Tchefuncte River Fishing Guides
A tannin-stained north shore river running from sandy upland water at Folsom down to cypress and tidewater at Madisonville.
Guides on the Tchefuncte River
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About the Tchefuncte River
The Tchefuncte changes character more completely along its length than almost any river its size. At Folsom, where the gauge sits, it is a modest upland stream running over sand and gravel with clear tannin-stained water and steep clay banks. By Covington it has widened and slowed. By Madisonville it is a tidal cypress-lined river with sailboats on it, running into Lake Pontchartrain. An angler needs to decide which of those three rivers they are fishing before choosing tackle.
The upper reach around Folsom is small-water fishing – spotted bass and sunfish against the root wads, the undercut banks and the deeper bends, best approached by kayak or by wading at low water. The middle river through Covington holds largemouth, good bluegill and redear, and channel catfish in the holes. The lower tidal reach is a different fishery again, with largemouth in the cypress, crappie in the deeper bends and blue catfish working the channel.
The setting on the north shore is genuinely attractive. Bottomland hardwood and cypress line much of the corridor, the Tammany Trace and several parish parks touch the river, and Fairview-Riverside State Park sits on the lower reach near Madisonville with camping and river access. It is an easy river to fish casually and a rewarding one to fish properly.
Anglers should note that the gauge at Folsom reads the upper river, not the tidal water most visitors think of, and that the two behave completely differently – the upper river rises and falls with rainfall while the lower reach moves with the lake and the wind. Check the gauge for the upper float and the wind forecast for the lower one. The river browns up quickly after a north shore storm and clears within a couple of days.
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Access
Folsom - the gauge reach and access to the upper river.
Highway 40 crossing near Folsom - bridge access on the upper reach.
Covington - the main town access on the middle river.
Bogue Falaya Park, Covington - developed park access at the tributary confluence.
Madisonville waterfront - the main launch on the tidal reach.
Fairview-Riverside State Park - camping and river access on the lower river.
Lake Pontchartrain mouth - the bottom of the run.
Seasons
Spring: the best flows on the upper river and strong bass and crappie fishing below.
Summer: low clear water above, hot and slow below, best fished early and late.
Fall: cooling water, active fish on both reaches and very little pressure.
Winter: slow, with catfish and crappie holding in the deeper tidal bends.
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Questions
What is the current flow on the Tchefuncte River?
As of Sep 17, 5:00 am, the USGS gauge Tchefuncte River near Folsom, LA reads 67 cfs. Conditions update every 15 minutes.
What species can you catch on the Tchefuncte River?
Anglers target Black Crappie, Blue Catfish, Bluegill, Bowfin, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Longear Sunfish, Redear Sunfish, Spotted Bass, Spotted Gar, White Crappie on the Tchefuncte River in Louisiana.
Where can you access the Tchefuncte River?
Folsom - the gauge reach and access to the upper river. Highway 40 crossing near Folsom - bridge access on the upper reach. Covington - the main town access on the middle river. Bogue Falaya Park, Covington - developed park access at the tributary confluence. Madisonville waterfront - the main launch on the tidal reach. Fairview-Riverside State Park - camping and river access on the lower river. Lake Pontchartrain mouth - the bottom of the run.
When is the best time to fish the Tchefuncte River?
Spring: the best flows on the upper river and strong bass and crappie fishing below. Summer: low clear water above, hot and slow below, best fished early and late. Fall: cooling water, active fish on both reaches and very little pressure. Winter: slow, with catfish and crappie holding in the deeper tidal bends.
Where are the fishing regulations for the Tchefuncte River?
Regulations change by season and section. Read the current rules on the Louisiana agency site: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/recreational-freshwater-finfish-and-crawfish