Hunters and Fishermen Don’t Leave Disappointed
deer, fishing, hunting, largemouth bass., mallard ducks, parish, recreation,
Whitetail deer, mallard ducks and largemouth bass.
These are the “Big 3” for avid hunters and fishermen who enjoy pursuing these plentiful preys in Ouachita Parish. The parish is ideally laid out for hunters, thanks to bayous that are abundant with deer, rice fields that are perfect for hunting ducks, and the Ouachita River that seems to provide high yields of fish whenever a fisherman drops anchor there.
“If people hunt for deer and ducks, they usually fish for bass, too, and Northeast Louisiana is excellent for all of those pursuits,” says Kenny Solley, an avid hunter/fisherman and region manager for Entergy, the electric utility provider in Ouachita Parish. “We are fortunate to have the Ouachita River basically running through the middle of the parish, while Bayou D’Arbonne and Black Bayou Lake offer plenty of wildlife diversity as well.”
The Ouachita River, which was once designated as one of the most scenic rivers in America, has a large surplus of white perch, catfish and bream along with all the bass. Not only is the river loaded with fishing opportunities, but so are the many tributaries and secondary lakes that connect with it.
Meanwhile, Bayou D’Arbonne runs into the river from just north of Monroe and West Monroe, and its large bass numbers attract many fishing tournaments.
“Bayou D’Arbonne and its surrounding D’Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge is a destination for outdoorsmen because it not only offers great fishing, but there are a lot of deer and ducks,” Solley says. “There are mallards, pintails, teal and wood ducks that are attracted to the bayou because it is situated near the Mississippi Flyway. As the ducks leave Canada and head south, they follow the Mississippi River and eventually reach D’Arbonne. A lot of geese come through here, too.”
Deer can be hunted several ways in Ouachita Parish, including with bow and arrows, guns and muzzleloaders. Wild turkey hunting is also gaining popularity in the parish.
“Everyone around here knows that fishing is huge and that duck hunting and whitetail deer are big in this parish, but other game is prevalent as well,” says Capt. Bob Thompson, Louisiana State Police special officer for the Division of Levee District Police. “Also, there are squirrels and rabbits along with dove. Ouachita Parish is one of the best places I’ve ever seen for wildlife.”
Thompson says that his job with the Louisiana State Police takes him on expeditions along Bayou D’Arbonne, Black Bayou Lake and the Ouachita River, and he is often amazed at the fish caught and the wildlife bagged.
“I come across many fishermen and see a lot of incredible fish limits that these people catch,” he says. “As for deer and duck hunting, I have seen many hunters’ successes from Ouachita Parish.”
Story by Kevin Litwin
Photo by Todd Bennett
