Back cover
Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana
CAMERON JETTY FISHING PIER 722 Davis Road, Cameron (337) 775-5718 N 29.764377 W 93.342428 Fishing Pier into the Gulf, Pavilion, R/V Park, Walkway to the Beach, Bird Observation Tower and Playground.
www.creolenaturetrail.org One of only 31 such federally designated routes in the United States, the Creole Nature Trail is a natural and recreational wonderland for people and animals! These coastal wetlands support 28 species of mammals, more than 400 species of birds, millions of monarch butterflies, 35 species of amphibians and reptiles, 7 commercial species of mollusks and 132 species of fish. And that provides exceptional birding, photography, wildlife viewing, crabbing, fishing and hunting opportunities for you! Three national and one state wildlife refuge offer safe and accessible places to nourish your spirit and reconnect with the land while providing a haven for wildlife as well as protecting these invaluable wetlands. For all the details about hunting and fishing on our national wildlife refuges, please visit www.fws.gov.swlarefugecomplex.
CAMERON PRAIRIE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 1428 Hwy. 27 N 29.943344 W 93.08865 (337) 598-2216 Engage in wildlife exploration at the Visitor Center featuring state-of-the-art dioramas as well as over-water boardwalk. Pintail Wildlife Drive N 29.946078 W 93.084828 3-mile drive featuring a half mile accessible boardwalk with viewing scopes. Exceptional waterfowl viewing during winter. GULF OF MEXICO BEACHES The natural Gulf of Mexico beaches in our area offer some of the finest “shelling” around in addition to birding, swimming, sunning, picnicking and surf fishing. Holly Beach N 29.76997 W 93.47244 Rutherford Beach N 29.75828 W 93.12429 Constance Beach N 29.759386 W 93.577378 Gulf Breeze Beach N 29.757255 W 93.591008 Little Florida Beach N 29.755770 W 93.605027 Long Dun Beach N 29.753795 W 93.627209 Mae’s Beach N 29.749783 W 93.663960
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Front cover
PEVETO WOODS BIRD & BUTTERFLY SANCTUARY LA 82, west of Holly Beach N 29.76110 W 93.60496 Large numbers of trans-Gulf Neotropical songbirds, as well as migrating butterflies, rest in these coastal woodlands during the spring and fall.
ROCKEFELLER REFUGE 5476 Grand Chenier Hwy., Headquarters: N 29.73269 W 92.83146 (337) 491-2593 Price Lake Nature Drive N 29.733095 W 92.830854 View alligators, shorebirds and a wading bird rookery. Great fishing and crabbing. SABINE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 3000 Holly Beach Hwy. (337) 762-3816 Wetland Walkway N 29.866544 W 93.455858 1.5 mile accessible walking trail into the marsh with a 2-story observation tower. Excellent alligator viewing area. Blue Goose Trail N 29.890783 W 93.400942 Observation towers with viewing scopes over winter waterfowl grit site and 1-mile accessible walking trail to the edge of Lake Calcasieu usually boasts neotropical songbirds during the spring and fall. Excellent crabbing and fishing at four recreation areas: Hog Island Gully, Blue Crab, Northline and West Cove. LACASSINE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 209 Nature Rd., (337) 774-5923 Lacassine Pool Wildlife Drive N 30.00555 W 92.91091 Self-guided drive with excellent birding, fishing and wildlife viewing.
With GPS coordinates for area boat launches 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive • Lake Charles, LA 70601 337.436.9588 • 800.456.7952
VisitLakeCharles.org
VisitLakeCharles.org
Inside pages saddle stitch at this fold
Get Outdoors and Explore! A combination of marshland, freshwater, saltwater, beautiful parks, a white sand inland beach as well as easy access to Gulf beaches makes Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana unique in the state.
Alligator Park Boat Launch
Sam Houston Jones State Park Boat Launch Ferry Road Boat Launch
English Bayou Boat Launch
Sulphur
LA109 3063
Exit 43
90
Exit 27
Lake Charles
Vinton
Vinton Canal Boat Launch
Iowa
LaFleur Park (I-210) Boat Launch
Ryan St.
