Do you have Louisiana on your travel bucket list? Get ready for a treat! Louisiana has a breathtaking collection of lakes. Shimmering blue waters and vibrant green scenery make these lakes in Louisiana perfect destinations for your road trip in Louisiana. Here are 17 lakes to add to your Louisiana travel itinerary.
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1. Lake Pontchartrain
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At Lake Pontchartrain, you can enjoy both excitement and peace while exploring the beautiful 630 square-mile estuary in southeastern Louisiana. Go fishing off one of the local piers, grab a bite to eat at one of the restaurants on the lake, or get a kayak or paddleboard and cruise under the incredible Pontchartrain Causeway.
2. Toledo Bend Reservoir
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Toledo Bend Reservoir, the largest body of water in the U.S. that crosses state lines, lying between Texas and Louisiana, offers 185,000 acres of fishing, swimming, and boating, along with hunting and fishing tournaments. With over 1,200 miles of shoreline, there are plenty of outdoor adventures to partake in.
3. Caddo Lake
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Caddo Lake—one of the largest lakes in Texas at 25,400 acres—allows you to experience a diverse array of natural beauty. You can sleep in treehouses, listen to the sounds of wildlife each evening, and travel through the wetlands in the largest cypress forest in the US. This one-of-a-kind experience lets you stay among the cypress trees and experience the sound of wildlife while you listen to the many songs of the wetlands. It is an Internationally designated wildlife preserve. Caddo Lake is a great Remembered the former inhabitants of the area, the Caddo Native Americans, this destination offers a perfect getaway with plenty of rustic charm and mystique. best lakes in Texas
4. Calcasieu Lake
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Calcasieu Lake is one of the only brackish fishing spots in the United States and is located in southwest Louisiana’s Cameron Parish. Locals refer to it as Big Lake. The lake is a fishing paradise and offers award-winning catches of red drum, speckled trout, and flounder, as well as an abundance of shrimp, both brown and white. It is not solely a fishing destination, the brackish water creates heavyweight speckled trout that can reach, and possibly exceed, 7 pounds. The lake sits next to Louisiana Highway 27 and the scenic drive to the lake is just 17 miles south of the city of Lake Charles.
5. False River
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False River is a 10.5-mile “trophy lake” and proven fishing paradise. The river has record-breaking figures for bass fishing in addition to having the most striped bass per acre in all of Louisiana. The river was once part of the flow of the mighty Mississippi River which makes the water quality perfect for water sports. With clear water, you can enjoy boating, sailing, and waterskiing. Also, during waterfowl season, hunting is available at the south flats near Jarreau and Oscar. There is always something to do!
6. Cross Lake
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Just a stone’s throw from Shreveport is Cross Lake. It is an 8,575-acre body of water just waiting for new anglers and boaters to explore its waters. Its fishing tournaments and moss-covered cypress waters make it stand out from other city getaways. And maybe of all the unique cypress waters, the most interesting and unique are the city contrasts. It’s a city owned forest mixed wilderness with man-made endpoints.
7. Lake Claiborne
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Homer’s Lake Claiborne sits just outside of the charming town of Homer. With inviting clear waters and a stunning natural backdrop. The lake is surrounded by endless opportunities for fishing, birding, boating, and hiking as well as disc golf. With 6,400 acres of state park, endless possibilities for immersing yourself in nature are available including protected waters for swimming and hiking.
8. Lake Bistineau
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Lake Bistineau State Park is approximately 30 minutes east of Shreveport. The park is one of Louisiana’s 22 state parks and opened due to a flood created log jam of the 1800s. After a 1935 dam construction, the park was revived and it is a monument to progress as it was the first state park to allow African Americans. Today, the park is home to over 10 miles of hiking trails, places for water activities, and plenty of peaceful places to enjoy nature.
9. Lake Bruin
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When the weather is nice, the fun water activities start at Lake Bruin, one of the greatest lakes in Louisiana. With 3,000 acres of water, there is tons of fun to be had by fishermen, boaters, and everyone who loves the outdoors in Louisiana. You can catch white perch in the spring, do some fun water sports, or just hang out at the sandy beach and relax.
10. Lake D’Arbonne
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Lake D’Arbonne is a massive 15,250-acre reservoir located near Farmerville that offers peace, adventure, and plenty of room to explore. The lake draws anglers searching for the biggest freshwater record catches. It also provides miles of beautiful, calming trails for both cycling and bird-watching, while the exciting open waters offer recreation for boaters and water skiers, and the area epitomizes Louisiana’s wild beauty.
11. Lake Martin
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Lake Martin is a beautiful example of amazing wildlife. This paradise has great birds such as Egrets and Roseate Spoonbills, and the largest colonies of nesting water birds in Louisiana. Lake Martin is a great place to find hidden and camouflaged alligators. For those lucky enough to see them, the lake has lots of frogs and snakes to see as well. Enjoy a drive down Rookery Road to take pictures of the wildlife at the lake. Bring binoculars and a camera to capture all the amazing animals that live at Lake Martin.
12. Lake Maurepas
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Explore Lake Maurepas, the unspoiled sister of Lake Pontchartrain and the second largest lake entirely within Louisiana. At over 15,000 acres, this lake has water from four different river systems and provides recreational activities from fresh water fishing to bird watching. The lake is surrounded by cypress and tupelo forests.
13. Lake Charles
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Lake Charles sits at the center of Southwest Louisiana and is a playground for adventure. Learn the history of the brackish lake and Calcasieu River. The promenade features highly detailed brick and iron structures. Experience a relaxing sunrise walk or a thrilling sunset sail along the Calcasieu Ship Channel. Don’t forget to grab your towel and sunscreen for a fun day on the state’s only inland white sand beach at North Beach.
14. Black Lake
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Black Lake in North Louisiana gives outdoor enthusiasts plenty to enjoy. Anglers can catch black crappie as they migrate to deeper water in winter. Boat enthusiasts will love the cypress channels and easy access to boat launches. The combination of moss, seaweed, algae, and varying widths of water channels create the beauty that Louisiana is famous for.
15. Prien Lake
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On the borders of Lake Charles and the old-style scenery of Prien, Louisiana, we find the peacefulness of Prien Lake. Once an active roadway of the Calcasieu River, it now remains a peaceful refuge full of speckled trout, redfish and more, making it a wonderful place for fishing. Around the lake, there are recreational opportunities at the parks of Prien Lake Park and LaFleur Park for everything from boating to relaxing on a beach and picnicking.
16. Lake Chicot
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Fishing and hiking are two great ways to vacation and Lake Chicot in South Central Louisiana may be the perfect vacation spot for you! Lake Chicot has a 6,400-acre wildlife preserve where you can find rolling hills and a 2,000-acre lake where you can fish for bass, crappie, and bluegill. The lake also offers a hiking trail that is about 22 miles long and dates back to the 1930s and was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
17. Catahoula Lake
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Louisiana’s largest natural freshwater lake is Catahoula Lake. This lake is surrounded by a mix of rivers and streams. This unique ecosystem allows many species to thrive. You can also enjoy sport and commercial fishing at this location or if you prefer, bird watching. The visible waterbird count alone can exceed 400,000!
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