluegill; fair for crappie, channel catfish.
Seasonal patterns LDWF gives for Black Bayou Reservoir
Crappie, catfish: drift fishing in summer and winter; bass: in shallows around shoreline vegetation and docks in spring, points, and drop-offs in main lake in summer with Carolina rigs and crankbaits
Stumps, grass and timber in Black Bayou Reservoir
Highly developed shoreline with most banks covered with piers or seawalls
LDWF Inland Waterbodies with Management Plans text (popular species, fishing tips, cover; not a full species census), LOWA records and LDWF stocking; retrieved October 28, 2026.
For the catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Access
Backing a trailer down at Black Bayou Reservoir
- Parks Road Ramp on Black Bayou Reservoir2-lane concrete ramp, private, fee, Private; pay to launch
Fishing Black Bayou Reservoir on foot
- Black Bayou Reservoir Fishing Pierfishing pier, Bank and fishing pier
More LDWF launches a short tow from Black Bayou Reservoir
- Cypress Park Ramp on Cypress Bayou ReservoirCypress Bayou Reservoir, 2 miles northeast
- Cypress Lake Dam on Cypress Bayou ReservoirCypress Bayou Reservoir, 3 miles east
- Hwy 162 Ramp on Cypress Bayou ReservoirCypress Bayou Reservoir, 4 miles north
- Cash Point on Red RiverRed River, 4 miles southwest
- Twin Bridges launch on Bodcau CreekBodcau Creek, 9 miles east
- Stoner Ramp on Red River Pool 5Red River Pool 5, 11 miles south
LDWF boat launch inventory (BoatRamps05152025) and LDWF Banks and Piers layer, retrieved October 28, 2026.
Stocking
The LDWF stocking file for Black Bayou Reservoir
Releases LDWF lists for Black Bayou Reservoir:
- Florida BassFlorida Bass, 84,200 fingerlings, 2025 (Stocked January-June 2025.)
- Florida BassFlorida Bass, 15,000 fingerlings, 2024 (Stocked January-June 2024.)
LDWF hatchery stocking releases (spring 2024 and 2025 per-water tables, single stockings to 2026); LDWF publishes no per-row dates; retrieved October 28, 2026.
Limits
Louisiana freshwater limits on Black Bayou Reservoir
| Species | Daily limit and size | Season |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Buffalo fish (or their hybrids) | 25 daily; 16" MLL | Open year-round |
| Catfish (blue, channel and flathead) | 100 daily in the aggregate. An angler may possess up to 25 undersized catfish of the three species combined.; Blue Catfish: 12" MLL; Channel Catfish: 11" MLL; Flathead Catfish: 14" MLL | Open year-round |
| Freshwater drum (gaspergou) | 25 daily; 12" MLL | Open year-round |
| Paddlefish | 2 daily (fish cannot be retained alive & cannot be harvested by snagging methods); 30" max lower jaw fork length | Open year-round |
| Shad | 50 pounds daily | Open year-round |
| Sturgeon | No legal harvest or possession | Closed (no legal harvest or possession) |
| Other freshwater fish (all species of bream and garfish) | No daily limit | Open year-round |
| Crawfish | 150 pounds daily | Open year-round |
| Rainbow trout (Get Out & Fish! community ponds) | five fish per person (daily limit) | Stocked mid-January to early February, pending a decrease in water temperatures |
The statewide rows are the default on Black Bayou Reservoir, with any listed exception on top.
Water-body rules LDWF prints for Black Bayou Reservoir
| Water as printed | Where | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Cypress Lake and Black Bayou Reservoir | Whole water | No fish seines, gill nets or trammel nets. No hoop nets, slat traps or wire nets from March 1 – Oct. 31. |
Rules as printed in the 2026 Louisiana Recreational Fishing Regulations (LDWF pamphlet, updated September 21, 2026), pages 18 to 21 (pamphlet PDF); second read on the LDWF freshwater page October 28, 2026.
Louisiana anglers 18 and older carry a Basic Fishing License: $17 a year for residents and $68 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 freshwater finfish page October 28, 2026.
Compare
Comparing Black Bayou Reservoir with nearby Louisiana lakes
The biggest lake in the table is Caddo Lake with 26,800 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Average depth | Launches | LDWF reefs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bayou Reservoir | 620 | 9.9 ft | 1 | 0 | |
| Cypress Bayou Reservoir | 3 miles northeast | 3,100 | 8.3 ft | 3 | 0 |
| Cross Lake | 14 miles southwest | 8,576 | 7.7 ft | 4 | 1 |
| Ivan Lake | 17 miles northeast | 520 | 6.5 ft | 1 | 1 |
| Red River Pool 5 | 19 miles south | 10,800 | 10 ft | 4 | 0 |
| Caddo Lake | 20 miles west | 26,800 | 4.8 ft | 6 | 0 |
LDWF Inland Waterbodies with Management Plans, launch inventory and reef layers; retrieved October 28, 2026.
Nearby
The parish country around Black Bayou Reservoir
Louisiana lakes a short drive from Black Bayou Reservoir
- Cypress Bayou Reservoir3 miles northeast
- Cross Lake14 miles southwest
- Ivan Lake17 miles northeast
- Red River Pool 519 miles south
- Caddo Lake20 miles west
Louisiana tackle counters close to Black Bayou Reservoir
- Bait Bucketbait and tackle shop, Benton, 7 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Bossier Citysporting goods store, Bossier City, 7 miles
- Northwood Bait & Tackle Cobait and tackle shop, Shreveport, 9 miles
- Bass Pro Shops Bossier Citysporting goods store, Bossier City, 10 miles
- Gator Bait Incbait and tackle shop, Shreveport, 12 miles
- Drift Inn Landingmarina, Mooringsport, 14 miles
Places to sleep near Black Bayou Reservoir
- Benton3 miles
- Red Chute8 miles
- Bossier City10 miles
Parish guides covering Black Bayou Reservoir
- Bossier Parishseat: Benton
Piscifun
A Piscifun outfit to take down to Black Bayou Reservoir
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photos
Pictures of fishing water by Black Bayou Reservoir
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Answers
Questions people ask LDWF about Black Bayou Reservoir, answered here
How do I spot Black Bayou Reservoir on a parish map?
Look in Bossier Parish, about 3 miles from Benton.
How big is Black Bayou Reservoir by the LDWF figure?
620 acres by the LDWF size field.
Is there a public launch on Black Bayou Reservoir?
1 launch in the LDWF inventory; try Parks Road Ramp on Black Bayou Reservoir.
What does LDWF say anglers catch at Black Bayou Reservoir?
largemouth bass, bluegill, white crappie and channel catfish, by LDWF and the records.
Which pamphlet rules reach Black Bayou Reservoir?
Black bass (largemouth and spotted): 10 daily; Open year-round. The pamphlet also prints an exception for this water; see the limits band.
Which LDWF license do I carry on Black Bayou Reservoir?
Louisiana anglers 18 and older carry a Basic Fishing License: $17 a year for residents and $68 for nonresidents.
Is Black Bayou Reservoir a shallow lake?
Average about 9.9 feet; LDWF prints no deepest point.
Which tackle counter on our Louisiana list sits nearest Black Bayou Reservoir?
Bait Bucket is the nearest tackle stop we list, about 7 miles away.
What has LDWF stocked in Black Bayou Reservoir?
Hatchery rows include Florida Bass, 84,200 fingerlings, 2025.
Take the back roads to Black Bayou Reservoir
Every Louisiana fee and creel limit is one click away.