Indicates the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road
Prien Lake Park Boat Launch
oupique
Niblett’s Bluff Recreation Area
Texas
Westlake
90
Thomson
Sabine Island Wildlife Management Area
Please visit the tourist bureau office at
1205 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles
Sampson St.
r Canal
Sulphu
Common St. Lorrain Park Boat Launch
LA108 Hwy 108 Boat Launch
Calcasieu Parish
Nelson Road Boat Launch
Calcasieu Point Landing Boat Launch
Holmwood
Rossignol Road Boat Launch
Streeters Road
Intracoastal Park
North Choupique Bayou Boat Launch
ou
Ellis Moss Kayak Launch Black Bayou Boat Launch
Lacassine Pool
Bla
ck B
ay
Intracoastal Park Boat Launch
Black Lake
Spicer-Hughes Marina, Motel & Boat Launch
Hackberry
Cameron Parish
Black Bayou
Sabine Wildlife Refuge/Hog Island Gully Boat Launch (+ East & West Launches) Browns Lake
SABINE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Blue Crab
Wetland Walkway
Hamilton Lake
Sabine Pass Boat Launch
Johnsons Bayou
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Peveto Woods Bird & Butterfly Sanctuary
Gulf View Road (Parish Rd 528)
2 3 4 5
Jetty Pier Holly Beach
SHELLING BEACHES:
Big Pasture Road
LACASSINE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Grand Lake
Creole
Cameron
Davis Road
Pintail Wildlife Drive & Boardwalk
Cameron Prairie Refuge Westbank Fishing Road
Gibbstown/Conway LeBleu Bridge Boat Launch South
CAMERON PRAIRIE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Calcasieu Ship Channel Boat Launch
Monkey Island
Deep Bayou Landing Boat Launch
Lacassine Pool Boat Launch
Hackett’s Corner Sweet Lake
Hog Island Gully Southwest Louisiana Blue Wildlife Goose Calcasieu Lake National Refuge Complex Walking (Big Lake) Visitors Center Trail
Sabine Wildlife Refuge/Big Cross Marias Boat Launch
Mud Lake
Boone’s Corner
MAP NOT TO SCALE
Dugas Landing Hebert Camp Road Boat Launch Hebert’s Marina Boat Launch
West Cove
Kayak Launch Deep Bayou Fork
South Fork Black Bayou Boat Launch
Grand Lake
Sabine Wildlife Refuge/ Blue Crab Boat Launch
Sabine Wildlife Refuge/West Cove North & South Boat Launches
Sabine Lake
Davis Seafood & Boat Launch
Hackberry Boat Launch
Northline Recreation Area Boat Launch
Northline Greens Lake
For a list of businesses who sell detailed fishing maps for local waters, please contact the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau at 337-436-9588
White Oak Park Boat Launch Old Hwy 171 Boat Launch Mac Cobbs Boat Launch Riverside Park Goodman Road Boat Launch West Fork Boat Launch Boat Launch Saltwater Barrier Boat Launch (South Westlake) I-10 Bridge Boat Launch
Beglis Pkwy.
Houston River Canal
Bayou Ch
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Starks
LA 12
With Mardi Gras, the Contraband Days Pirate Festival, Cajun Festivals and multiple celebrations, you’re sure to find something that makes you want to eat funnel cake – or King Cake! 800.456.7952 VisitLakeCharles.org
Sam Houston Jones 171 State Park West Fork Boat Launch
Over 400 species of birds have been sighted in Southwest Louisiana along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, and alligators, butterflies, and an abundance of wildlife in their natural habitat make this area a world-class destination for nature lovers. While you’re here, also explore the Southwest Louisiana Boudin Trail (our favorite finger food), delightful museums and galleries or casino resort properties. Or, take a romantic drive through the Charpentier Historic District and catch a glimpse of the past glory of Lake Charles as a sawmill town.
Holbrook Park Boat Launch
LA 12
Bass Lake Boat Launch
Prien Lake Park with winding paths, pavilions, a playground, lakefront amphitheatre and manicured grounds provide a picturesque backdrop for soaking in nature. Sam Houston Jones State Park with hiking and biking trails, campgrounds, cabins, cypress trees in swampy scenery and more add to the diverse landscape.
Once you have located the launch you wish to utilize, please refer to GPS coordinates for that launch on pages 5-8 of this guide.
