From May through September, crabbing along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road is a beloved tradition for locals and visitors alike. There’s nothing quite like catching your own fresh Louisiana Blue Crab—easy to do and fun for the whole family!
Before hitting the trail, stop by Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point to learn the basics and practice your crabbing technique. This hands-on experience is perfect for beginners and a great way to start your Louisiana Gulf Coast adventure.
Prefer to let the pros do the work? No problem. Southwest Louisiana is home to countless seafood restaurants serving up fresh Gulf seafood, including delicious blue crab.
Along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, the Gulf and saltwater estuaries are critical to blue crabs. Crabs are typically quite active along the many small bridges that cross the roadside canals. There are plenty of recreation areas to safely pull off the road and set up your crabbing spot. Some of the most popular spots include Blue Crab and West Cove Recreation Areas on Sabine National Wildlife Refuge on the west side of the Creole Nature Trail and Price Lake Road on Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge on the east side of the trail.
Remember, you're in Louisiana's Outback, a natural home to many wildlife, including nutria, deer, mink, possum, rabbits, otters, raccoons, bobcats, birds, and alligators. If you see them, don't feed them, and they'll mind their space as long as you mind yours! Don't forget to clean up your area after your crabbing adventure. Properly dispose of any trash, especially bait lines, bait containers, and packaging materials to protect the ecosystem and maintain the beauty of the marsh.
Crabbing is a year-round activity, but May through September is peak season when the water's warm and the crabs are active. The best time of day to go is earlier in the morning or later in the evening, particularly when the water is actively moving, but without an extreme current. Crabs are usually bigger and well-fed on the days leading up to a full moon.
Crabbing is a simple and delightful experience with a short list of necessary supplies. There are only a few convenience stores and fuel stations to pick up supplies along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road so be sure to get what you need before securing your crabbing location. Canik's Grocery and Chesson's Grocery are on the East side. On the West side are Grab N' Geaux (7067 Hwy 27 South), Brown's Grocery, and Bayak's Country Store, all providing a good selection of everything you need for crabbing, fishing, and more outdoor recreation activities in Southwest Louisiana.
SUPPLIES CHECKLIST:
100% cotton string/twine
Synthetic lines are strictly prohibited, as they do not decompose and become dangerous traps for wildlife.
Dip net
Crab bait - raw turkey or chicken necks, cut fish, or meat chunks are the best, but any meat will work!
As of June 1, 2022, you must have a license to crab recreationally. In addition to a license, you must also have a WMA Permit (not required if you already have a Sportsman’s Paradise License, Lifetime License, or Senior License) to crab in a LOUISIANA wildlife refuge or wildlife management area (i.e., Rockefeller Refuge in our area). Review the details from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, and come prepared!
