Cameron County, LA · Gulf of Mexico
Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake)
Southwest Louisiana’s famed "Big Lake" — a shallow, oyster-studded estuary widely regarded as one of the best trophy speckled-trout fisheries on the Gulf. Wade and drift anglers chase gator trout and slot redfish over the reefs, with black drum and flounder rounding out the catch. The Cameron jetties at the pass are a year-round draw.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum & Black Drum — tied at the top (23/100)
3 species tied for best of 4 tracked at Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake).
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Today's Tides
| Time | Type | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 12:18 AM | Low | 0.2 ft |
| 9:26 AM | High | 1.9 ft |
Species at Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake)
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 3 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Spotted Seatrout Skip the Spotted Seatrout trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 82°F water — inside spotted seatrout's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — spotted seatrout prefers incoming tide
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Cynoscion nebulosus — Popularly called "speckled trout" or "specks." Summer-fall target in the lower Bay grass beds and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Topwater walkers at dawn and soft plastics on jigheads are standard.
Prefers. Water 60–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–15 ft.
- Min size
- 13"
- Max size
- 20"
- Daily creel
- 15
13–20" slot, 15/person/day (two over-slot allowed).
Source: Louisiana regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Red Drum Skip the Red Drum trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 82°F water — inside red drum's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — red drum prefers incoming tide
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Sciaenops ocellatus — Also called channel bass, redfish, or (as juveniles) puppy drum. Summer and fall target around the lower Bay shoals and the Eastern Shore coastal bays. Big "bull reds" cruise the surf in fall.
Prefers. Water 65–85°F (ideal 75°F) · incoming tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Min size
- 16"
- Daily creel
- 5
16" minimum, 5/person/day; no more than one over 27".
Source: Louisiana regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#1 Black Drum Skip the Black Drum trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 82°F water — inside black drum's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- outgoing tide — black drum prefers incoming tide
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Pogonias cromis — The red drum’s heavier, bottom-grubbing cousin — a deep-bodied sciaenid that roots crabs and shellfish off mud and oyster bottom across the Gulf and South Atlantic. "Puppy drum" in the slot are excellent eating; the giant bull black drum that mass to spawn around passes and jetties in late winter and spring can top 80 lb. A staple of Louisiana and Texas inshore fishing alongside redfish and speckled trout.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · incoming tide · depth 2–40 ft.
- Min size
- 16"
- Max size
- 27"
- Daily creel
- 5
Louisiana: 16–27" slot, 5/person/day; no more than one over 27".
Source: Louisiana regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#4 Summer Flounder Skip the Summer Flounder trip today. In season 7/100
What's helping
- outgoing tide — summer flounder prefers outgoing tide
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- 82°F water — above summer flounder's active range (58–75°f) — fish move deep
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Paralichthys dentatus — Locally called "fluke." Flatfish that ambushes bait off sandy and mixed bottom. Drifting bucktails tipped with Gulp! or live minnows through Ocean City and Chincoteague inlets is the classic method.
Prefers. Water 58–75°F (ideal 65°F) · outgoing tide · depth 10–100 ft.
- Min size
- 12"
- Daily creel
- 10
Southern flounder: 12" minimum, 10/person/day.
Source: Louisiana regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Gulf of Mexico
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Louisiana
Coordinates
Notes
LA: speckled trout 13–20" slot, 15 per day. A renowned big-trout estuary — many guides practice voluntary release of large females.
Local reports & rules for Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake): Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake)?
Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake) is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Spotted Seatrout, Red Drum, Black Drum, Summer Flounder. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake) have?
Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. LA: speckled trout 13–20" slot, 15 per day. A renowned big-trout estuary — many guides practice voluntary release of large females.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake)?
state agency regulations apply at Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake) tidal water?
Yes. Calcasieu Lake (Big Lake) sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.