LA 12
Oak Grove Trosclair Road
Rutherford Beach Road Cameron Jetties Rutherford Beach Lower Mud Lake Broussard Beach Davis Road Boat Launch
Mermentau River
Upper Mud Lake
Grand Chenier Boat Launch
Grand Chenier
1) Mae’s Beach, 2) Long Dun Beach, 3) Little Florida Beach, 4) Gulf Breeze Beach, 5) Constance Beach
Price Lake Nature Drive
to Verm
ilion Pa
Rockefeller Headquarters
rish/Ro
llover B
ayou
Joseph Harbor Boat Launch
ROCKEFELLER REFUGE
Farther south, neotropical songbirds, migrating butterflies and wintering waterfowl by the thousands are sure to catch your eye against the blue sky and the incredible hues of green in the coastal marshes. Get up-close and personal with nature at several boardwalks into the marsh where you can set-up your equipment to catch that perfect shot. Gulf of Mexico beaches, most drivable during low tide, are teeming with shorebirds and an abundance of shells. So grab your camera, put on your walking shoes and get out and explore Southwest Louisiana. Perhaps you’ll even see an alligator out for a walk too!
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Table of Contents Fishing and Boat Launches...................................4-9 Beaches................................................................... 10 Hiking & Biking........................................................ 11 Recreational Licenses........................................... 12 Scenic Beauty & Photography......................... 13-14 Creole Nature Trail All-American Road.............. 15 Map of Southwest Louisiana................................ 16
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FISHING
Calcasieu Parish
in Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes.
Bass, crappie and panfish are on the platter for Calcasieu River, Sabine River and other freshwater waterways. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, trick worms, craw worms and crankbaits will help anglers lure in the big one. Brackish waters, like Prien Lake and the southern portion of the Calcasieu River, offer a variety of catches such as croaker, redfish, specks, flounder and black drum. Lures used for saltwater fishing are usually the most attractive to fish in these waters. Saltwater action is great at Saltwater Barrier, Calcasieu Lake and, of course, the Gulf of Mexico. Be sure and bait your line with plastic grubs, Johnson spoons and plastic shad looking lures to catch speckled trout, redfish or flounder. Calcasieu Lake usually comes to its peak in the fall season, as flounder run, schools of redfish are on the prowl and specks feed to survive the winter.
Following is a list of boat launches in Southwest Louisiana, including GPS coordinates, the bodies of water they access and the type of water. While most launches are public, some are private and may have a fee to launch. � Indicates launches from which kayaks, canoes and
non-motorized boats may be dispatched.
Alligator Park N 30.3631 W 93.7221 Old River Slough, tributary of Sabine River Freshwater
� Hwy. 108 Boat
Anthony Ferry Road N 30.2914 W 93.3156 Houston River to Calcasieu River Freshwater
� I-10 Bridge Boat Launch N 30.237463 W 93.238985 Calcasieu River and Lake Charles Saltwater
Bass Lake Boat Launch N 30.294116 W 93.690874 Bass Lake Freshwater English Bayou Boat Launch N 30.298955 W 93.188257 English Bayou, Calcasieu River Freshwater Goodman Road Boat Launch N 30.262329 W 93.155072 English Bayou Freshwater
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Holbrook Park N 30.348541 W 93.295521 West fork of the Calcasieu River Freshwater
Launch N 30.139036 W 93.422367 Choupique Bayou Saltwater
� Intracoastal Park/
Ellender Bridge N 30.065869 W 93.346347 Intracoastal Waterway/Lake Calcasieu Saltwater
� LaFleur Park (I-210) N 30.196789 W 93.271986 Prien Lake Brackish
� Lorrain Park
N 30.129731 W 92.907625 Lacassine Bayou Freshwater
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Mac Cobbs Boat Launch N 30.265590 W 93.197649 Calcasieu River Freshwater
� Riverside Park
Moss Bluff/Theriot Road N 30.298955 W 93.188257 Calcasieu River Freshwater
Rossignol Boat Launch N 30.114471 W 92.989238 Bell City Drain Ditch Freshwater
Nelson Road Boat Launch N 30.097693 W 93.248854 Black Bayou Brackish
� North Choupique Bayou Boat Launch N 30.097291 W 93.360387 Choupique Bayou Freshwater Old Highway 171 N 30.271475 W 93.177078 Moss Bluff Bay, Calcasieu River Freshwater
� Old Highway 90/
N 30.252890 W 93.245035 Calcasieu River Brackish
� Saltwater Barrier
Boat Launch N 30.254314 W 93.218030 Calcasieu River Freshwater Sam Houston Jones State Park N 30.294713 W 93.265594 West fork of the Calcasieu River Freshwater Vinton Canal Boat Launch N 30.154298 W 93.566956 Vinton Canal Freshwater
Burnout Bridge N 30.102061 W 93.693135 Sabine River tributary Brackish
