Lake Charles Fishing Calendar: What Bites Each Month on Calcasieu Lake
Twelve Months of Fishing on Big Lake
Calcasieu Lake doesn't have an off-season. Every month brings a different combination of target species, techniques, and conditions that keep the fishery productive year-round. From January's trophy trout to August's redfish on the flats to November's mixed-bag bonanza, Big Lake delivers. This month-by-month breakdown helps you plan your trip around the species and conditions that match your goals.
Monthly Fishing Calendar
| Month | Top Species | Water Temp (°F) | Best Areas | Key Technique |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Trophy Trout, Redfish | 48–55 | Deep reefs, ship channel | Slow-retrieve soft plastic, live mullet |
| February | Trophy Trout, Sheepshead | 50–58 | Turner's Bay, deep holes | Jig on bottom, fiddler crab for sheepshead |
| March | Trout (transitioning), Redfish | 58–65 | Reefs, grass flat edges | Popping cork, gold spoon for reds |
| April | Redfish, Trout, Flounder | 65–72 | Marsh edges, Turner's Bay | Topwater at dawn, live shrimp |
| May | Redfish, Trout, Black Drum | 72–78 | Oyster reefs, grass flats | Soft plastic, live croaker |
| June | Redfish, Trout (early bite) | 80–85 | Dawn/dusk flats, deep channels midday | Topwater dawn, Carolina rig midday |
| July | Redfish, Flounder | 84–88 | Marsh shade, sandy passes | Live shrimp, finger mullet for flounder |
| August | Redfish, Bull Reds (pass) | 85–89 | Calcasieu Pass, marsh flats at dawn | Cut mullet for bulls, topwater for slots |
| September | Redfish (schooling), Trout return | 82–86 | Open lake, reef edges | Gold spoon, soft plastic |
| October | Trout, Redfish, Flounder | 72–78 | Every habitat type | Everything works—prime month |
| November | Trout (sizing up), Redfish | 62–70 | Reefs, bayou mouths, West Cove | MirrOlure, popping cork |
| December | Trophy Trout, Sheepshead | 52–62 | Deep structure, pilings | Slow jig, fiddler crab |
October is the month I tell everyone to visit Calcasieu. The water's cooling, the bait is everywhere, and every species in the lake is feeding. You can catch a limit of trout on the morning reefs, then pole the marsh for tailing reds in the afternoon. It's the one month where everything comes together.
Winter Strategy (December–February)
Winter is trophy season. Speckled Trout on Calcasieu Lake concentrate on the deeper oyster reefs and channel edges as water temperatures drop below 60°F. The biggest trout of the year—fish over 5 pounds—are caught during this window. Fish slow and fish deep. Large soft plastics (5-inch) on 3/8 oz jig heads dragged across the reef tops produce trophy-caliber fish. Post-frontal days with sunshine are the most reliable bite windows.
Spring Transition (March–May)
As water warms past 65°F, trout spread from their winter concentration areas across the reefs and grass flats. Redfish become the primary target on the shallow marsh edges where they tail and cruise in warming water. April and May offer the best mixed-bag fishing—trout, reds, and flounder are all available in the same areas.
Summer Heat (June–August)
High water temperatures push the best fishing to the first and last hours of daylight. Topwater action at dawn for Redfish near Lake Charles on the grass flats is the summer highlight. Bull redfish staging in Calcasieu Pass during August provide heavy-tackle opportunities for fish over 30 pounds. Midday fishing is slow—use the heat for boat maintenance, tackle rigging, or exploring the Lake Charles food scene.
Fall Prime Time (September–November)
Falling temperatures reignite the bite across all species. Schooling redfish on the open lake flats provide sight-casting opportunities. Speckled trout return to the reefs in October and size up rapidly through November. Flounder stage along the sandy channel edges during their fall migration. November is the month where skilled anglers complete the Louisiana inshore slam (trout, redfish, flounder) in a single trip.
Full regulations at LDWF.