Louisiana City Named Top 10 Winter Fishing Spot

December 8, 2025

Site Staff,

10 Best Winter Fishing Spots - FishingBooker

Photo from FishingBooker

NORFOLK, Va (press release) – FishingBooker, a global platform for booking fishing trips, ranked the best winter fishing destinations for 2026.

Winter may bring cooler weather, but for anglers, it also opens the door to rewarding fishing opportunities.

For the sixth year in a row, FishingBooker released the “10 Best Winter Fishing Destinations,” highlighting places based on its knowledge of where anglers go and the destinations that deliver year after year.

This year, a Louisiana city made the list. Can you guess which one?

First, FishingBooker determined the ranking by the following criteria:

Species diversity and winter catch trends
Angler booking patterns
Regional accessibility and infrastructure
Input from local guides and captains
Broader tourism momentum

Offering anglers a unique mix of Cajun culture, slow-moving bayous and rich marshland fisheries, Lafayette earned its place among the best winter fishing destinations.

Why is Lafayette on the list?

Located in the heart of Cajun Country, Lafayette isn’t directly on the coast, but that’s exactly what makes it special, according to FishingBooker.

“Lafayette offers one of the most unique winter fishing experiences in the country. Its slow-moving bayous and rich marshlands hold redfish, speckled trout and other inshore favorites all season long,” said FishingBooker CEO Vukan Simic. “Winter keeps fishing pressure low, which means anglers often enjoy quieter water and more consistent action.”

According to FishingBooker, freshwater spots also remain productive during winter, offering species like crappie, perch, bass and catfish. Additionally, guided trips often explore lesser-known areas, giving anglers an authentic Louisiana fishing experience.

Beyond the fishing, FishingBooker recognizes that Lafayette comes alive in winter through music, food and southern hospitality. Visitors can enjoy gumbo, crawfish étouffée, live Zydeco performances and swamp tours, all of which give the city its distinctive cultural heartbeat.

“What really sets Lafayette apart is how seamlessly fishing blends with Cajun culture. Anglers can spend the morning chasing redfish and the afternoon enjoying gumbo, live Zydeco and some of the most welcoming hospitality in the South,” said Simic. “It’s a destination that delivers both on and off the water.”

The full list of the 10 Best Winter Fishing Destinations for 2026 is: