Red River Fishing Report: Fall Bite Heats Up Around Shreveport

It’s Artificial Lure here with your Red River fishing report out of Shreveport for Saturday, September 20th, 2025. Folks got out early this morning with a *cool starry dawn at 6:57 a.m.* and you can expect sunset tonight at *7:09 p.m.*. That earlier fall sunrise is giving anglers a good jump on the bite before temperatures climb. *Weather’s promising today*, with the forecast calling for *temperatures rising from the low 60s at dawn into the mid-80s by afternoon.* Skies should stay mostly clear with just a slight southern breeze—*ideal conditions for both boat and bank anglers.* *Recent rains upstream nudged river levels slightly higher,* bringing a little color to the water without making it unsafe or too muddy. Local anglers report the water temp hanging in the upper 70s, perfect for a transition bite as bass and crappie move toward their fall patterns. **Fish activity’s been picking up:** - *Largemouth bass*: Best action has come early and late in the day, with buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, and shallow-diving crankbaits pulling plenty of hits around grass edges and main channel structure. Chartreuse and white have been the hot colors this week. - *Catfish*: Channel and blue cats have been biting steady, especially off the flats and at creek mouths. Most folks have found success with cut shad and nightcrawlers. Some nice fish to 15 pounds were caught in the last few days by locals around the old railroad bridge and near the port channel. - *Crappie*: Slabs have started schooling tight around brush piles, especially early. Best results are coming on small jigs in blue/white and with live minnows—expect 10-12 inch fish, healthy for late summer. - *White bass*: Still chasing shad in the current, with small chrome spoons and roostertails getting bites, especially mid-morning when bait’s active. *Amounts and types?:* A handful of groups checked at the launch reported: - Up to two dozen bass (biggest near 4 lbs, most averaging 2 lbs), - Stringers of five to eight channel cats per boat, - 20+ crappie per angler, and - A few white bass mixed in around the rocky points. **Best lures and bait today:** - *Largemouth*: Shallow crankbaits (KVD Squarebill, Bomber Fat Free Shad), Zoom Super Flukes, black/blue jigs. - *Crappie*: Bobby Garland Baby Shad jigs, 1/16 oz, tipped with a minnow. - *Catfish*: Cut bait and fresh nightcrawlers. - *White bass*: Chrome spoons, white or chartreuse roostertails. **Recommended hot spots:** - *North Caddo Lake Cutoff*: Bass working grass and brush—get there before sunrise for your best chance. - *The old railroad bridge riprap*: Cats and crappie stacking up—fish tight to cover. - *Port channel pilings*: Bass and white bass favor the deeper rip at mid morning. - *Stoner Avenue Ramp area*: Bank access with plenty of panfish and the occasional big cat. Teal hunters have been seen out this morning in adjacent marshes—September teal season is in full swing, and the early push of birds has folks excited according to local guides This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.