West Fork Boat Launch (North Westlake) N 30.299150 W 93.250242 Calcasieu River Freshwater
Parkside Marina Resort N 30.303525 W 93.249298 Calcasieu River Freshwater
West Fork Boat Launch (South Westlake) N 30.252616 W 93.246804 Calcasieu River Freshwater
� Prien Lake Park N 30.190297 W 93.267383 Prien Lake Brackish
� White Oak Park
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Cameron Parish
N 30.296454 W 93.117849 Calcasieu River Freshwater
Calcasieu Point Landing N 30.104217 W 93.306767 Industrial and intracoastal canals adjacent to Turner’s Bay and Calcasieu Lake Saltwater
� Cameron Prairie
Refuge/WestBank Fishing Road N 29.945667 W 93.084972 Canals of Cameron Prairie Gibbstown Unit Freshwater
� Conway LeBleu/
Gibbstown Bridge N 29.934306 W 93.078972 Intracoastal Waterway, access to Outfall Canal Freshwater
� Davis Road/Jetty
Boat Launch N 29.767917 W 93.342203 Calcasieu Ship Channel, access to Gulf Saltwater
� Davis Seafood &
Launch N 30.005813 W 93.334383 Calcasieu Ship Channel/Lake Calcasieu Saltwater
� Deep Bayou Landing N 29.790530 W 93.750140 Sabine River, Sabine Lake Freshwater � Dugas Landing N 29.966919 W 93.342184 Calcasieu Ship Channel/Lake Calcasieu Saltwater � Grand Chenier Park N 29.769171 W 92.975478 Mermentau River Saltwater � Hackberry Boat Launch (Concrete ramp) N 29.987810 W 93.337843 Calcasieu Ship Channel/Lake Calcasieu Saltwater � Hebert’s Marina N 29.987665 W 93.269520 Lake Calcasieu Saltwater � Joseph Harbor Launch N 29.717040 W 92.765570 Humbel Canal, access to Gulf Saltwater
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� Lacassine National
Wildlife Refuge Pool N 29.982716 W 92.894428 16,000 acre impoundment Freshwater
� North Fork Black
Bayou N 30.078230 W 93.286547 Black Bayou Saltwater
Sabine Pass Boat Launch (LA) N 29.767894 W 93.892542 Sabine Lake Saltwater Sabine Wildlife Refuge/ Big Cross Marias
N 29.866720 W 93.453130 Access to Gulf Saltwater
� Sabine Wildlife
Refuge/Blue Crab
(Non-motorized hand-launch only)
N 29.878922 W 93.425564 Units 1A and 1B of Sabine National Wildlife Refuge Freshwater
� Sabine Wildlife
Refuge/Hog Island Gully East N 29.909078 W 93.382586 Lake Calcasieu Saltwater Sabine Wildlife Refuge/ Hog Island Gully West N 29.909533 W 93.383308 Eastern interior of Sabine National Wildlife Refuge Freshwater
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� Sabine Wildlife
Refuge/Northline N 29.920914 W 93.381439 Western interior of Sabine National Wildlife Refuge Freshwater
� Sabine Wildlife
Refuge/West Cove (North) N 29.866483 W 93.452686 Lake Calcasieu Saltwater Sabine Wildlife Refuge/ West Cove (South) N 29.866590 W 93.453929 Western interior of Sabine National Wildlife Refuge Freshwater
� South Fork Black Bayou N 30.026463 W 93.212775 Black Bayou, access to Intracoastal Waterway Saltwater � Spicer Hughes
Marina & Motel N 30.004464 W 93.341980 Kelso Bayou and Lake Calcasieu Saltwater West Ferry Landing N 29.80461 W 93.34913 Calcasieu Ship Channel, access to Gulf and Lake Calcasieu Saltwater
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Beaches,
Find Your Sunny Place! Beaches in Louisiana are not what you might traditionally picture in your mind as a beach with condos and loads of people. But, you know what? That’s what makes them worth exploring! The first time you experience a Gulf beach in Louisiana, you’ll most likely feel that you are at the ends of the Earth. Golden sun, stretched out beaches, shells everywhere and the sounds of the water lapping up onto the beach. Bring a picnic lunch and absorb it all. The Lake Charles area also has inland beaches along the shores of Lake Charles. So, while you are out and about city side, you can pull off, plant your feet in the sand. Or, play a round of volleyball! For directions or more information, call 800-456-7952. North Beach on the north shore of the lake is a white sand inland beach (the only one in Louisiana) right off Interstate 10, Exit 29 for eastbound travelers and Exit 30A for westbound travelers. North Beach is also located right next to the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention & Visitors Bureau where you can find even more information on discovering Calcasieu Parish and its offerings. From North Beach, you can catch a glimpse of the shores of Lake Charles and landmarks of the city. LaFleur Beach is near Prien Lake Park. Complete with a boat launch and a view of the park, the natural sand beach is another option for inland beaches in Lake Charles. It’s on Prien Lake Road, right off the I-210 Bridge, Exit 3. Gulf Beaches along the Creole Nature Trail AllAmerican Road are natural sand beaches with loads of shells! Some of the beaches are made of tiny shells that crunch when you walk! For a shelling brochure, call 800-456-7952.
