Louisiana · Southeast Louisiana
FLOUNDER FISHING
IN VENICE
Venice is an excellent destination for flounder fishing, with peak season in October, November and good catches in March, April, May. Book a charter and target flounder with local experts.
About Flounder Fishing in Venice
A prized flatfish found along sandy bottoms and structure. Excellent table fare and fun to catch on light tackle.
Flounder are unique flatfish that lie camouflaged on sandy or muddy bottoms, ambushing prey from below. Gulf flounder and Southern flounder are the primary species in southern waters, while Summer Flounder (fluke) dominates from the Carolinas northward. Both eyes migrate to the top (left) side as juveniles, creating their distinctive flat profile. The "eyed" side is brown-green with irregular spots and blotches that change to match the surrounding bottom — a remarkable camouflage ability.
Scientific name: Paralichthys albiguttata
Flounder Seasonal Calendar — Venice
Month-by-month availability for flounder in Venice, LA.
How to Catch Flounder in Venice
Techniques & Bait
Drifting live bull minnows (finger mullet or mud minnows) on a Carolina rig or knocker rig along sandy channel edges and drop-offs is the most productive method. Bounce a 1/4-3/8 oz jighead with a live minnow or Gulp! swimming mullet along the bottom near structure transitions (sand to mud, channel edges). "Flounder gigging" at night with underwater lights is popular in shallow bays. In passes and inlets, fishing the outgoing tide with live bait near the bottom produces the largest fish.
Recommended Tackle
Medium-light spinning rod (7 ft), 2500 reel, 10-15 lb braid, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader, 1/4-1/2 oz jig heads or Carolina rig with 1/0-3/0 wide-gap hooks. Patience is key — flounder often mouth the bait before committing, so wait for the second thump before setting the hook.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Venice
Top spots where local captains target flounder and other inshore species.
Mississippi River Delta Marsh
The vast marsh system surrounding Venice at the mouth of the Mississippi River is one of the most productive estuarine fisheries in the world. Redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and black drum patrol miles of marsh ponds, bayous, and grass-lined shorelines. The nutrient-rich river outflow supports an extraordinary food chain that keeps fish populations thriving year-round.
Baptiste Collette Bayou
Baptiste Collette Bayou is a major distributary of the Mississippi River, creating a vast wetland system east of Venice teeming with redfish and speckled trout. The bayou's network of channels, ponds, and marsh islands provides seemingly endless inshore fishing opportunities. Bull redfish exceeding 30 pounds are common in the bayou's deeper passes during fall.
Venice Marina Canal System
The canal system around Venice Marina connects to the surrounding marsh and river passes, holding redfish, sheepshead, drum, and flounder within minutes of the dock. These easily accessible canals produce consistent inshore catches for anglers staying at Venice lodges. The canals are particularly productive during winter when fish concentrate in the deeper, warmer water.
South Pass
South Pass is one of the main outlets of the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico, creating powerful currents that attract redfish, tarpon, jack crevalle, and cobia. The pass's rock jetties and channel edges hold massive bull redfish year-round, with fish routinely exceeding 40 pounds. Fishing the eddies and current seams along the pass produces explosive topwater action.
Other Species in Venice
More fish you can target while visiting Venice.
Flounder Fishing in Venice — FAQ
The peak months for Flounder fishing in Venice are October, November. During these months, Flounder are most active and abundant in the Venice area.
Flounder fishing charters in Venice are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Drifting live bull minnows (finger mullet or mud minnows) on a Carolina rig or knocker rig along sandy channel edges and drop-offs is the most productive method. Bounce a 1/4-3/8 oz jighead with a live minnow or Gulp! swimming mullet along the bottom near structure transitions (sand to mud, channel edges). "Flounder gigging" at night with underwater lights is popular in shallow bays. In passes and inlets, fishing the outgoing tide with live bait near the bottom produces the largest fish.
No — when you book a charter in Venice, your captain provides all required Louisiana fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Flounder regulations in Louisiana include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Flounder in Venice, you may also catch Redfish, Speckled Trout, Yellowfin Tuna, Sheepshead, Black Drum. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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