From Middendorf’s legendary thin-fried catfish in Manchac to Herby-K’s famous plates in Shreveport, there’s no arguing that Louisiana’s most popular fried fish is catfish. I can remember catching catfish from the banks of the Tchefuncte River in the ‘80s. And following my family’s “if you keep it, you clean it” rule, catfish led the list of fish that we ate the most.
November offers good opportunity for catfishing from the bank throughout Louisiana. As the summer heat fades, catfish become more active during daylight hours and move into shallower areas within casting distance of the bank. The month also coincides with some of the year’s most stable weather patterns, providing bank anglers with reliable fishing conditions.
For the dedicated bank angler looking to fill the freezer this November, Louisiana offers no shortage of productive catfish waters accessible without a boat.
Tchefuncte River at Madisonville Bridge
When asked about reliable catfish spots on the Northshore, I always point anglers toward a location that never lets me down: the concrete bulkhead on the western side of the Tchefuncte River at the foot of the Madisonville Bridge. If you know where Morton’s Seafood Restaurant sits off Highway 22, you’ve found the spot.
The concrete bulkhead makes this location perfect for bank fishing. No battling high grass or tangled shrubs. Simply park your vehicle and walk right up to the river’s edge.
A drop-shot rig with a ½-ounce bank sinker will keep your bait in the strike zone without getting drug downstream. While any bait will produce fish here, the cooler November water will work in your favor when using live bait. Small live bream stay lively on the hook longer in the cool water, and I’ve consistently found that live bream attract bigger catfish than cut bait or prepared baits.
Route 22 Bait Shop sits within walking distance, giving you the option to pick up live shiners if the bream aren’t cooperating. The convenience of having fresh bait just steps away makes this spot even more appealing for a November catfish outing.
South Toledo Bend State Park
During my sac-a-lait trip to Toledo Bend last November, I discovered a catfish hotspot purely by accident. While driving in South Toledo Bend State Park, I spotted numerous people fishing from the shoreline. Curious about what they were targeting, I stopped to check in on them. A gentleman opened his igloo cooler and showed me a half-full box of blue cats. That’s when I knew this spot deserved a return trip focused specifically on catfish.
South Toledo Bend State Park offers some of the most accessible bank fishing on the entire 185,000-acre reservoir. The park sits on elevated bluffs that extend right into the water, providing natural access to deeper areas where November catfish concentrate.
November’s cooler water temperatures push catfish into the deeper ledges and dropoffs that surround these bluffs. A simple bottom rig with a pyramid sinker works perfectly in this terrain. Focus your casts toward the deeper water off the points where the bluffs drop into the main lake. Live bait rules here in November. The cooler water keeps shiners and small bluegill lively longer, and the park’s boat ramp provides easy access to catch your own bait with a cast net. If live bait isn’t an option, fresh cut shad or chicken livers will produce steady action.
The park’s fish cleaning station makes this spot even more appealing for a successful catfish outing.
Port Manchac boat ramp – Lake Maurepas
While most Southeast Louisiana anglers head to Lake Pontchartrain for their catfish fix, I’ve found a hidden gem that consistently outproduces its more famous neighbor. The Port Manchac boat ramp off Highway 51 provides access to some of the most overlooked catfish water in the state. This concrete ramp area offers bank fishing opportunities on Lake Maurepas.
The boat ramp sits where deeper water meets shallow cypress flats, creating the perfect edge that November catfish use as travel corridors. The concrete ramp extends into water deep enough to fish effectively, while the adjacent banks provide multiple casting angles toward submerged structure. Another great thing about this spot is that the parking is plentiful. You can back your truck right up to the water’s edge for easy unloading.
November catfish in Lake Maurepas behave differently than in other area lakes due to the unique mixture of fresh and brackish water. The cooler temperatures concentrate blue catfish along the deeper edges near the ramp, particularly where the boat channel drops off into the main lake.
The concrete ramp provides a stable platform for fighting larger fish, and the deep water access means you won’t have to worry about landing big blues in shallow water. Plus, being a public boat launch, there are restroom facilities and a fish cleaning station nearby.
Lake Claiborne spillway – Homer
Lake Claiborne’s spillway is located off of Spillway Road and can be accessed via Louisiana Highway 518 along the eastern side of the lake. Lake Claiborne produces some of the most consistent catfish action in North Louisiana, yet it rarely sees the fishing pressure it deserves.
The dam’s discharge keeps water temperatures slightly warmer than the main lake, while the current brings a steady supply of baitfish and crawfish through the system. November’s lower water levels concentrate the action right at the spillway base. The churning water creates oxygen-rich pockets that attract catfish when other parts of the lake become sluggish. I suggest using a heavier weight on the bottom here due to the current. Use a 4-ounce pyramid sinker to hold your bait in position, and don’t be afraid of heavy line. Twenty-pound test is minimum when fishing around concrete structure
Frozen pogies work well here. The oily baitfish creates a scent trail that carries downstream, drawing catfish up from the deeper holes below the spillway. For chicken livers, try an old trick that toughens up the meat: soak them overnight in a pack of red Kool-Aid mixed with water in a small container. The Kool-Aid firms up the livers so they stay on the hook longer in current, while the bright red color and extra scent seem to drive catfish wild.
The spillway area offers excellent vehicle access with a paved road leading right to the fishing spots. Louisiana State Parks maintains Lake Claiborne State Park nearby, which provides restroom facilities and a backup fishing option if the spillway isn’t producing.
Red River Lock 1 – Marksville
Some of the finest catfishing in Central Louisiana can be found at Red River’s Lock 1 near Marksville. Anglers are consistently catching blue cats and flatheads that exceed 40 pounds. This lock system creates the perfect combination of deep water, rocky structure and current breaks that concentrate big cats this month.
The lock structure generates ideal catfish habitat through its concrete wings and deep basin. As water flows through the system, it creates eddies and slack-water areas immediately below the lock where catfish gather to escape the current. The rocky bottom and deep water provide the clean, oxygen-rich environment for big cats, while the structure offers flatheads the cover they need for their ambush-style feeding.
When fishing Lock 5, heavy tackle is best. The combination of big fish, concrete and current demands at least 25-pound test line and circle hooks in the 8/0 range. A Carolina rig with a 4-ounce sinker works well in the current.
Fresh cut skipjack herring is the top bait here. Live bluegill also produce excellent results for targeting flatheads in the structure on the bottom.
The facility provides amenities including trash receptacles, grills, picnic tables, a comfort station and ample parking areas, making this an accessible spot for extended fishing sessions targeting Central Louisiana’s biggest catfish.
These five spots represent just a fraction of Louisiana’s outstanding catfishing options. What makes catfish fishing so appealing is its accessibility. You don’t need expensive equipment or years of experience to put fish in the cooler. As you travel Louisiana’s back roads this November, keep your eyes peeled for any clearing in the brush that leads to water. Pack a rod in your truck, and you never know when you might find a keeper catfish destination.
