During the late winter and early spring, catching enough fish to have a fish fry can be tough — but not if you go after freshwater catfish.
Every year channel cats and blue cats migrate from the Northshore rivers into Lakes Pontchartrain and Borgne. And, with the Bonnet Carre Spillway opening, even more catfish than normal have entered this system this year.
Fishing for them is simple, Capt. Jim Lamarque said.
“Just fish on the bottom in deep water with a drop-shot rig and dead shrimp,” Lamarque said. “Some good areas are the Hospital Wall, L&N Bridge and the Bypass.
“You should be able to catch enough for a fish fry. Last year I caught an 18-pound blue cat.”
But bottom-fishing also could earn you some more fillets.
“You may also catch some drum, sheepshead and redfish to add to the frying pan,” Lamarque said.
