Red River Shreveport Fishing Report: Springtime Bounty on the Water

Artificial Lure here with your Red River Shreveport fishing report for Sunday, April 20, 2025. The spring bite is in full swing, and local anglers are seeing some of the best action of the year. Weather today is classic springtime in northwest Louisiana. We’re looking at highs around 75 degrees, clear skies, and a light breeze—ideal conditions for a day on the water. Sunrise was at 6:50 AM, and sunset doesn’t hit until 7:47 PM, so you’ve got a long window for fishing action. Water levels are steady, running just over 14 feet, making ramps and backwaters accessible for boats and bank anglers alike. Water temps are sitting pretty at 60 to 65 degrees, just right for that spring spawn, especially for bass and crappie activity. The river is slightly stained, which is working in our favor by keeping fish active and more likely to hit artificial lures[2]. Largemouth bass are the main draw right now. With the river stabilizing, fish are stacking up along sandbars, rock jetties, and especially around current breaks. The best catches this week have come on Bandit 200 series crankbaits in shad or chartreuse, and if you’re into soft plastics, don’t skip a Texas-rigged creature bait in black and blue flake. Soft jerkbaits like Shadicks are another solid option—work them slow near grass lines or timber, and hold on tight[1][2]. Crappie are moving up shallow for their spawn and have been hitting on both jigs and live minnows, especially around brush and laydowns in the backwaters. Early mornings and the hour before sunset have been best. Catfish are starting to get more active too, taking cut shad and chicken livers along the deeper bends and below the locks. This week’s reports include several solid stringers of largemouth bass, plenty of chunky crappie, and a few nice channel cats. No monster stripers reported but a couple of white bass schools popped up in faster water above downtown. For hotspots, check out the pocket cuts and jetties just north of the Shreveport boat launch, and don’t overlook the old river channel edges near Stoner Avenue for both bass and crappie. The oxbows near Hamel’s Park are also holding good numbers, especially in the warm afternoons. Best baits in your tackle box today: Bandit 200 crankbaits in chartreuse and shad, black and blue Texas-rigged plastics, natural soft jerkbaits, and live minnows for crappie. For catfish, fresh-cut shad is your best bet. That’s the bite for April 20. Tight lines from Artificial Lure. See y’all on the water[1][2][3]. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.