Oxbow Lakes   |   Atchafalaya Basin   |   Reservoirs   |   Marsh

Oxbow & Backwater Lakes of the Mississippi River
The meandering Mississippi River has continuously changed its course through the years. As it sought a shorter route to the Gulf of Mexico, its sediment laden water cut through sharp bends in the river creating lakes and backwater areas. Oxbow lakes are often long, narrow and deep resembling the "bows" that farmers used on oxen long ago. Some of these lakes are completely cut off from the main channel and do not receive flood waters from the Mississippi River during the spring. Found along Louisiana’s eastern boundary, Lakes Providence, St. Joe, Bruin, St. John, Concordia, Old River and False River are all typical oxbow’s of the Mississippi River.

The mighty river also created other backwater lakes that were formed when the river flooded into adjacent low areas. These lakes are characterized as large shallow cypress studded lakes. Major backwater lakes of the Mississippi River region are Larto-Saline and Spring Bayou. These oxbows and backwater lakes are home to great populations of largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and redear sunfish.

Atchafalaya Basin
The Atchafalaya, the largest active river delta on the continent begins at its source with the Red River and Mississippi River in the northern part of Pointe Coupee Parish. As distributaries of the Mississippi River, this expansive area of swamps, canals and lakes is subject to springtime flooding. Each year spring time floods send tons of silt into the basin creating new land and changing the topography of the swamp. After the flood waters recede, this areas becomes an anglers paradise. This phenomenal swamp is Louisiana’s natural treasure. It’s a prime area for fishing, crawfishing, frogging, hunting. It is a valuable resource both culturally and economically for the state.

Reservoirs
Some of the deepest water fishing spots in Louisiana are found in its reservoirs. Most of these impoundments are located in the north and central areas of the state. Unlike the backwater lakes that are subject to water fluctuations from flooding, these lakes are relatively stable and fishing patterns are similar to most other southern lakes of the United States. Although Louisiana does not have any clear water lakes, these lakes have better clarity than most other lakes in the state.

The 181,000 acre Toledo Bend is the biggest reservoir in the state and is considered to be one of the best bass fishing lakes in N. America. Other impoundments such as Caney Lake, Grand Bayou, Chicot, Indian Creek, Lake Bistineau, Lake Claiborne and a host of others in the north-central area serve as great recreational areas for fishing and boating.

Fresh Water Marshes
From the mouth of the Pearl River, west to the Sabine River, Louisiana is blessed with a maze of inland marshes.  This vast area is a nursery ground for finfish, shrimp, crabs, oysters and an array of food sources for predatory fish.  Lakes crisscrossed with bayous and canals hold numbers of largemouth bass as well as redfish, flounder and speckled trout.  The marshes of Caernarvon and Delacroix on the east side of the Mississippi River have greatly benefited from freshwater diversion projects.  Bass fishing is phenomenal in these areas, producing large numbers of healthy largemouth bass.  The shallow freshwater marshes in southwest Louisiana,..Lacassine, Big Burn, Sabine Refuge, offer great catches of largemouth bass.