.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}}

Louisiana lakes and reservoirs

Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes Fishing

A 3,028-acre Louisiana lake in De Soto Parish.

Get driving directions

Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 ~~$129.99~~

Photo of Lake Bistineau: Michael McCarthy (msm62166), CC BY 2.0

De Soto Parish

First facts on Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes from LDWF

By the LDWF size figure, Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes spreads across 3,028 acres of De Soto Parish. Average depth: near 4 feet in the LDWF text. Mansfield lies some 10 miles from the outline point.

LDWF tallies 1 launch, with 1 listed as public. LDWF handles it from District 10.

3,028acres (LDWF)

4 ftaverage depth

1launches

3species named

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 10; 615 South Dr, Natchitoches, LA 71457; 318-357-3214.

Directions to Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

Species

The LDWF popular-species line for Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

LDWF biologists rate these as the main catch at Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes: Largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish.

Largemouth bass White crappie Bluegill

How biologists say to work Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

Largemouth bass: spinnerbaits, topwater baits, and jigs along main channel; crappie: shiners near cypress trees: sunfish: in spring with crickets and worms on sandy areas near bank or on points

Cover worth casting to in Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

Mostly undeveloped shoreline, cypress trees, submerged aquatic weeds along main channel, excessive vegetation in late summer and fall

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 largemouth bass herePiscifun AlinoX 300 low profile baitcaster34% OFFSale $104.99 ~~$159.99~~

Access

LDWF-listed launches on Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

Hwy 509 Ramp on Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes2-lane concrete ramp, public, no fee, Public; free launch

LDWF on shoreline access: Access near boat ramp and bridge on LA Hwy 509 just east of Interstate 49 and at end of Smithport Lake Rd

Nearby launches when Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes is busy

Bishop's Point on Red River Pool 5Red River Pool 5, 10 miles northeast
Loggy Bayou WMALoggy Bayou, 14 miles northeast
Norris Ferry Ramp on Wallace LakeWallace Lake, 14 miles northwest
Cypress Garden launch on Wallace LakeWallace Lake, 15 miles northwest

LDWF boat launch inventory (BoatRamps05152025) and LDWF Banks and Piers layer, retrieved October 28, 2026.

Stocking

What hatcheries stocked in Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

LDWF hatcheries report these releases into Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes.

Florida BassFlorida Bass, 15,100 fingerlings, 2025 (Stocked January-June 2025.)

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

What may go in the ice chest at Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

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 Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes; 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.

Louisiana licenses and limits

Compare

Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes and five nearby lakes

Anglers wanting a bigger lake can run to Lake Bistineau, 17,200 acres.

Lake	Distance	Acres	Average depth	Launches	LDWF reefs
Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes		3,028	4 ft	1	0
Wallace Lake (De Soto Parish)	15 miles northwest	2,300	3.4 ft	3	0
Red River Pool 5	17 miles north	10,800	10 ft	4	0
Grand Bayou Reservoir	22 miles southeast	2,500	10 ft	1	3
Lake Bistineau	24 miles northeast	17,200	9 ft	19	0
Kepler Creek Lake	30 miles northeast	1,925	8.7 ft	3	0

LDWF Inland Waterbodies with Management Plans, launch inventory and reef layers; retrieved October 28, 2026.

Nearby

Shops, towns and water by Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

Neighbouring lakes to Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

Wallace Lake (De Soto Parish)15 miles northwest
Red River Pool 517 miles north
Grand Bayou Reservoir22 miles southeast
Lake Bistineau24 miles northeast
Kepler Creek Lake30 miles northeast

Bait and ice near Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

Blue Bird Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Mansfield, 11 miles
Fishing Frenzy Tackle & Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Stonewall, 16 miles
Academy Sports + Outdoors Shreveportsporting goods store, Shreveport, 20 miles
Dick's Sporting Goods Shreveportsporting goods store, Shreveport, 21 miles
Lorant's Sports Center Incbait and tackle shop, Shreveport, 22 miles
Bacon's Tacklebait and tackle shop, Shreveport, 23 miles

Louisiana overnight bases for Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

Mansfield10 miles
Stonewall15 miles
Coushatta17 miles

Parish pages that list Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

De Soto Parishseat: Mansfield

Piscifun

Reels and line from Piscifun ahead of Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.

Fish photos

Fish to recognise before a trip to Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

Yellow Bass, Louisiana — Yellow Bass
Photo: Dominic, CC BY 4.0

Bowfin, Louisiana — Bowfin
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain

Smallmouth Buffalo, Louisiana — Smallmouth Buffalo
Photo: moxostoma, CC BY 4.0

Freshwater Drum, Louisiana — Freshwater Drum
Photo: Prof. emerit. Dr. Hans Schneider ( Geyersberg ), CC BY-SA 3.0

Answers

What first-timers on Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes want to know

Where in Louisiana is Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes?

The outline sits in De Soto Parish, about 10 miles from Mansfield.

How many acres does LDWF credit to Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes?

Roughly 3,028 acres.

Where is the closest launch to Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes?

Yes: LDWF lists 1 launch, Hwy 509 Ramp on Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes among them.

Which gamefish does LDWF credit to Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes?

LDWF names largemouth bass, white crappie and bluegill.

Is there a size limit at Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes?

Black bass (largemouth and spotted): 10 daily; Open year-round.

Can a visitor from Texas fish Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes?

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 Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes?

LDWF lists roughly 4 feet as the average.

Where can I pick up shiners near Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes?

Closest on our Louisiana list: Blue Bird Bait & Tackle, about 11 miles away.

Were Florida bass put in Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes?

The stocking band shows Florida Bass, 15,100 fingerlings, 2025.

Spend a Louisiana weekend on Clear Lake and Smithport Lakes

Buy the Louisiana license online before you go.

Louisiana licenses and limits All Louisiana lakes