Dogwood Lodge - Biloxi Marsh
Louisiana Redfishing
Fly/Spin Sightfishing and Conventional Fishing
Stay aboard Dogwood Lodge, a redfishing and duck-hunting liveaboard hotel in the marshlands of Louisiana, 45 miles southeast of New Orleans. The Biloxi Marsh is an estuary network of 210,000 acres of coastal wetlands located on the eastern side of Louisiana, bordering the Gulf of Mexico.
The Biloxi Marsh Lands Corporation, founded in 1936, owns approximately 90,000 acres of marshlands and leases a portion of its surface to private individuals for fishing and hunting.
2025 Rates start at $1,655.00 per person for 3-nights and 2-days guided fishing.
The Biloxi Marsh
The Biloxi Marsh provides hundreds of miles of some of the best redfishing in the world. The salt marshes are vast and healthy, providing easy access to great inshore fishing for redfish, speckled trout, and many other species, as well as great duck hunting.
Due to the almost year-round clarity of the water and endless wild marshes, the Biloxi offers opportunities for trophy redfish.
Reds love to eat flies in shallow water and often dine close to the boat! Sight fish the narrow bayous and shallow ponds for larger reds.
The Fishing Program
Season: The Hopedale area can be fished year-round, with peak fishing during the fall. Redfishing championships are held in October.
Travel Time: From the Liveaboard, it takes 10 to 45 minutes, depending on where the fish are. You'll cross the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, then enter the western edge of the marsh.
Guides: The Lodge works with outstanding and reputable guides and outfitters.
Fly/Spin Sightfishing Packages: Technical poling boats such as Hells Bay and Chittum skiffs are used. Two anglers per boat and guide. The guides pick you up at 8:00 a.m., returning you to the Liveaboard at 4:00 p.m. All fly fishing packages are catch-and-release fishing only.
Conventional Lure/Bait Fishing Packages: Guides use 24 to 26 ft. bay boats. Three to four anglers per boat and guide. The guides pick the group up at 6:00 a.m., returning you to the Liveaboard between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
Packages Include: Fuel, ice, flies or tackle, and fish cleaning. If you plan to take fish home, you'll need to bring Ziplok bags and coolers.
Equipment: The guides supply all rods, reels, and tackle.
Fishing License: A 5-day non-resident fishing license is $30, not included in the package.
The Biloxi Marsh
A Typical Fishing Day:
The Lodge provides a packed lunch, bottled water, and soft drinks for you to enjoy on the boat. Back at the liveaboard in the evenings, you’ll enjoy appetizers and an open bar, followed by dinner.
For Conventional Lure or Bait Fishing: Breakfast is served at 5:30 a.m. You’ll head out at 6:30 a.m. with your guide, who will pick you up in a 24 to 26-foot bay boat. You'll return to the Liveaboard between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. You’ll fish three to four anglers per boat and guide.
For Fly Fishing: Breakfast is served at 7:00 a.m. You’ll head out at 8:00 a.m. with your guide. Technical poling boats such as Hells Bay and Chittum skiffs are used. You'll fish two anglers per boat and guide. You’ll return to the Liveaboard at 4:00 p.m.
Liveaboard Lodging:
The Dogwood Lodge, a 114-foot liveaboard vessel, is docked at the Hopedale Marina. The Dogwood is historically significant as the US Coast Guard used it as a buoy tender on the upper Mississippi River. A cruise ship company later converted it into a multi-day vessel for river cruises.
Lounge Area
On the second deck, you'll find the lounge area known as the Mississippi Room. Homey, comfortable seating, a widescreen television, and a bar.
Bar: After a day of fishing, you'll enjoy appetizers in the lounge and beverages at the complimentary self-serve bar. By law, the Lodge cannot provide alcohol for your fishing day, but you can purchase it (in cans only) at the marina store.
Meals and Beverages
Meals: Hot breakfasts. You'll take a sack lunch, snacks, soft drinks, and bottled water for your fishing day. Delicious Southern and Cajun cuisine are on the daily menu.
Dining Room and Cabin
The Ohio Room accommodates up to 12 diners and can be used as a corporate meeting space. The Liveaboard offers six private bedrooms, each with two twin beds and a private bathroom. Additionally, the deck has two outdoor seating areas, perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or evening drinks while soaking in the sights and sounds of the marsh.
Getting to Dogwood Lodge:
1.) You'll fly to New Orleans.
2.) You'll need to either rent a car or call a shuttle service, which is $140.00 one-way for a party of up to six. New Orleans to Hopedale is about a 75-minute drive, depending on traffic.
Hopedale: There's not much to the town of Hopedale, just a couple of local fishing camps. Upon your arrival in Hopedale, you will board the Liveaboard, have dinner, and prepare for fishing the following day.
2025 Rates and Packages
Our advice is free.
We never charge more than the Lodges we represent.
Season: Year-round fishery with peak fishing in the fall.
Group Size: Groups are not mixed, so you will need to get your own group together.
Inshore Guided Fly Fishing Packages:
Two angler minimum required.
