Louisiana Sportsman

Summer on the Ouachita River

July 25, 2025 John Brown

Summer months fishing the Ouachita River can often be hit or miss, depending on a wide variety of conditions.[…]

Kade Thomas of West Monroe shows how productive Ouachita River catfishing can be this time of the year.

Ouachita River catfish offer anglers a good summer alternative

September 5, 2023 Kinny Haddox

Ouachita River catfish offer anglers like Josh and Kade Thomas a good summer alternative to chasing bass and crappie.[…]

Matty Wong with two chunky Ouachita River bass that helped him win a BASS Nation tournament.

Cover plenty of water for Ouachita River bass

December 16, 2021 Kinny Haddox

According to bass pro Matty Wong, squarebill crankbaits will take center stage on Ouachita River in December.[…]

The Ouachita River will host the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship Nov. 3-5, 2021.

B.A.S.S. Nation Championship returns to Ouachita River in 2021

April 26, 2021 Will Martin

Louisiana’s Ouachita River will once again be the host of the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on November 3-5, 2021.[…]

Late summer hasn’t slowed down the spunky Ouachita River crappie, as these two 1.90-pound slabs held by Jason Thomas show.

Ouachita River’s great crappie bite continues in September

September 5, 2020 Kinny Haddox

The Ouachita River has become one of the go-to crappie holes in north Louisiana. Here are two things that are key for river fishing in September.[…]

Ouachita River crappie take no summer vacation

July 9, 2020 Kinny Haddox

Stable water spurs good summer bite for crappie on Ouachita River. And that’s something to which crappie fisherman Jimmy Watt of Bastrop looks forward.[…]

Bass season open in Ouachita River’s backwaters

February 28, 2020 Kinny Haddox

Fishing the backwaters of the Ouachita River is anything but normal in March. The river floods out of its banks, creating a mecca of bassing opportunities.[…]

Late summer slabs like this are great for fun and filets, but also helped Matthews and Elrod claim some cash in the recent ACT crappie tournament on the river.

Hot crappie, hot action on the Ouachita River

September 17, 2019 Kinny Haddox

The hot weather has led to some hot crappie fishing on the Ouachita River. Patrick Matthews and Tim Elrod fish the river almost every day this time of year.[…]

Ouachita on the fall, crappie on the rise

July 31, 2019 Kinny Haddox

It’s taken a bit longer this year for the Ouachita River system to get right, but it’s getting there now. And the crappie bite is right behind.[…]

The Student Division lets young anglers get in on the action against their peers.

River flooding causes changes in McDonald Big Bass tourney

May 28, 2019 Kinny Haddox

Prolonged flooding in Louisiana has the June 8-9 Ronald McDonald Annual Big Bass Classic on the Ouachita River making some major last minute changes.[…]