Louisiana State University

College Ambassador: Jaselyn Berthelot

Species

Bass: The most targeted species of a freshwater angler. These can be found in almost any freshwater area around campus. 

Redfish: This species can be found around LSU all year round and is a fun catch to experience 

Speckled Trout: These are the best fish to catch in numbers. They travel in schools so if you catch one, you can most likely find another

Pelagics: If you’re willing to take the trip Tuna and other pelagics are right off the coast of Venice and once you experience a fight with the offshore fish you’ll be hooked

Locations

Stephenville: Located about an hour and a half south of the LSU campus it is the midpoint for most local and circuit tournaments. It allows the ability to ride north to Lake Verret or South to the marsh which is called Bayou Black. It's perfect for avid bass fishermen and any freshwater species

Segnette: Also located an hour and a half away from campus, this location is the one-stop shop for bass, reds, and specs. This bayou is brackish water, so it allows these three species to live all in one place. Definitely worth the drive to check a few species off your list. 

Venice: Although this is a few-hour drive from the LSU campus, I wouldn’t be able to write this without including one of the best saltwater fisheries in the Gulf. You can catch anything from a red snapper or grouper to a blue marlin and swordfish with a 2–3-hour boat ride. This is the Tuna capital of the gulf with sizes ranging from 10 lb blackfin all the way to 200+ lb yellowfin.

Community

The community of fishermen isn’t as strong as the baseball and football crowds around LSU, but there certainly is a niche for it. Mostly freshwater anglers with a few summertime saltwater anglers around. I attend LSU and offshore tournament fish and participate in The Sportfishing Championship, but there aren’t many people who do much more than snapper and tuna fishing at LSU. There is a bass fishing team at LSU that participates in many collegiate tournaments around the country

Shops

Superior Bait and tackle: This is a one-stop-shop for anything you need for both salt and freshwater fishing. It is located on Siegen Lane which is only a 15–20-minute drive without traffic.

Spillway Sportsman: located almost directly across the river from the LSU campus, this place is the perfect local shop to get your quick-stop freshwater needs. With some of the best breakfast sandwiches for those early mornings, and a wide variety of hunting gear as well. Visit Spillway on your way down south to Venice or Stephenville