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$4,415.00 per person
6-nights and 5-days guided fishing
$3,725.00 per person
5-nights and 4-days guided fishing
$3,035.00 per person
4-nights and 3-days guided fishing
$2,345.00 per person
3-nights and 2-days guided fishing
$1,655.00 per person
Includes: Double-occupancy lodging, meals, a complimentary bar at the Lodge, guided fishing (2 anglers per boat), fuel, ice, use of rods and reels, tackle, or flies. All fishing is catch and release.
Guided Inshore Conventional Fishing Package:
Two angler minimum required.
7-nights and 6-days guided fishing
$3,962.50 per person
6-nights and 5-days guided fishing
$3,325.00 per person
5-nights and 4-days guided fishing
$2,687.50 per person
4-nights and 3-days guided fishing
$2,050.00 per person
3-nights and 2-days guided fishing
$1,412.50 per person
Includes: Double-occupancy lodging, meals, a complimentary bar at the Lodge, guided fishing (2 anglers per boat), fuel, ice, use of rods and reels, tackle, or flies. All fishing is catch and release.
Wade Fishing at the Chandeleur Islands
(This can only be added when you book a guided inshore conventional fishing trip.)
Up to 3-anglers per boat and guide $1,150.00 per boat per day
Up to 4-anglers per boat and guide $1,250.00 per boat per day
Single-Occupancy Lodging:
$350 per person per night
Customize your own package.
Non-angler rates are available upon request.
Fishing with Larry Payment Options:
1.) Credit card (a 2.5% convenience fee applies)
2.) Check. Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer (Send money electronically – typically a $15 to $30 fee for domestic transfers and $45 - $50 for international transfers.) Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.
Guided Duck Hunting Charter:
$300 per person per hunt. (Additional charge for lodging)
Limit of six ducks per day.
You'll need to bring your own shotgun and shells. Bird cleaning is included.
Duck Hunting packages do not include the use of a shotgun, shotgun shells, a non-resident small game/migratory bird license, and a federal duck stamp.
The Custom Fishing Package + Lodging Package Includes:
• Lodging
• Breakfast and dinner at the Lodge
• A sack lunch, sodas, and water during guided trips
• House alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks at the Lodge
• Guided fishing
• Use of rod and reel
• All tackle, bait, or flies, depending on your package
• Fish cleaning
• Guided Inshore and Fly-Fishing packages include fuel.
The Custom Guided Hunting Package + Lodging Package Includes:
• Lodging
• Guided hunting
• Bird cleaning
• Breakfast and dinner at the Lodge
• A bag lunch, sodas, and water during guided trips
• House alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks at the Lodge
• Fuel for hunting excursions.
• Hunting Packages do not include the use of a shotgun, shotgun shells, waders, or knee boots.
All Packages Do Not Include:
• Airfare to New Orleans, and return
• Roundtrip ground transfers between New Orleans and the Lodge
• Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
• Fishing or hunting licenses
• Packing and shipping of your catch
• Alcohol during guided trips
• 10.95% lodging tax
• Global Rescue
• Travel insurance
• Guided Conventional Fishing Charters to nearby oil rigs or the Chandeleur Islands do not include a $150 fuel charge or live bait (charged at current market price).
• Offshore Fishing Charters do not include a daily fuel charge, approximately $1,500.00 per group.
• Hog and Nutria Hunting packages do not include cleaning, meat processing, or a daily fuel charge ($100 to $200, depending on gas prices). Guides will clean for an additional fee (to be determined by the guide).
• Anything not covered under inclusions.
Fishing with Larry Payment Options:
1.) Credit card (a 2.5% convenience fee applies)
2.) Check. Please include your invoice number in the memo. Mail checks to Fishing with Larry P.O. Box 419 Columbus, MT 59019.
3.) Wire Transfer (Send money electronically – typically a $15 to $30 fee for domestic transfers and $45 - $50 for international transfers.)
Please email Toni at toni@fishingwithlarry.com for wire instructions.
Dogwood Lodge Policies:
Dogwood Lodge’s Deposit Policy: A 50% deposit is required to book, with the balance due 90 days before arrival.
Dogwood Lodge’s Cancellation Policy: Lodge cancellations made 60 days prior to the reservation date are entitled to a full deposit refund. They will hold your deposit for one year to reschedule for Lodge cancellations made 30 to 60 days, but not within 30 days. If you have not rescheduled during the one-year period, your deposit will be forfeited. For cancellations made with less than 30 days’ notice, your deposit will be forfeited.
Fishing and Hunting Package Cancellation Policy: Fishing and hunting charter cancellations must be communicated at least 60-days before your charter date. They are officially notifying you that at least 60 days’ notice must be provided to cancel your trip and receive a refund on your deposit. If you do not provide 60 days’ notice regarding cancellation of your charter, your deposit will not be refunded. If you cancel within 30 days of your charter, the full charter rate will be due. If your fishing or hunting charter is canceled by the guide due to weather, the deposit is refundable.
