Black Lake in Louisiana

Trip Overview

Black Lake - near Maurepas, LA

Put in at the launch at Black Lake Cafe/Bait & Tackle/Bar after paying my $3.00 launch fee and got some advice from Sandra (one of the owners) about where to paddle. This location is used to get to Blind River so lots of motor boats launch here.

From the launch canal, turn left and go straight ahead. This finger lake is long and narrow with a few large cypress but not much shade. About a mile from the launch, there is a bayou that goes off to the right and meets up with Blind River. I stayed straight ahead in the lake and it got quieter and quieter. The lake narrows down into a bayou in the back. It was almost noon at this point, so there was not as much shade as I'd like.

There were quite a few alligators as well... at least a dozen. The channel got quite narrow and was choked up with grass at few places. I pushed through a few times, but finally gave up and headed back out.

Accommodations:

The club has bathrooms and sells cold drinks

Fees:

$3.00 launch fee

Directions:

From Baton Rouge, drive east on I-12 to exit 22. Go south on hwy 63 and turn left (east) on hwy 444. Follow hwy 444 to hwy 22 and turn south. Follow 22 to hwy 1039 Bear Island Rd. which turns into Black Lake Club Rd. The club and launch is at the end of the road.