As of January 12, 2025, the Red River in the Shreveport area is offering some promising fishing conditions despite the unpredictable Louisiana weather.

First off, there's no red tide to worry about in this freshwater river, so that's a plus. The water temperature is around 50 degrees, which is typical for this time of year. Sunrise today is at about 7:15 AM, and sunset will be around 5:15 PM, giving you a good window for fishing.

Fish activity has been decent, especially for bass. The Red River is known for its largemouth bass, and recent reports indicate that bass are starting to stage for the spawn, putting on some good weight. You can find them in main lake areas near spawning flats with hard cover or steep drops. Slow-moving bottom baits like finesse or compact jigs in green pumpkin, finesse worms, or Ned rigs are producing the most bites.

For summer-like conditions, which we're not quite in yet, crankbaits and plastics work well, especially in shad and chartreuse colors for crankbaits and purple or black for plastic worms. However, given the current cooler temperatures, sticking with the slower-moving baits is your best bet.

Hot spots include the river lakes area and the backwaters, particularly around public boat launches from Vivian to Bossier City. The area around Red River South Marina is also a good spot to check out.

Channel catfish and other species are also active, but the bass fishing is the main attraction here. With the water clarity being around 1-3 feet in the backwaters and clearer in the main river, you'll need to adjust your tactics accordingly.

Overall, the Red River in Shreveport is a bass fisherman's paradise, and with the right lures and knowledge of the area, you can have a successful day on the water. Just remember to check the weather forecast and water levels, as they can change quickly in this dynamic river system.