What Delacroix offers and who should fish there

Delacroix is a small fishing village at the southeastern tip of Louisiana, about 40 miles east of New Orleans. The settlement sits on the edge of Breton Sound, where the Mississippi River's influence meets open Gulf water. You fish here for redfish, speckled trout, and flounder in shallow bays and marsh channels, not for offshore species — the water rarely exceeds 8 feet deep within easy reach of the docks.

Delacroix works best for anglers comfortable in small boats or willing to hire a guide. The village has no resort infrastructure, no tackle shops, and no restaurants. What it has is direct access to productive shallow water and a working fishing community where you can rent a boat, buy ice, and get current information about where fish are moving. If you want solitude, shallow-water hunting, and the chance to sight-cast to redfish, Delacroix delivers. If you need amenities, you'll drive 45 minutes back to New Orleans or settle for basics.

Key Takeaways

  • Delacroix is a working fishing village with boat rentals and guide services but no hotels, restaurants, or tackle shops — plan to day-trip from New Orleans or bring supplies.
  • The best fishing runs from March through October, with redfish and speckled trout most reliable in spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate.
  • You will need a Louisiana saltwater fishing license and must follow state bag limits: redfish have a 3-fish daily limit, and speckled trout a 25-fish limit.
  • Shallow-draft boats (18 to 22 feet) work best; rental boats are available but book ahead during peak season, and hiring a guide removes the navigation guesswork in unfamiliar marsh.
  • Delacroix sits in an active shipping channel and hurricane zone — check weather before you go and understand that the village floods during major storms.

Seasons and what fish are active when

Spring (March to May) is the strongest season. Water temperatures climb from the 50s into the 60s and 70s, and redfish move shallow into the marsh to spawn. Speckled trout follow baitfish into the bays. Sight-casting to tailing redfish in 2 to 4 feet of water is possible on calm mornings, and live mullet or shrimp under a popping cork will draw strikes from trout in slightly deeper channels.

Summer (June to August) is hot and slow. Water temperatures exceed 85 degrees, and fish move into deeper channels and the mouths of passes where current brings cooler water. Redfish become nocturnal. Early morning and late evening trips are more productive than midday, and you may spend long stretches without a strike. Many guides take the summer off or fish only at dawn.

Fall (September to November) is the second-best season. Water cools, baitfish concentrate, and both redfish and trout feed aggressively. September can still be hot and slow, but by October the fishing picks up sharply. November remains good until cold fronts push water temperatures below 55 degrees, at which point fish become lethargic and harder to locate.

Winter (December to February) is unpredictable. Cold fronts can shut down fishing for days, but between fronts you can catch fish in deeper channels and around structure. Water temperatures in the 50s slow metabolism, so fish bite less frequently but sometimes larger. Many recreational anglers skip winter and return in spring.

How to get there and where to stay

Delacroix is 40 to 45 minutes from downtown New Orleans. Take Interstate 10 east toward Slidell, then follow Louisiana Highway 90 east through Chalmette and into St. Bernard Parish. Continue on Highway 90 as it becomes a two-lane road through marsh. The road ends at the Delacroix docks. There is no fuel station or convenience store at the end — fill your tank and buy supplies in Chalmette or Slidell before you drive out.

The village has no hotels. Your options are to day-trip from New Orleans (hotels in the French Quarter, Metairie, or Slidell), rent a vacation home in the area through a private listing, or book a fishing lodge package that includes lodging and a guide. Some guides operate out of small camps that rent rooms to clients who book multi-day trips. Call ahead to confirm availability and pricing.

If you day-trip, plan to leave New Orleans by 5 or 6 a.m. to be on the water by sunrise. The drive is straightforward but slow on the final 15 miles of Highway 90. Bring a full cooler, snacks, and water — there is nowhere to buy food once you leave Chalmette.

Boat rentals, guides, and what they cost

Several operators rent shallow-draft boats (typically 18 to 22 feet) by the day. Rental rates vary but typically run $300 to $500 per day, plus fuel. You will need a valid driver's license and some boating experience — rental operators expect you to handle the boat yourself. Boats are usually equipped with a console, basic electronics, and a poling platform. Confirm what is included (cooler, life jackets, basic tackle) before you book.

Hiring a guide removes the navigation burden and puts you on fish. Guides charge $400 to $600 per day for two anglers, plus fuel surcharge. A guide knows the current conditions, the tides, and where redfish and trout are holding. They will pole you into shallow water, spot fish, and coach you through the cast. Most guides fish 6 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m., then again from 4 p.m. to dark. Book guides at least two weeks ahead during spring and fall.

