The winding Blood River in Livingston Parish provides stunning views during the spring season.
Livingston Parish, Louisiana, is an unparalleled destination for boating and fishing.
Written and photographed by Gregg Mansfield
If you seek a fantastic fishing spot and friendly locals, Louisiana’s Livingston Parish is the place for you.
Located roughly an hour north of New Orleans, Livingston Parish remains largely untouched by development and boasts over 400 miles of navigable waterways—more than Venice, Italy. If your interests include fishing, hunting, seafood, or treasure hunting, a visit to Livingston Parish is well worth it.
“The inhabitants are warm and welcoming, and you’ll always encounter Southern hospitality in this region,” remarked Kathleen Abels, marketing manager for the Livingston Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau.
While many restaurants offer dock space, raft-ups are common during busy weekends and holidays.
Livingston Parish boasts a rich history, having been settled by French and Spanish colonists in the early 1700s. The Cajun culture is evident in the area’s unique array of waterfront dining venues, typically open from March to September.
The Amite and Tickfaw rivers shape Livingston Parish, creating a winding waterway lush with cypress trees. The river and its tributaries reach depths of 15 to 20 feet, with clearly marked shallow areas.
Professional angler Alex Heintze, who grew up in Denham Springs, Louisiana, part of Livingston Parish, noted the variety of species available. Anglers can catch largemouth bass, spotted bass, crappies, bream, and catfish. Heintze mentioned that bass and catfish are the primary targets for sport fishermen.
The Tickfaw and Blood rivers offer a scenic route with a unique blend of architecture.
Depending on the time of day, Heintze suggests using “crate base better bait on a moving bait” in the morning and later in the day “a lot of D Bombs, small jigs, and small trick worms.”
“There’s an excellent morning bite here,” said Heintze. “The main consideration, depending on the river you’re on, is the boat traffic you’ll encounter. That’s when you’ll need to retreat into some of the sloughs to avoid it or concentrate on that morning and evening bite.”
Despite having the country’s second-largest Bass Pro Shop, boat rental facilities are limited, so you should plan on bringing your own boat. The rivers are freshwater, while brackish water can be found at Lake Pontchartrain.
Livingston Parish provides numerous public launch ramps, plus private ones like Canal Bank Club on the Blind River and the Hill Top Inn restaurant in Maurepas.
Sun Bun Bar & Grill is only reachable by boat, but offers a water taxi service from a nearby highway.
“Hilltop is a great launch point—it’s a lovely location,” Heintze stated. “They also have the Hilltop restaurant on-site, so you can go boating or fishing and return for a meal.”
A fishing permit is essential, whether for freshwater or saltwater, and wildlife agents actively monitor the rivers. A five-day pass costs $30 or you can get an annual pass for $68 for nonresidents.
If visiting waterfront dining establishments is more your style of adventure, the Livingston Parish area has many options. The local restaurants and bars embody the area’s unique spirit, often using wood and materials sourced from surrounding groves.
The Prop Inn Stop is famed for its “Worm Bucket” drink and offers live music when the season kicks off.
Both the Prop Stop Inn on the Tickfaw River and Sun Buns Bar & Grill are only reachable by boat, with Sun Buns offering a water taxi from the Highway 51 side. Both venues are bustling on weekends and usually host large tie-ups, so if that’s not your preference, plan accordingly.
Other worthwhile waterfront dining spots include The Anchor and T Rivers Bar & Grill, situated in Madisonville. Notable venues along the Tickfaw River include Boopalu’s Bar and Grill and Tiny Lizzy’s Bar (slated to reopen). Choose a perfect spot, grab a refreshing drink, and watch the boats pass by.
Nearby, Blood River Landing is a private marina that opens to the public just once a year for the Tickfaw 200 poker run in early May. Its centerpiece is the “Fun House,” a bar and stage that captures the whimsical character of the region.
The “Fun House” at Blood River Landing is accessible to the public only once a year during the Tickfaw 200. The late Charlie Albert created it, and various items hang from the rafters that he discovered or were gifted to him.
On land, the editors of Center Console Life had the opportunity to visit Bayhi’s Landing in Springfield for a meal. The menu features crawfish (in season), charbroiled oysters, Dungeness crab, and Cajun delights like po-boys and red beans and rice.
Regarding accommodations, it’s essential to plan in advance, especially during busy weekends and holidays. Abels mentioned that the area boasts “fantastic campgrounds” that can accommodate motorhomes and cabins.
Located about halfway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, The Villas at Carter Plantation in Springfield are situated on a championship golf course. Most hotel rooms are either in Denham Springs or Walker. An added benefit of staying in Denham Springs is the downtown area, which features an award-winning antique district.
Seafood is always available at Bayhi’s Landing in Springfield, LA, including crawfish when in season.
New Orleans is just a short drive away for day trips, and while few tourist spots can rival the Big Easy, Livingston Parish presents a fantastic low-key alternative. Similar to New Orleans, Livingston Parish is packed with excellent dining options. Bring your hunger.
“Seafood is likely our biggest draw, and we’re famous for our barbecue,” Abels stated, who has deep roots in the Livingston Parish area. “If you enjoy shrimp, crab, crawfish, or oysters, you’ll be very pleased.”