If you're planning to hit the Red River in Shreveport today, December 19, 2024, you're in for a treat. First off, the weather is looking perfect for fishing, with mild temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to low 70s. This kind of weather makes it ideal for both bass and catfish fishing.

Sunrise is at around 6:58 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 5:02 PM, giving you a full day to enjoy the river. Since the Red River is not a tidal river, you don't need to worry about tidal fluctuations; instead, focus on the water levels and flow rates, which are currently minimal and favorable for fishing.

Fish activity is quite good this time of year. Largemouth bass are particularly active, feeding more aggressively as the cooler temperatures set in. You can find them using outside edges of weed beds and channel drops to ambush prey. Crappie are being caught in about 6 to 8 feet of water around falling trees or sunken brush piles, while catfish are active in 6 to 15 feet of water along creek or river channel edges.

Yesterday, anglers reported catching a good number of largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish. The bass were biting well on soft plastics and crankbaits, especially those that mimic shad or crawdads. For crappie, jigs tipped with minnows or small jigs with curly tails worked well. Catfish were caught using nightcrawlers, chicken livers, and stink baits.

Some of the best spots to try your luck include the public boat launches from Vivian to Bossier City, particularly around the areas near Coushatta and Natchitoches. The river lakes area is also great for bass fishing, and the backwater lakes provide ample opportunities for crappie and catfish.

Overall, the Red River in Shreveport is offering some excellent fishing conditions right now, so grab your gear and head out to enjoy a day on the water.