Pointe-aux-Chenes Wildlife Management Area consists of 33,488 acres of mostly marsh. It is located 15 miles south of Houma, off of Highway 665. Most of the access to the area is by boat, but there are a few limited roads. Interspersed throughout the WMA are numerous ponds, canals and bayous. The Grand Bayou, Montegut and Pointe-aux-Chenes water management units allow access to only 25hp motors or less. Water is fresh/brackish to the north, with mostly saltwater to the south.
Wharfs
There are some very well constructed wharfs spaced out over the entire area. Most of them are only accessible by boat. Those are great to catch redfish, crabs and throw the cast net from.
There is a lot of competition when crabbing and cast netting. Definitely a case of the early bird gets the worm. But it is important to remember that no one is allowed on the WMA before daybreak.
Cast netting
Catching bait with a cast net is almost too easy. On my last trip, my first throw resulted in a couple hundred small croakers. They are great redfish bait and could save you a nice sum at the bait shop.
For me, the real prize is catching huge shrimp. Last September, I caught some of my all-time biggest shrimp. A local told me they were even bigger in October. While that is prime bow hunting season for me, I plan to break away for a trip or two to try my luck for those big boys. The limit is 25 pounds per boat.
Crabbing
Crabbing limits are generous. Twelve dozen crabs per boat. A popular choice is to catch crabs using a drop line and a piece of chicken. However, I have seen guys loading up using double-rimmed nets fished right down the middle of a bayou. Both methods are productive. Alternative bait choices are turkey necks and fish. A long-handle net when fishing with a drop line makes the process much more efficient.
Hunting
Available game species at Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA include waterfowl, deer, rabbits, squirrels, rails, gallinules and snipe. There is also an annual youth deer lottery hunt on the WMA.
Alligator hunting is managed through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Lottery Alligator Harvest Program. Applications are available beginning in May for Louisiana residents 16 years of age and older.
Conclusion
If you want to escape the crowds when hunting or fishing on public land, you must be willing to put in the time and effort to find those areas. I look forward to additional exploration trips in my continuing education of the Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA. See you out there!
