The park sits on 900 acres along the eastern shores of Toledo Bend. The lake offers some of the best freshwater fishing to be found anywhere in the country.

Ricky Yelldell is the fisheries biologist who manages Toledo Bend for the LDWF. He said this portion of the lake holds a tremendous population of channel catfish.

"The park is located along San Miguel Cove and is probably the hottest spot to catch catfish on the entire lake," Yelldell confirmed. "The San Miguel is a major cove off the main lake and has several creeks coming together in the area. There are lots of flooded timber, creek channels and shallow flats. This area has it all for prime catfishing habitat.

"Lots of anglers set trotlines for catfish in this area, while others use rods and reels and tight lines with a variety of baits to catch lots of catfish," Yelldell added.

For more information and directions to North Toledo Bend State Park, call toll-free (888) 677-6400.

South Toledo Bend State Park
This state park, obviously located near the southern end of Toledo Bend Reservoir, stands in stark contrast to North Toledo Bend State Park. This southern park is adjacent to bluffs along the main shoreline of what is known as the "Big Pool."

"There is fairly deep water in this area, but there are no creeks next to the park as is the case with the North park," said Yelldell. "Even so, there is some good catfishing to be had in this area.

"Anglers target the hydrilla beds out from the shore and they fish the edges with minnows or stink baits, such as cheese or blood. There's another bait that is used locally and prepared by anglers who fish the area strictly for catfish. They make their own bait by slicing wieners into strips, placing them in a plastic bag and adding red food coloring and oil of anise. They let it soak overnight or until the next fishing trip is planned. From what I hear, the catfish love it and lots are caught with this rather unusual bait," Yelldell explained.

"As is the case on the northern end of the lake, catfish are an underutilized resource and people are missing a good bet by passing them up. This lake is full of catfish just waiting for something to bite."

Jimmie Davis State Park
Located on Caney Creek Reservoir -- more commonly known as Caney Lake -- Jimmie Davis State Park is fairly new, but is already attracting hordes of campers and anglers each year. The lake was named in honor of Louisiana's two-term Governor Jimmie Davis, who grew up near where the park is located.

Five-thousand-acre Caney Lake made its name by giving up the majority of the bass, crappie and redear sunfish listed in the state's Top Ten category for state-record fish. Catfish, however, are just now coming on, according to fisheries expert Mike Wood. "Caney Lake has a growing population of channel catfish and I expect it to continue to grow because the lake has a heavy shad base, the main reason why these other species have grown so hefty," Wood noted.

Located on a peninsula on Caney Lake, Jimmie Davis State Park offers two boat launches and a fishing pier.

For more information on visiting Jimmie Davis State Park and its fishing opportunities, call toll-free (888) 677-2263.