January is a fickle month for kayak anglers. In a matter of days, the weather can go from below freezing temps to sunny days with highs in the 70’s and on occasion the 80’s. The good news is that developments in technology have improved the accuracy of weather forecasting, and while not 100 percent accurate, it is regularly good enough to plan your fishing days. They can usually get the timing of these fronts down pretty good. For fishing these ever-changing swings, not many places are better than the area of the Rock Dam in Hopedale.
Cold fronts are the name of the game this time of year and knowing when they’ll arrive, how long they will linger and how cold they will be is key to planning your trips and techniques.
The Rock Dam was installed as a travel barrier when the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) ship channel was closed to large vessel traffic following Hurricane Katrina. The massive rock structure completely cuts off east/west boat travel in the channel, but in turn provides some great structure for fishing.
The rock wall that appears above the water’s surface belies the amount of rocks that are underwater and on the bottom of the channel. The dam is pyramid shaped with a large rock pad that spreads far out at the base of the dam. The base tapers as the rocks build up through the surface and form the above-water wall. However, the rocks have many gaps between their irregular size and shape, which allows the tide and even smaller creatures to travel through the dam. Therefore, it is not a stagnant dead end on either side. When the water is moving, you will be able to see it when next to the dam.
Structure and water depths
Varying water depths are also a key element that make the area surrounding the dam so attractive to a variety of fish. In the center, the depth of the channel can reach up to 40 feet. However, at the face of the dam, the pyramid shape has it rising until it meets the surface. Therefore, the bottom rocks extend a couple hundred feet out from the dam.
The MRGO was regularly dredged before closure and has a distinct ledge that falls off sharply heading towards the center where it was dredged the deepest. Also, the top of the ledge tapers up slowly to where it meets the marsh banks of the channel. Shallow flats can be found along the shoreline.
It is this variation in structure and water depths that allow fish to spend the winter in the area with ease of movement between different depths and water temperatures. They do not have to go far to find conditions that suit their needs. When it is really cold, concentrate on the ledge drop-off all the way to the bottom in the center of the channel.
It must be noted that the closer you get to the actual dam, the more rocks, and therefore snags, are prevalent if attempting to fish the bottom. One way around this is to make a drop straight down to get a gauge of the water depth. Then rig up with a sliding cork set to keep the bait a foot or so off the bottom. This keeps you where the fish are holding, but also keeps you from getting constant snags. This strategy also works well fishing just alongside of the ledge drop-off.
Variety of species
All within the same area, you can fish different lures at different depths to help find where the fish are holding. One day they may be on the corner flat in 3 feet of water and the next hugging the rocks at 35 feet.
The other good news for the Rock Dam is the wide variety of species it attracts and holds. Of course, trout and redfish are a regular catch and generally the most sought after. However, black drum, flounder and sheepshead are also all available. With the changing salinities, freshwater cats and largemouth bass are also regularly caught.
Getting to the dam is easy. After launching at Hopedale Marina into Bayou La Loutre, head north (left) until the bayou intersects the MRGO. To get to the dam, turn north (right). You can see the dam at this point. Overall, it is only about a 15-minute paddle/pedal to get to the area. Also, don’t pass by the intersection of Bayou La Loutre and the MRGO. This area gets great tidal movement, holds lots of bait and regularly produces fish without having to go to the actual dam. From there, fish your way to the dam and cover all areas from the shoreline to the middle. Try at varying ranges from the rocks up to, and even parallel to the dam, as space and fishing pressure allows.
Pack your patience
One thing to note about the Rock Dam is that it has become a community hole and it is rare that you are the only one fishing the area. Many boaters hit the dam on their way out, way in, or both. However, it fishes well with heavy traffic and as long as a little water courtesy is used, everybody can successfully fish the area.
While not fully protected from high winds, the dam is fishable by kayak under many different conditions. However, strong wind out of the west blows straight up the channel and usually provides conditions you’d rather not kayak fish in. This is especially true if the wind is bucking an incoming tide. Northerly winds can also present challenging conditions. However, east winds are somewhat knocked down by the dam and south winds are moderated by a heavily tree-lined shoreline.
If you find yourself with unfishable kayak conditions for the dam, the day is not lost. Instead, head south (right) from the marina and take the first left into the spoil canal. This area is much more protected from the wind and you can fish the canal itself or head into the nearby marsh ponds if water levels are sufficient.
There are those places that seem to be just made for kayak fishing. The Rock Dam in Hopedale is definitely one of them.
