Pearl River
Canoeing and boating on a gulf coastal plain river with extensive swampland. Cypress-tupelo gradually gives way to a marsh system. One of the state's most prolific wildlife systems and a very scenic area. Parishes: St. Tammany and Washington. Length: 120 miles. Location: From confluence with Gulf of Mexico to Mississippi state line.
Saline Bayou
The dark, mysterious attributes many people associate with swamps can be experienced on the 18.5-mile trek through this bayou, including alligator escorts on its southern end. To complete the entire journey in one shot, an experienced canoeist must paddle continuously for 8.5 hours. The banks are low and understory vegetation sparse on the segment from La. Hwy. 126 bridge to the Cloud Crossing Recreation Area—4.5 miles and 2.5 hours; this permits distant views into the forest. Trees that prefer wet conditions such as cypress, water oak, swamp chestnut and willow are common at first. Near Cloud Crossing, the banks become steeper and higher. From Cloud Crossing to Forest Service Rd. 507 (Pearfield Rd.)—2 miles and 1 hour, the bayou widens and the current slows. The banks are steeper and understory vegetation increases, limiting views into the forest, and the number of loblolly pine, beech, catalpa and magnolia increase. White sand bars line the bayou, and Spanish moss hangs from the trees. From Forest Service Rd. 507 to the west side of La. Hwy. 156 bridge—7.5 miles and 3 hours, the banks are lined with majestic cypress trees, large, stately oaks and old growth loblolly pine. Wood ducks, egrets and blue heron are common. The bayou passes through the remnants of Parish Hwy. 588 bridge. The latter third of this section flows through private property. From La. Hwy. 156 bridge to Sand Point boat launch on Saline Lake—4.5 miles and 2 hours, the bayou is very scenic and swamp-like. The vegetation mix is similar to that of the previous section until the headwaters of Saline Lake are reached. There species tolerant of year-round submersion such as cypress and tupelo gum grow. The main channel of the bayou from Hwy 126 to Sand Point is marked with light blue paint on tree trunks. The Forest Service has cautioned people: 1) Don't float the bayou when it's out of its normal banks. During periods of heavy rain, the bayou carries a large volume of water; the current can be very swift; and the bayou frequent ly flows onto the flood plain and develops a braided flow pattern with multiple channels. 2) Watch out for snakes and wasps nests in tree branches and shrubs that overhand the bayou. 3) Don't float the bayou if you have a medical condition that could require emergency care. The waterway is in a remote location with very limited road access which make rescue slow and difficult. Parish: Winn. Length: 18.5 miles. Location: From La. Hwy. 126 bridge to Sand Point boat ramp in Saline Lake. More Information: District Ranger, Winn Ranger District, Kisatchie National Forest, P.O Box 36, Route 3, Winnfield, LA 71483, (318)628-4664.
Fishing
For information on fishing licenses and regulations, contact the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife & Fisheries, Inland Fish Div., P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000. (504-765-2330).
Amite River
This 70-mile river flows south from Mississippi into southeastern Louisiana, roughly following Hwy. 16 much of the way, then it turns east to Lake Maurepas. Favorite catches: catfish, bass and bluegill.
Places to camp nearby: Baton Rouge, Covington, Hammond
Atchafalaya River
This southern Louisiana river flows south from near Marksville to the Atchafalaya Bay, just south of Morgan City. Favorite catches: bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.
Places to camp nearby: Alexandria, Lafayette, Morgan City, Opelousas, St. Martinville
Lake Bistineau
A 17,500-acre lake at the southern end of the Dorcheat Bayou in northwestern Louisiana. Located 10 mi. S. of Minden. Favorite catches: largemouth & yellow bass, catfish, crappie and redear in the lake; and Kentucky spotted & yellow bass, warmouth and longear sunfish in the bayou.
Places to camp nearby: Benton, Bossier City, Doyline, Homer, Shreveport
Cross Lake
An 8,575-acre lake on the northwest side of Shreveport in northwestern Louisiana. City sticker required for boats. Favorite catches: largemouth bass, crappie and catfish.
