Red River Rundown: Fall Fishing Heats Up in Shreveport

Artificial Lure here, reporting from the banks of the Red River near Shreveport, where the October bite is picking up steam thanks to crisp mornings and a river that’s just starting to show its fall personality. Today, October 17, 2025, we’ve got a mostly sunny sky on deck, highs running up to the upper 80s, and light east winds around 5–10 mph. That warm spell means fish are still active but hanging tight to current breaks and cooler holes in the mornings and evenings. Sunrise came in right about 7:17am, and sunset is expected around 6:38pm. On the tidal front, the upper Red River doesn’t really see true tides, but fall draws down water levels and makes current and eddies the go-to spots. According to FishingReminder’s major time bite, fish were most active from about 8:20 to 10:20 this morning and will fire up again from 8:50 to 10:50 tonight, with late afternoon from 3:20 to 5:20 also worth a cast. The moon is in a waning crescent, and with the clear skies and north winds lately, water visibility’s actually pretty decent for this river. Talking catches, the last week has seen strong numbers of blue catfish in the deeper runs—anglers drifting cut shad or chicken gizzards near channel drops have done well on eaters and a few pushing into the teens. Crappie have been biting good under overhanging limbs at places like Noix Creek and Bishop Branch, especially early. Locals are seeing a steady run of white bass in the current seams near Plum Point Slough, chasing schools of shad along the surface during the cool morning feed. If it’s largemouth you’re after, buzzbaits and shallow crankbaits around riprap banks and laydowns at daybreak are the ticket—Torrey and Upper Swan Lake backwaters have been local favorites. A few decent bass, nothing huge, but a steady handful in the 1.5 to 3-pound class have come over the gunnels. Red-ear sunfish and bluegill are stacking up near grassy edges and dropoffs; try worms or small beetle spins in clear pockets. Now, lure and bait selection: For the cats, fresh cut shad or larger nightcrawlers on Carolina rigs are working best. Crappie are smoking pink or chartreuse jigs tipped with a minnow if you can get them. For the white bass, small silver spoons or inline spinners are doing the trick, while black buzzbaits and sexy shad crankbaits are the go-to for bass, especially on wind-blown points. Don’t overlook classic live bait—a bucket of river shiners will catch just about anything in these waters. For hot spots, head to the mouths of Noix Creek and Bishop Branch around sunrise—the crappie and catfish have been thick. Plum Point Slough and Upper Swan Lake are your best bets for bass and big bream. If you want to mix it up, the main channel ledges near Two Rivers Marina are reliably producing blue cats and the occasional flathead, especially at dawn or dusk. Key tip for today: Keep your bait or offering in moving water near a current break and let it drift naturally. As always, remember to double-check local reg This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.