From redfish to flounder and from perch to catfish, there is no shortage of incredible fishing along the Northshore in Louisiana. I’m talking about the best fishing spots in Mandeville, Madisonville, Lacombe and Slidell.
The great fishing through the Northshore spreads wide from Lake Saint Catherine to Lake Maurepas as well as Lake Pontchartrain. Many parks in Mandeville are spread all along the Northshore. If you’re traveling through Louisiana and you’re looking for some great fishing, stay tuned because we’ve got the best spots in the whole state.
Trying to Fish from the Shore?
If you’re making a quick pass through the area and you’re looking to hop out of your RV or car and throw the line out, you might want to find a great shore fishing spot. The Northshore is loaded with great access points that are both safe and easy to get to.
Photo: Peter Dieter Jansen
Sunset Point and Fishing Pier
This pier extends over 400 feet onto Lake Pontchartrain with incredible views of the popular Causeway Bridge. As the name suggests, this is also a great place to come at sunset. Watch the beautiful sunset as you get your line wet catching drum, white trout, and croaker.
Sunset Point Pier comes equipped with a canopy, fencing, nighttime lighting, handrails, and they even have a fishing cleaning station so you can shine up your catch.
Photo: Kelly Sikkema
The best part about Sunset Point is that you aren’t limited to the pier. While it’s incredible by itself, there are plenty of rocky shore access points to throw your line out. This place is definitely one of the best parks in Mandeville, LA. Bring the entire family for a picnic or cast your line a few times and move on.
Fontainebleau State Park
This state park brings a lot to the table. Here you’ll find another incredible pier that extends far out into the water. This park is only a short drive from New Orleans, and it boasts seven different ponds and creeks throughout.
Photo: Tracey Merrill
While many people run towards the piers, locals suggest looking a little closer to the shore. All the rock jetties that run perpendicular to the pier bring in some of the best large and smallmouth bass fishing in the state. If you make your way towards Bayou Cane, you might even find some channel catfish and redfish.
The local experts recommend a popping cork with local shrimp if you’re really looking to bring some fresh fish back to the grill.
Photo: Google
Highway 11 Bridge
Let’s get into some really underground local stuff. The highway 11 canal offers plenty of places for you to fish from, and there’s also a place called Trestles Boat Launch. You have your choice of fishing from the shore for redfish and sheepshead, or you could launch a boat and see what Lake Pontchartrain has to offer.
As with much of the fishing in this area, the local experts recommend a popping cork with local shrimp on the end. Some anglers even say they pick up a lot of crabs on hand lines here.
If you’re coming from Mandeville, you’ll head down highway 190 towards Slidell. You’ll then take highway 11 south right along the canal until you reach the lake. Let the butterflies set in as you get closer and closer to some of the best fishing in Louisiana.
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Looking for a Charter?
Anglers are rich and seasoned with experience along the Northshore in Louisiana. During your search for parks in Mandeville, make sure you look into some of the best fishing charters in Mandeville.
Chasing Tail Charters LLC
You’ll find this charter a little bit East of Mandeville in Slidell, Louisiana. These guys provide world-class sport fishing from Captain John Haller. The charter has operated since 2002, and they’re one of the most experienced charters in the Northern Gulf Coast region. Captain John says, “I will personally put you on the fish and fun, guaranteed.”
Wicked Fishing Charters
This charter is right in Mandeville near Sunset Point Park. They specialize in trolling Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Saint Catherine. This licensed fishing charter company scans the local marshes for bull reds, bull sharks, and alligators for a more exotic fishing experience.
The captain, Andy Jones, is a 24-year Coast Guard veteran with plenty of experience fishing these waters. For a truly unique experience fishing along the Northshore, check out Wicked Fishing Charters.
Want to Launch a Boat?
What if you’re pulling a boat behind your RV, truck, or car? You might want to launch your boat into one of the Northshore’s beautiful lakes. If that’s the case, there are more than enough options for you to find one that works.
Many of the parks in Mandeville have boat launches, and nearly all the places we’ve mentioned above will also have a place to launch your boat. Here’s a comprehensive list of some of the other options.
- Madisonville Boat Launch — Clean and plenty of parking
- Mandeville Boat Launch — Convenient and a lot to do in the surrounding area
- Cane Bayou Launch — Free, well maintained, great for crab fishing
- Bayou Lacombe Launch — Free, well taken care of, lots of wildlife
- Pike Boat Ramp — Access to The Rigolets and great views
- Tammany Parish Boat Launch — Free
Photo: Pine Crest
Need Somewhere to Camp or Stay?
During your travels, you might be looking for parks in Mandeville LA and the surrounding areas. Luckily, Good Sam has 11 different RV parks and campgrounds within 25 miles of Mandeville. Not only can you get some of the best fishing in the country, but you can stay in a clean, safe, and family-friendly park right outside your favorite fishing spot.
Located on the northeast shore of Lake Pontchartrain and nestled among the towering pines in Slidell, Pine Crest RV Park of New Orleans is a peaceful waterfront RV park just 30 minutes from New Orleans’ world-famous French Quarter.
Final Thoughts
Our Mandeville RV parks finder and directory, can help you find the perfect spot. There have plenty of great options, so you’re sure to find one that works.
As for the fishing along the Northshore, it’s nothing short of extraordinary. We all know that Louisiana has some of the best fishing in the country, but the weather and climate is so perfect that it almost takes the sport out of fishing.
Either way, if you’re traveling through this part of Louisiana, make sure you check out some of the places outlined above, you won’t be sorry. Laissez les bons temps rouler!