Catahoula Lake Fishing
A 16,527-acre Louisiana lake in LaSalle and Rapides parishes.
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First facts on Catahoula Lake from LDWF
By the LDWF size figure, Catahoula Lake spreads across 16,527 acres of LaSalle and Rapides parishes. Jena lies some 12 miles from the outline point.
LDWF tallies 2 launches, with 2 listed as public.
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-listed launches on Catahoula Lake
- Catahoula Lake Diversion Canalboat launch public
- French Fork Landing on Catahoula Lake1-lane concrete ramp, public
Nearby launches when Catahoula Lake is busy
- Russell Landing on Little RiverLittle River, 5 miles southwest
- Old River Landing on Little RiverLittle River, 9 miles northeast
- Lonnies Landing on Lehman LakeLehman Lake, 9 miles west
- Muddy Bayou LandingMuddy Bayou, 9 miles southeast
- Archie Dam Landing on Little RiverLittle River, 9 miles northeast
- Phil's Landing on Larto-Saline ComplexLarto-Saline Complex, 10 miles southeast
LDWF boat launch inventory (BoatRamps05152025) and LDWF Banks and Piers layer, retrieved October 28, 2026.
Where Catahoula Lake stands today
USACE Vicksburg District, Catahoula Lake; reading for October 28, 2026, retrieved October 28, 2026. Provisional; source page.
USGS lake gauges refresh live; Corps and river authority figures above are the dated reading from their page.
What may go in the ice chest at Catahoula Lake
| 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 |
Begin with the statewide freshwater table for Catahoula Lake; pamphlet exceptions take priority.
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.
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Anglers wanting a bigger lake can run to Larto-Saline Complex, 8,000 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Average depth | Launches | LDWF reefs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catahoula Lake | 16,527 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Lehman Lake | 9 miles west | 123 | 1 | 0 | |
| Hardwater Lake | 10 miles west | 513 | 3.5 ft | 1 | 0 |
| Larto-Saline Complex | 16 miles southeast | 8,000 | 10 ft | 6 | 23 |
| Wallace Lake (Catahoula Parish) | 20 miles northeast | 262 | 12 ft | 0 | 0 |
| Tew Lake | 21 miles northeast | 192 | 8 ft | 0 | 0 |
LDWF Inland Waterbodies with Management Plans, launch inventory and reef layers; retrieved October 28, 2026.
Shops, towns and water by Catahoula Lake
Neighbouring lakes to Catahoula Lake
- Lehman Lake9 miles west
- Hardwater Lake10 miles west
- Larto-Saline Complex16 miles southeast
- Wallace Lake (Catahoula Parish)20 miles northeast
- Tew Lake21 miles northeast
Bait and ice near Catahoula Lake
- Cooper's Wholesale Baitbait and tackle shop, Ball, 20 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Alexandriasporting goods store, Alexandria
- Holloway Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Pineville
Booked trips to Catahoula Lake
- Fisher Fishing and More Lcharter, Deville, (318) 704-5794
Louisiana overnight bases for Catahoula Lake
- Jena12 miles
- Jonesville18 miles
- Ball18 miles
Parish pages that list Catahoula Lake
- LaSalle Parishseat: Jena
- Rapides Parishseat: Alexandria
Reels and line from Piscifun ahead of Catahoula Lake
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Fish to recognise before a trip to Catahoula Lake
Photo: Dominic, CC BY 4.0
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Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: moxostoma, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Prof. emerit. Dr. Hans Schneider ( Geyersberg ), CC BY-SA 3.0
What first-timers on Catahoula Lake want to know
Where in Louisiana is Catahoula Lake?
The outline sits in LaSalle and Rapides parishes, about 12 miles from Jena.
How many acres does LDWF credit to Catahoula Lake?
Roughly 16,527 acres.
Where is the closest launch to Catahoula Lake?
Yes: LDWF lists 2 launches, Catahoula Lake Diversion Canal among them.
Which gamefish does LDWF credit to Catahoula Lake?
LDWF publishes no species list for it here.
Is there a size limit at Catahoula Lake?
Black bass (largemouth and spotted): 10 daily; Open year-round.
Can a visitor from Texas fish Catahoula Lake?
Louisiana anglers 18 and older carry a Basic Fishing License: $17 a year for residents and $68 for nonresidents.
What is the average depth of Catahoula Lake?
There is no published depth.
Where can I pick up shiners near Catahoula Lake?
Closest on our Louisiana list: Cooper's Wholesale Bait, about 20 miles away.
What was the latest reading at Catahoula Lake?
See the level panel (USACE Vicksburg District).
Spend a Louisiana weekend on Catahoula Lake
Buy the Louisiana license online before you go.