PEARL RIVER
To the east, the Pearl River forms the Louisiana-Mississippi boundary near Slidell. The main river splits into five rivers, creating Honey Island Swamp. West Pearl carries the major flow, but West Middle, Middle and East Middle Pearl rivers branch out like arteries in a fishy maze of cypress-lined sloughs, lily pads and marshes.
Toss chartreuse or black and yellow spinnerbaits or crawfish-colored crankbaits into the mouths of creek drains or work black and blue plastic worms around fallen logs. Most of your catch will fall into the 1- to 3-pound range, but anglers can catch 7-pounders.
Several public launches enter West Pearl in Slidell. Launches along U.S. 90 enter the West and East Pearls. For information, call the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries office at the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area at (985) 646-6440.
Several public launches enter West Pearl in Slidell. Launches along U.S. 90 enter the West and East Pearls. For information, call the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries office at the Pearl River Wildlife Management Area at (985) 646-6440.
SABINE RIVER
On the other end of the state, the Sabine River forms the boundary with Texas. South of Interstate 10 at Vinton, it spreads out through freshwater, brackish and, finally, salt marshes. Numerous sloughs, feeder streams, bayous, canals and tiny tributaries flow into the main channels.
Craw worms attract numerous Kentucky/spotted bass and smaller largemouths in the upper Sabine. Some Kentucky bass break the 3-pound mark. Fish near logjams, cypress stumps, lily thickets, standing trees and other structure. Flip a worm or jig next to structure and slowly bounce it along the bottom over the dropoffs. Hot colors include red shad, tequila sunrise, junebug, black and blue or watermelon red