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Biking and Hiking
Hit the Trails!
Sam Houston Jones State Park features 1,087 acres of lakes, trees, vistas, rivers and streams. When you pull into the park, you’ll be surrounded by tall trees and scenic views. It’s photographer’s paradise with different landscapes and wildlife all within the park. Interpretative signage along the trails engages the visitor and makes learning about your natural surroundings fun for you and your family. Cabins and campsites are also available for rent as well as kid-friendly playground and picnic areas. The trails are hiking and biking accessible including the 1.6 mile Riverwalk Trail, the .5 mile Cypress Tupelo Trail, the 1.1 mile Swamp Walk Trail, the 3.5 mile Longleaf Pine Trail and the 1.3 mile Longleaf Pine Extension. Along the way, you’ll see wildlife that inhabits the area, tree-filled lagoons and a mixed pine and hardwood forest. The park is located just north of the most productive birding region of Louisiana, so bird watching is always excellent. Hiking trails wind through this beautiful park, making simply strolling or serious hiking possible. Particularly interesting is the Old Stagecoach Road, which hikers may travel to explore the park and the banks of the various tributaries to the Calcasieu River—107 Sutherland Rd. off of Hwy 378 in Moss Bluff (337) 855-2665, (888) 677-7264 www.lastateparks.com Open 6 a.m.–9 p.m. for day trips.
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Licenses
You get a line, and I’ll get a pole! Going crabbing or fishing? Scoop up the Crabs May to September, is prime crabbing time. Bring your own or stop at any of the local stores to purchase some thick string and good crab bait — turkey or chicken necks, cut fish, or meat chunks are the best — a dip net and a pail or ice chest. Tie your bait to the end of the string, toss it in the water and wait for a slight pull. Slowly pull the line in and have your net at the ready to scoop up your crab before he gets wise and lets go! Note: Individuals crabbing for recreational purposes are not required to possess a basic recreational fishing license. However, persons using crab nets or crab lines on wildlife management areas or refuges must possess a basic and saltwater recreational fishing license or a Wild Louisiana Stamp.
All art is but an imitation of nature The sound of the wind rustling through the marsh grass. The sight of the sun seemingly setting right into the lake. The sky thick with waterfowl in flight. The wide open vistas and flat plains of Southwest Louisiana provide unlimited views of natural beauty. This terrain also shows how swiftly Mother Nature can change her mind as you watch thunderstorms roll off the Gulf of Mexico. Binoculars, camera or just your eyes, Southwest Louisiana offers numerous areas where you can revel in nature.
Going Fishing Fishing is a year round pastime in Lake Charles/ Southwest Louisiana. Our waters are teeming with fish, schools of them! For information on local guides, log onto www.visitlakecharles. org/hunt-fish. Obtaining a License Check www.wlf.louisiana.gov for additional information or call (225) 765-2800. Day passes are available.
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Like the Lakefront Promenade— featuring a cobblestone path, the Louisiana Landing Fountain, and a one-of-a-kind bronze geese sculpture— located on the Lake Charles Seawall at the Lake Charles Civic Center and offering a sweeping view of the lake. Or the unique Lake Charles-style architecture in the Charpentier Historic District, juxtaposed against live oak trees with their boughs sweeping the ground.
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