Places to camp nearby: Benton, Bossier City, Doyline, Oil City, Shreveport
Caddo Lake
A 32,000-acre lake on the Texas border in northwestern Louisiana. Located 11 mi. N.W. of Bossier City, off Hwy. 1. Favoritecatches: largemouth, white & yellow bass, crappie, catfish and redear sunfish.
Places to camp nearby: Benton, Bossier City, Oil City, Shreveport
Cypress-Black Bayou Reservoir
A 3,800-acre reservoir complex in the Cypress-Black Bayou Recreation Area on the east side of Benton, in northwestern Louisiana. Favorite catches: largemouth bass, crappie and redear sunfish.
Places to camp nearby: Benton, Bossier City, Doyline, Oil City, Shreveport
Lake Fausee Pointe
A 15,400-acre lake in southern Louisiana. Located east of New Iberia off Hwy 182. Favorite catches: bass, crappie, bream and catfish.
Places to camp nearby: Lafayette, St. Martinville
Saline-Larto Lake Complex
11,000 acres of cypress-studded fishing waters fed by the Catahoula Lake Diversion Channel in east-central Louisiana. Located about 25 mi. E. of Alexandria. Favorite catches: largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, sunfish and catfish.
Places to camp nearby: Alexandria
Toledo Bend Reservoir
A 181,600-acre lake on the Texas-Louisiana border formed by damming the Sabine River. The lake is 65 mi. long and up to 15 mi. wide, but with all its inlets it has a 1,200-mile shoreline. Located south of U.S. 84. Favorite catches: largemouth & striped bass.
Places to camp nearby: Hornbeck, Leesville, Many, Zwolle
Hiking
Kisatchie National Forest
The only national forest in Louisiana, it covers 600,000 acres in various units in the central and northwestern parts of the state. 27 hiking trails, totalling about 153 miles, are provided through hardwood and pine forests, fields of wildflowers and along lakes, clear streams and blackwater bayous. Two of the trails have been designated National Recreation Trails because of their outstanding scenic qualities. For more information, phone (318) 473-7160.
The 31-mile Wild Azalea Trail runs northwest from Woodworth Town Hall, (one block west of U.S. 165 in Woodworth) to the Valentine Lake Recreation Area (12 mi. W. of Alexandria, south of Gardner). It is the state's longest trail, but it is not difficult, as it is on central Louisiana's flat-to-rolling terrain. The best time for viewing the azaleas and dogwoods is from mid-March through mid-April. For more information, phone (318) 445-9396.
Places to camp nearby: Alexandria, Boyce, Gardner, Woodworth.
Sugar Cane Trail
The Sugar Cane Trail is a 7.6-mile loop trail around Upper Caney Lake in the Caney Lakes Recreation Area. Located a few miles north of Minden in northwestern Louisiana. Prior to the 1930s the land was heavily farmed for sugar cane and cotton. In the '50s the land was acquired and reforested by the Forest Service. Today, the remains of an old sugar cane mill and an earthen terrace system can be seen along the trail, which winds through pine and hardwood forest on rolling hills. For more information, phone (318) 927-2061.
Places to camp nearby: Benton, Bossier City, Doyline, Homer.
The Vernon Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest, just southeast of Leesville, offers seven looped and linear trails totalling 37 miles. The 10-mile Whiskey Chitto Trail follows the banks of the picturesque Whiskey Chitto Creek and passes stands of longleaf pine. The main trailhead is located at the Fullerton Lake Recreation Area on Forest Rd 427. For more information, phone (318) 239-6576.
Places to camp nearby: Hornbeck, Leesville.
Port Hudson State Commemorative Area Trail
This is the site of one of the Civil War's longest sieges. A battlefield trail guide is available for exploring 7 miles of hills and earthworks. Located N. of Baton Rouge, off U.S. 61. For more information, phone (504) 654-3775.
Places to camp nearby: Baton Rouge.
Horseback Riding
The Nature Stables at Global Wildlife Center
Located just north of I-12, in Folsom, Louisiana. Horseback tours available daily. Experience nature and exotic wildlife while traveling cross-country on a guided trail ride through 900-acres. Trail rides for up to 12 people. Brunch, Sunset, Moonlight & Overnight Rides also available. Daily tours last approx. 1 1/2 hours. Children under nine must ride with a parent or guardian. Reservations required. Call (504) 624-WILD.
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