Mother Nature and Mardi Gras could put a damper on area fishing this weekend.

With rain in the forecast and parades scheduled throughout the weekend, many area fishermen may opt to keep their rods-and-reels at home. Some may decide to go to a Mardi Gras parade, while others will wait for another weekend to go fishing.

But for those looking to take their chances, the fish are expected to be biting.

Terry Serigny of Terry's Live Bait in Leeville said he is expecting business to remain steady throughout Mardi Gras, even with a chance for rain each day.

“Although it supposed to rain for the weekend, I still have some people coming in and planning on fishing," Serigny said. “I am guessing they are planning to fish between the showers, and I am confident that they will catch some nice fish.”

But for those deciding to fish this weekend, Serigny said they need be patient and follow safe boating practices.

"Because of the weather, people need to be careful when they are in their boat this weekend," he said. "It’s also important for kids to wear their life jackets."

Dee Dupre of Capt. Allen's Bait and Tackle in Houma said if last weekend was any indication, there will be some people that will not let the weather or parades stop them.

“We are hoping it will be busy this weekend," she said. "Even with all of that rain last weekend, we were still busy and people caught some nice fish. Mardi Gras and the weather did not slow down the area fishing.”

LOWER LAFOURCHE

Good fishing.

Serigny said those deciding to go to the Mardi Gras parades could miss out on some nice fish, as people have catching redfish, black drum, sheepshead and even speckled trout in recent weeks.

Although the fish are biting, Serigny said he would go to a parade if he could.

“With Mardi Gras coming up, there’s only going to be a few people fishing this weekend," he said. "If I could be at the parades, I would but someone needs to be here to keep the shop open.”

Best baits: Live cocahoe minnows and bait shrimp.

LOWER TERREBONNE

Good fishing.

Dupre said roadside fishing has been excellent in recent weeks, especially in the southern part of Terrebonne Parish. The most popular catch remains redfish with a few speckled trout sprinkled in.

“Even with the cold weather, people are catching some fish, especially on the side of the road," she said. "I’ve heard people catching fish on the side of the road in the Montegut, Point-aux-Chenes and Dulac areas.”

Best baits: Bait shrimp, Tsunami Purple Haze and Berkley Rattle Shrimp.

BAYOU BLACK

Good fishing.

Bobby Breaux of Bobs Bayou Black Marina said the water levels are rising and the bass are spawning, and both are welcomed news for many freshwater fishermen.

"The bass are spawning right now, and they are catching some pretty fish right now," he said. "I’ve heard some good reports of sac-a-lait, but not as many as the bass."

During a tournament last weekend, Breaux said the winning team had a five-fish stringer weighing about 19 pounds with the largest bass at around 6 pounds.

Best baits: Plastic lizards, top-water baits and spinner baits.

GRAND ISLE/FOURCHON

Good fishing.

Serigny said water levels have started to increase, so some fishermen have been able to venture out into some of the top spots in area marshes.

But the most popular spots remain in the canals along La. 1 from Fourchon to Grand Isle.

Best baits: Live cocahoe minnows and bait shrimp.