What Lake Borgne offers and why it matters

Lake Borgne is a shallow, brackish estuary east of New Orleans where freshwater from the Mississippi River mixes with Gulf saltwater. The lake sits behind the Industrial Canal and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, making it one of the most accessible large bodies of water in St. Bernard Parish. Most of the lake runs 4 to 8 feet deep, with scattered deeper holes and a soft mud bottom that holds structure well.

The water here is neither fully fresh nor fully salt—it's the in-between that makes Borgne different from the bayous to the west and the Gulf to the east. That brackish character shapes which fish live here, how they behave, and what tackle and bait work best. The lake also sits in a working industrial zone, so boat traffic, pipeline markers, and spoil banks are part of the landscape you'll navigate.

Key Takeaways

  • Redfish, spotted seatrout, and black drum are the primary targets, with redfish most abundant in shallow grass flats and drum in deeper holes near structure.
  • Brackish water means salinity changes with season and rainfall, so fish location shifts—higher salinity in summer pushes fish toward fresher areas, lower salinity in winter concentrates them near the Gulf connection.
  • Launch from the Violet Canal boat ramp or the Industrial Canal near the Ninth Ward, both free public access points that put you on the water in minutes.
  • Soft mud bottom and shallow water mean you'll run aground if you're not reading the depth sounder and watching the color of the water ahead.
  • Early morning and late afternoon produce better than midday, and the bite is strongest in spring and fall when water temperature is moderate.

Redfish and seatrout in shallow grass

Redfish dominate the shallow flats of Lake Borgne, especially where marsh grass and spartina create edges and pockets. These fish hunt in water 1 to 3 feet deep, often with their backs exposed or tails waving in the shallows. A poling skiff or shallow-draft boat is ideal here—anything drawing more than 18 inches will limit where you can go.

Spotted seatrout hold similar shallow structure but often sit slightly deeper, in 2 to 4 feet. Both species respond to live shrimp under a popping cork, soft plastics on light jig heads, and topwater plugs early and late in the day. The key is moving slowly and watching for tails or nervous water. Redfish especially will spook at engine noise, so cut the motor 50 yards out and pole or drift the last stretch.

Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) are peak seasons for both species. Summer heat pushes fish into deeper holes and toward fresher water, and winter cold slows the bite, though it doesn't stop it entirely. Brackish water means salinity varies, so fish location can shift week to week depending on rainfall and river flow.

Black drum and deeper structure

Black drum—some weighing 40 to 60 pounds—live in the deeper holes and channels of Lake Borgne, particularly near the spoil banks and pipeline crossings that mark the lake bottom. These fish are bottom feeders that crush hard-shelled prey: crabs, clams, and oysters. They're not subtle, and neither is the tackle needed to fish for them.

Live blue crabs or fiddler crabs on a heavy sinker work best, fished on the bottom near structure. You'll feel the drum's head-shaking bite—it's unmistakable. The challenge is landing one: they have strong jaws and will test your drag and your patience. A 7-foot medium-heavy rod with 20-pound braid and a 30-pound fluorocarbon leader is standard. Drum season peaks in spring and again in fall, though they're present year-round.

The deeper holes also hold catfish, which are easier to catch and just as good to eat. Channel catfish and blue catfish respond to cut mullet, chicken liver, or stink baits. Night fishing for catfish is productive and less crowded than daytime redfish sight-casting.

Launching and navigating the water

The Violet Canal boat ramp, located off Claiborne Avenue in the Violet area, is the most direct public launch for Lake Borgne. It's free, has parking, and puts you on the water in a few minutes. The Industrial Canal near the Ninth Ward also offers access, though the ramp there is smaller and can get crowded on weekends.

Once on the water, navigation requires attention. The lake is shallow and soft-bottomed, so running at speed without a depth sounder is a good way to get stuck. Watch the water color: dark water is usually deeper, while light tan or brown water signals shallows. Spoil banks—dredged material piled along the edges—are marked on GPS but can shift, so don't rely on old waypoints alone.

The Industrial Canal and Gulf Intracoastal Waterway carry barge traffic, especially early morning and late afternoon. Stay clear of the marked channel and watch for wakes. Fog is common in fall and winter mornings, so a GPS and a compass are not optional—the lake can look featureless in low visibility.