Contact the Delacroix Marina or search for "Delacroix fishing guides" to find current operators. Prices and availability change seasonally, and some guides take time off in summer or after hurricane season. Confirm cancellation policy and what is provided (tackle, lunch, beverages) before you commit.

Regulations, licenses, and bag limits

You must have a Louisiana saltwater fishing license to fish in Breton Sound. Non-residents can buy a 3-day license, a 7-day license, or an annual license through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website or at tackle shops in New Orleans before you drive to Delacroix. Prices vary by license type; check the LDWF website for current rates.

Redfish have a 3-fish daily bag limit, and all redfish must be between 18 and 27 inches (slot limit). Speckled trout have a 25-fish daily limit with no size restriction, though most anglers release smaller fish. Flounder have a 10-fish daily limit and must be at least 12 inches. Possession limits are the same as daily limits — you cannot keep more than one day's catch.

Catch-and-release is common and encouraged. Many anglers fish for the experience and release most of what they catch. If you plan to keep fish for dinner, bring a cooler with ice and plan to clean them before you leave the dock or at your lodging.

Tackle, bait, and what works

Bring medium-weight spinning rods (6 to 7 feet) spooled with 15- to 20-pound braided line. Redfish and trout are not leader-shy in Delacroix's stained water, so 20- to 30-pound monofilament leader is fine. Pack a variety of lures: topwater plugs (Skitter Walk, Rapala), soft plastics (4- to 6-inch paddle-tail shads in natural colors), and spoons (1/4 to 1/2 ounce). Bring polarized sunglasses — spotting fish in shallow water depends on them.

Live bait is effective and often more productive than lures. Live mullet (4 to 6 inches) and live shrimp work for both redfish and trout. Most rental boats and guides provide live bait or know where to get it. If you bring your own, keep it in a baitwell with fresh water or a livewell aerator. Dead shrimp and mullet also work, especially under a popping cork in channels where you cannot see the bottom.

Topwater fishing at dawn and dusk is exciting and often productive. Redfish and trout will chase a popper or walk-the-dog plug across the surface. Work the lure slowly and pause between casts — the strike often comes on the pause. In midday heat, switch to deeper presentations: soft plastics on a jig head or live bait under a cork in 4 to 6 feet of water.

Weather, hazards, and when not to go

Delacroix sits in an active shipping channel and hurricane zone. Before you fish, check the National Weather Service forecast and marine conditions. Sudden weather changes are common — a calm morning can turn rough by midday. Shallow water can become dangerous in wind; 15-knot winds can build 2- to 3-foot chop in open bays.

The village floods during major hurricanes and tropical storms. If a storm is forecast, do not go. The road to Delacroix can wash out, and the docks and rental facilities may be damaged. After a major storm, call ahead to confirm the marina is open and boats are available.

Mosquitoes are heavy in summer and fall. Bring insect repellent and wear long sleeves at dawn and dusk. The marsh is home to alligators and water moccasins — stay in the boat and do not wade in unfamiliar areas. Sunburn is a real risk on the water; wear sunscreen and a hat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a guide, or can I rent a boat and fish on my own?

You can rent a boat and fish alone if you have boating experience and a GPS or chart. Delacroix's marsh is a maze of channels that look identical, and it is easy to get lost. A guide is worth the cost if you are unfamiliar with the area or want to maximize your chances of finding fish. If you rent a boat, download a map of the area and bring a working GPS.

What is the best time to fish Delacroix?

March through May and September through November are the most productive. Spring offers sight-casting to spawning redfish; fall offers aggressive feeding and cooler weather. Summer is slow and hot. Winter is unpredictable but possible between cold fronts.

Can I keep fish to eat, or is it catch-and-release only?

You can keep fish within the legal bag limits. Redfish and speckled trout are good eating. Bring a cooler with ice, clean your catch at the dock or your lodging, and follow all state regulations on size and number.

How far is Delacroix from New Orleans, and can I day-trip?

Delacroix is 40 to 45 minutes from downtown New Orleans. Day-tripping is common — leave early (5 to 6 a.m.), fish until early afternoon, and return by evening. Bring all supplies with you; there are no shops at the village.

What should I do if the weather turns bad while I am on the water?

Head back to the dock immediately. Shallow water can become rough quickly, and the marsh offers no shelter. If you are with a guide, they will make the call. If you are alone, do not take chances — a safe return is better than a few more casts.