Lake Pontchartrain

Lake Pontchartrain is the largest Lake in Louisiana located in the south eastern part of the state on the north edge of New Orleans. It is approximately 402,400 acres [628 square miles] in size and is 24 miles wide by 41 miles long. It is a lake with no obstructions and is available for recreational boating including sailing and available for fishing. The Gulf of Mexico is easily accessible from this Lake.

It's safe to say that this place is a favorite of most locals. The expanse of levees and grass that hugs Lake Pontchartrain for about six miles from West End past the University of New Orleans is especially packed on weekends and holidays.

More a tidal lagoon than a lake, it is brackish and teems with game fish. It is connected through Lake Borgne with the Gulf of Mexico and by canal with the Mississippi River. It is spanned by the Pontchartrain Causeway, two parallel road bridges which cross the lake north of New Orleans and, at nearly 24 mi (39 km) in length, are the longest overwater bridges in the world.

According to Mr. Gilbert, "all sorts of saltwater fish are caught–flounder, reds, drum, trout, croakers and sheepshead," but added, "most are sheepshead and speckled trout."

Levees and grass, Trestles, pilings,

This area is visited mostly for its trout fishing from spring through fall and are successfully taken by a variety of methods.

"It all depends on the water ," Mr. Gilbert stated. "When the water is hot in the summer months, the fish are near the surface, not on the bottom." Most fishermen like to use a sliding cork to locate fish during the hotter seasons. This method allows the bait to be fished from near surface to bottom and allows for trouble-free casts. The average depth near mid vicinity of the Trestles is 10 to 15 feet. Live shrimp is the favorite bait, and they are readily available at either marina from late May through late October.

Some fishermen prefer trolling along the trestles with the use of lead core line (18-27 lb.) and MirrOlures (52 series) or Queen and King Bingos, according to Mr. Gilbert. Trolling is very effective if you want to offer the bait near the bottom when the speckled trout are deep. A three foot 15-20 lb. mono leader attached with a swivel to the lead line and a small snap swivel to the leader end will allow quick change out of lures. But, there's a bit more to it than just getting lead core line and a few lures and trolling them through the water. The main thing is the how-to.

The trick is to keeping the lure near the bottom without losing it. Basically, the length of the line and boat speed is what determines trolling depth. Actually, it is not as complicated as it might seem. However, it may cost you a lure or two at first, but once you get the hang of it, you're set.