Slidell's Rigolets: Redfish Paradise East of New Orleans
The Tidal Highway Between Two Lakes
The Rigolets is a narrow, mile-long tidal pass connecting Lake Pontchartrain to Lake Borgne on the eastern outskirts of the New Orleans metro area, just south of Slidell. This natural bottleneck forces enormous volumes of water—and the baitfish, shrimp, and crabs riding that water—through a confined channel on every tide change. The result is one of the most productive year-round fishing spots in southeast Louisiana, holding redfish, speckled trout, flounder, sheepshead, and drum in numbers that would be exceptional anywhere on the Gulf Coast.
Why the Rigolets Produces
Tidal passes concentrate marine life the same way a funnel concentrates liquid—everything gets forced through a narrow space. The Rigolets channel averages 15–20 feet deep and roughly 200 yards wide, with rock riprap lining both shorelines and the old Highway 90 bridge pilings providing additional structure. Baitfish, crabs, and shrimp carried by the current attract Redfish in Slidell that set up in the current breaks behind structure and along the channel edges to ambush prey.
Species by Season
| Species | Best Months | Technique | Where in the Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redfish | Year-round (peaks Sep–Nov) | Live shrimp, soft plastic, cut crab | Riprap edges, bridge pilings |
| Speckled Trout | Oct–Mar | Live shrimp under cork, MirrOlure | Deeper channel, bridge pilings |
| Flounder | Mar–Nov (peaks Oct–Nov) | Bull minnow on jig, Gulp | Sandy pockets along riprap |
| Sheepshead | Dec–Apr | Fiddler crabs, live shrimp | Bridge pilings, rocks |
| Black Drum | Jan–Apr | Cut crab, shrimp on bottom | Channel bottom, pilings |
The Rigolets on a falling tide is a redfish assembly line. The water drains from Lake Pontchartrain carrying every shrimp and crab in its path, and the reds line up along the riprap like customers at a buffet. I've caught 30 reds in a session from the same 50-yard stretch of rock.
Fishing the Riprap
The rock riprap lining both sides of the Rigolets provides the primary fishing structure. Cast parallel to the rocks, keeping your bait or lure within 3 feet of the edge where reds cruise and ambush. On outgoing tides, fish the Lake Borgne side where water exits the pass. On incoming tides, switch to the Lake Pontchartrain side. Live shrimp on a 1/4 oz jig head bumped along the rocks is the most consistently productive approach.
Bridge Pilings
The old Highway 90 bridge remnants and the current I-10 twin span pilings create structure that holds fish independent of tide direction. Speckled Trout near Slidell stack up behind the pilings in the current break, and vertical jigging with soft plastics or dropping live shrimp to the bottom catches trout and sheepshead in the same drift. The deeper water around the bridges (20+ feet) holds fish even during extreme low-water events.
Bank Fishing Access
The Rigolets is one of the few premier Louisiana fishing spots accessible from shore. The riprap along both sides of the pass can be walked and fished with spinning or casting tackle. Parking areas near the bridge provide access. Shore anglers consistently catch Sheepshead around Slidell from the rocks during winter and spring. Bring sturdy shoes for walking the uneven riprap and a long-handled net for landing fish from the rocks.
Beyond the Pass
- Lake Borgne's northern shoreline east of the Rigolets holds redfish and trout along the marsh edges
- The Chef Menteur Pass (west of the Rigolets) offers similar pass-fishing opportunities with less traffic
- Slidell has multiple boat launches, bait shops, and tackle stores along Highway 190
- The Fremaux Town Center area has restaurants and lodging for visiting anglers
License requirements and regulations at Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries.