Sportsman's Paradise in 'The Parish'

A foray into St. Bernard's pirate country

St. Bernard Parish, situated along a twenty-seven-mile stretch of the Mississippi River, begins just five miles from the heart of the French Quarter, making it both an extension of the city and a world apart. Nearly 75% of "The Parish," as it's referred to by residents, is comprised of water, with a variety of marshes, bayous, and inlets throughout. This saturated terrain, with its close proximity to the Gulf, makes it home to world-class fishing accompanied by waterside bungalows, full marinas, and guide services. And that's not all. With such open access to the outdoors, St. Bernard is a naturalist's dream; public green spaces such as St. Bernard State Park, and Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve are all rife with ecological worlds to explore. Not to mention all the sightseeing to be done via the San Bernardo Scenic Byway on Highway 46.

Owing to its prime location, avid fishermen from all over arrive to this region for the chance to cast out in St. Bernard's brackish marshland and reel in local catches like redfish, speckled trout, bass, flounder, and sheepshead. In addition to charter services, there are also a number of fishing lodges available to make the most out of your anglers' adventure. Find the full listing of experienced guides and charter fishing services in the parish here. 

\For a glimpse into the close-knit culture of St. Bernard's coastal fishing villages, visit the communities of Yscloskey and Delacroix. These two picturesque towns were originally founded by the Isleños as agricultural communities who provided produce for the markets in New Orleans, and learning to live off the land is a way of life passed down generation to generation. 

Thanks to its position on the Mississippi Flyway, St. Bernard is also home to three stops along America's WETLAND Birding Trail and the Mississippi River Birding Trail. During peak migration season, which runs from March through May, you can glimpse hundreds of different species up close.

The San Bernardo Byway runs for thirty-six miles along the banks of the Mississippi, from the edge of Orleans Parish down to Shell Beach, giving travelers diverse landscapes to discover along the way as the route shifts from the suburban to increasingly rural. This stretch along LA 46 transports you back almost two hundred years with historical sites such as the Old Arabi Historic District, the Old Arabi Sugar Museum (housed in the neighborhood's former jailhouse), scenic beauty and century-old fishing villages here. View a map of the byway's route and its notable stops here, or head to visitstbernard.com to plan your trip from beginning to end.