Tackle and bait for brackish water

Brackish water is harder on gear than either fresh or salt. Corrosion happens faster, so rinse everything with fresh water after each trip. Reel drag systems, rod guides, and hooks all corrode if left wet overnight. A 6 to 7-foot medium-power spinning rod with 15 to 20-pound braid is the workhorse setup for redfish and seatrout. Fluorocarbon leader (12 to 20 pounds) is worth the cost because it resists corrosion better than monofilament.

Live shrimp are the most reliable bait, available at tackle shops in Chalmette and along the Industrial Canal. Live mullet work for larger redfish and drum. Cut mullet is cheaper and works for catfish and drum. Soft plastics—4 to 5-inch paddle-tail shads in natural colors—are effective and let you cover water faster than live bait.

Topwater plugs produce strikes early and late, especially in spring and fall. Popping corks rigged with live shrimp are a classic setup that works year-round. Jig heads (1/8 to 1/4 ounce depending on depth and wind) with soft plastics are versatile and let you fish shallow flats efficiently.

Seasonal patterns and water conditions

Lake Borgne's fish respond strongly to salinity changes. In summer, higher salinity pushes redfish and seatrout toward the fresher western end of the lake, near the Mississippi River outflow. In winter, lower salinity from rainfall concentrates fish near the Gulf connection at the lake's eastern end. Spring and fall are transition seasons when fish are spread across the lake and feeding actively.

Water temperature matters too. Redfish and seatrout bite best when water is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Below 55 degrees, the bite slows significantly. Above 85 degrees, fish move to deeper water and are harder to find on the flats. Drum are less temperature-sensitive and bite year-round, though spring and fall are still peak.

Rainfall affects visibility and salinity within days. Heavy rain pushes freshwater into the lake, which can trigger a feeding spree as fish adjust to the change. It also muddies the water, making sight-casting harder but making fish less wary of your boat.

Hazards and what to watch for

Running aground is the most common problem on Lake Borgne. The bottom is soft mud, so you won't tear a hole, but you will get stuck. Carry a push pole or a shallow-draft trolling motor as backup. If you do run aground, don't gun the engine—you'll dig deeper. Pole off or wait for the tide to rise.

Fog is dangerous here because the lake is featureless and wide. A GPS is essential, and a compass is a good backup. Barge traffic in the Industrial Canal and Intracoastal Waterway can create sudden wakes, so stay alert and keep your speed manageable in crowded areas.

Alligators are present but rarely aggressive toward boats. Snakes are also around, especially in marsh grass. Wear shoes and keep your hands and feet in the boat. The sun reflects hard off the water, so sunscreen and polarized sunglasses are not luxuries—they're necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best time of year to fish Lake Borgne?

Spring (March through May) and fall (September through November) are peak seasons when water temperature is moderate and fish are feeding actively across the lake. Summer is possible but requires fishing deeper water and early mornings. Winter is slowest but still productive for drum and catfish.

Do I need a saltwater license to fish Lake Borgne?

Lake Borgne is brackish, so check the current Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regulations. Most of the lake requires a saltwater license, but the exact boundary varies. When in doubt, carry both a freshwater and saltwater license to stay legal.

Can I fish Lake Borgne from shore?

Shore access is limited because much of the lake is surrounded by industrial areas, private property, and marsh. A boat is the practical way to fish here. If you don't own one, charter services operate out of Chalmette and offer half-day and full-day trips.

What size fish can I expect to catch?

Redfish typically run 18 to 28 inches, with larger fish possible. Spotted seatrout average 12 to 18 inches. Black drum can exceed 40 pounds, though 15 to 25 pounds is common. Catfish range from 5 to 30 pounds depending on species and location.

Is Lake Borgne safe for boats with deep drafts?

No. Most of the lake runs 4 to 8 feet deep with soft mud bottom and shallow flats. Boats drawing more than 18 inches will run aground frequently. A shallow-draft skiff or a boat with a trolling motor is ideal. If you have a deeper-draft boat, stick to the marked channels and deeper holes.