Saline Lake Fishing
A 8,400-acre Louisiana lake in Natchitoches and Winn parishes.
Pick for largemouth bassPiscifun Chaos Pro CNC baitcasting reel25% OFFSale $97.99 Photo of Black – Clear Lake: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0
The LDWF picture of Saline Lake
In Natchitoches and Winn parishes, Saline Lake offers 8,400 acres of lake water by the LDWF count. On average it runs about 7 feet deep, LDWF says. Fuel and ice are closest in Winnfield, near 14 miles away.
There are 5 launches on file with LDWF; 5 are public. LDWF also maps 1 pier or bank site for shore fishing. Biologists work it out of District 10.
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.
Fish LDWF biologists name for Saline Lake
The popular species LDWF lists for Saline Lake: Largemouth bass (stocked), white and black crappie, bluegill, redear.
The LDWF playbook for Saline Lake
Bass: near access to bank lines, in open areas throughout flooded cypress forest, in submerged aquatic weeds, isolated cypress trees, jigs, spinnerbaits, and small topwater baits; crappie: jigs, shiners; bluegill and redear: near open areas with sandy bo
Habitat notes for Saline Lake
Cypress trees, creek channels, open areas with scattered aquatic vegetation
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.
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- Keyhole Ramp on Saline Lake2-lane concrete ramp, public, no fee, Public; free launch
- Kisatchie Forest launch on Saline Lakeboat launch public
- Mulligan Inn launch on Saline Lake2-lane concrete ramp, public, no fee, Public; free launch
- Saline Lake Spillway2-lane concrete ramp, public, no fee, Public; free launch
- Sand Point on Saline Lake1-lane concrete ramp, public, no fee, Public; free launch
Bank sites LDWF maps on Saline Lake
- Saline Bayoubank fishing, Bank access, boat launch, restrooms
From the LDWF access note: Access just above and below Saline Lake Dam at end of Chee Chee Dam Rd in Winn Parish
If the Saline Lake launch is crowded
- Lonadier Landing on Black Lake and Clear LakeBlack Lake and Clear Lake, 6 miles southwest
- Motter's Landing on Black Lake and Clear LakeBlack Lake and Clear Lake, 7 miles southwest
- Sandy Point on Black Lake and Clear LakeBlack Lake and Clear Lake, 8 miles west
- Westwind Ramp on Black Lake and Clear LakeBlack Lake and Clear Lake, 9 miles west
- Chandler's Camp on Black Lake and Clear LakeBlack Lake and Clear Lake, 10 miles west
- Black Lake Lodge on Black Lake and Clear LakeBlack Lake and Clear Lake, 10 miles west
LDWF boat launch inventory (BoatRamps05152025) and LDWF Banks and Piers layer, retrieved October 28, 2026.
Lake stage LDWF anglers check at Saline Lake
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Saline Lake At Dam Near Clarence, La | 95.27 ft gage height | Oct 31 5:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 31, 2026 6:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Each level for Saline Lake carries an agency and time stamp.
Creel and size limits for Saline 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 |
Saline Lake follows the statewide freshwater limits unless named below.
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.
Parish lakes near Saline Lake, side by side
Black Lake and Clear Lake has the most water in this group, 13,800 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Average depth | Launches | LDWF reefs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saline Lake | 8,400 | 7 ft | 5 | 0 | |
| Black Lake and Clear Lake | 7 miles west | 13,800 | 8 ft | 7 | 0 |
| Cane River Lake | 16 miles southwest | 1,350 | 8.9 ft | 4 | 0 |
| Sibley Lake | 17 miles southwest | 2,175 | 7 ft | 3 | 8 |
| Mill Creek Reservoir | 18 miles north | 560 | 10.6 ft | 1 | 0 |
| Nantachie Lake | 21 miles south | 1,580 | 7 ft | 4 | 0 |
LDWF Inland Waterbodies with Management Plans, launch inventory and reef layers; retrieved October 28, 2026.
More of Louisiana near Saline Lake
Lakes worth a look after Saline Lake
- Black Lake and Clear Lake7 miles west
- Cane River Lake16 miles southwest
- Sibley Lake17 miles southwest
- Mill Creek Reservoir18 miles north
- Nantachie Lake21 miles south
Louisiana bait stops around Saline Lake
- Bayou Outdoors Incbait and tackle shop, Natchitoches, 17 miles
- Cypress Knee Outdoorsbait and tackle shop, Natchitoches, 23 miles
- Point Place Marinamarina, Natchitoches
Where to stay for Saline Lake
- Winnfield14 miles
- Natchitoches18 miles
- Jonesboro24 miles
Parishes along Saline Lake
- Natchitoches Parishseat: Natchitoches
- Winn Parishseat: Winnfield
Bayou-tough Piscifun reels for a day on Saline Lake
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A picture guide to fish at Saline Lake
Photo: Dominic, CC BY 4.0
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Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: (c) Quinn, some rights reserved (CC BY), CC BY 4.0
Before the drive to Saline Lake, the common questions
What parish line does Saline Lake sit on?
It lies in Natchitoches and Winn parishes, about 14 miles from Winnfield.
How much water does Saline Lake spread across its parish?
About 8,400 acres.
Which launch should I use at Saline Lake?
Use Keyhole Ramp on Saline Lake, one of 5 launches.
Which species can I catch at Saline Lake?
LDWF points to largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish.
What creel does LDWF allow on Saline Lake?
Black bass (largemouth and spotted): 10 daily; Open year-round.
Do I need a Louisiana license to fish Saline Lake?
Louisiana anglers 18 and older carry a Basic Fishing License: $17 a year for residents and $68 for nonresidents.
How deep does Saline Lake run on average?
About 7 feet on average, per LDWF; no maximum is printed.
Is there a bait stand on the way to Saline Lake?
Bayou Outdoors Inc, about 17 miles away, is the first bait counter on our Louisiana list.
Where can I check the pool at Saline Lake?
Above: the dated reading from USGS.
Put Saline Lake on the Sportsman's Paradise list
License prices and the statewide creel limits sit on one page.