5 Tips for Frogging in Louisiana

By Erin Brown, Sportsmen Outreach Coordinator

Louisiana’s vibrant woods and waters are full of fish, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians. One delicacy that sportsmen enjoy harvesting is the frog leg. Frogs can be found in almost any wetland habitat in Louisiana, and are hunted mainly in the swamps and freshwater marsh areas throughout the state. With the changing ecosystem of the South Louisiana marshes comes new freshwater opportunities from catching bass to frogs. I have discovered that frogging in areas near the outfall of a freshwater diversion can reap big rewards.

Before heading out on your frogging adventure, be sure to check to see if the land is public or private, and follow some of my tips below.

#1 Get Equipped

Before taking off, make sure you are fully equipped with the right tools. The absolute first and most important thing to bring is a strong head light. Secondly, most frogs are caught by hand, but do bring your nets and gigs to capture the frogs in the harder to reach spots. Do not forget a sack, like a crawfish sack, to store your catch. Also, make sure you don’t forget your mosquito repellant so that you aren’t carried away.

#2 Know the Rules

Make sure that you know the regulations for frogging in Louisiana. Frogging season is not open here in April or May. No special permit is required—all you need is a fishing license. Also, there are two frog species that are harvested in Louisiana. The American Bullfrog and the Pig frog. Bullfrogs must be five inches or larger from the tip of the snout to the tail, and the Pig frog must measure three inches or larger.

#3 Shallow Draft is Best

Shallow draft vessels such as a pirogue, canoe, mud boat, or flat boat with shallow outboard motors are necessary. This will allow you to get in the shallow areas that frogs inhabit. It also gives you the advantage to get to places where other people can’t access as easily.

#4 Timing Matters

The best times for frogging are in a waning moon or no moon, when they are less likely to spot you first and jump. I have found the best times for frogging are after 9 PM, when one can best spot the reflection of their eyes and bellies with the spotlight.

#5 Have fun

And last, but certainly not least, make sure you have packed a full ice chest of drinks, have good music on que, and have great company to enjoy your night out in the Louisiana marsh. After you have returned from your successful frogging trip, and have cleaned your harvest, try my family’s great frog leg recipe to enjoy your harvest with friends and family.

If you have a family frog leg recipe that you would like to share, please submit to the new online cookbook hosted by the Restore the Mississippi River Delta coalition.