Fishing for economic stability in bayou country
Built around a sugar mill in the late 19th century, the Cajun community of Montegut was born on the bayou. The South Louisiana community offers the last glimpse of civilization before land gives way to swamps, marshes and, ultimately, the Gulf of Mexico. Montegut Road follows the path of Bayou Terrebonne, serving as the lone thoroughfare in the community of 1,300. Area schools are highly rated, and recreational facilities are well-maintained; however, self-sufficiency has its challenges when the closest major city, Houma, is 15 miles away. “We’re trying to pump some life into the economic development in these areas,” says Christopher Pulaski, director of planning and zoning for Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government. “Over the years, we’ve seen a lot of decline in terms of businesses and opportunities for those folks. They’re all having to commute into the city, so that adds up. We’re trying to find ways where they don’t have to do that.” With a bayou running through the heart of town and water never far, the seafood industry, unsurprisingly, is a major player.
Batture property on the bayou
Bayou Terrebonne accompanies travelers down Montegut Road, rolling past stilt houses and mobile homes on its journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Parallel on the other side of the road, a narrow sidewalk tunnels beneath rows of mature trees. Homes tend to stay on the market much longer than the national average, sometimes up to four months. Vacant lots and “batture” properties — homes between the levee and the low-tide mark — sell for $20,000 to $100,000, while mobile homes tend to be priced slightly higher in the range of $50,000 to $125,000. A three-bedroom ranch-style or stilt house might sell for $100,000 to $250,000.
Buoyed by Bayou Terrebonne
In addition to its major commercial impact on the area, fishing is also a key recreational activity in Montegut. “We’re investing in public boat launches and improving the drainage and water quality in the bayou areas so the residents can be in a better position to take advantage of the fishing,” Pulaski says. Plans are underway for a public boat ramp near the Madison Canal, about 6 miles south of the town center. The Montegut Recreation Center offers an indoor gymnasium, a baseball field, combination basketball and tennis courts, a playground and a shaded pavilion.
Making the grade at Montegut Middle School
Montegut Elementary School operates from a white clapboard building that still retains many of its original features from 1912. The public library is next door, and the Montegut Recreation Center is within walking distance. Montegut Middle School, a short distance away on Dolphin Street, serves grades 5 through 8, followed by South Terrebonne High School, which is 10 miles north in Bourg. Each school receives an A-minus from Niche.
Montegut Mini Mart munchies
Locals pop by Montegut Mini Mart for gas, snacks and cold drinks, and household sundries are available at Dollar General on Dolphin Street. Locals meet at Gene’s, a roadside bar, to shoot pool and trade stories. Nearby, where Sarah Road crosses Bayou Terrebonne into Chauvin, a Piggly Wiggly supermarket offers the nearest grocery option.
Moving on Montegut Road
For a wider selection of bistros and boutiques, Houma is 15 miles northwest via Montegut Road. This is also where residents find Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center, the closest hospital. Travelers who need to catch a plane can take New Orleans Boulevard from downtown Houma, then connect to Route 90 for the 57-mile trip to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
Craft shows, fishing rodeos and Mardi Gras
Several local clubs, including the Montegut Lions Club and American Legion, connected to host the Montegut Community Fishing Festival & Craft Show, which debuted in 2024 and aims to become an annual tradition. The craft fair and “fishing rodeo” are the star attractions, and local bands and DJs provide the soundtrack. During Mardi Gras, the Krewe of Montegut Parade paints the streets purple, gold and green with a procession of floats and plenty of beads.
Photography Contributed By
Anna Cheng
