St. Charles Bay in Texas

Trip Overview

Launch Site W96d58.419m, N28d09.101m

44.5 miles from downtown Corpus Christi. Take 35N through Rockport. Cross bridge over Copano Bay, turn right on State Park Road 13, go straight all the way to the water (becomes Main Street) then follow road (Bay Street) north along water to boat launch ramp.

Paddle Trip:

Four paddlers (Mark Arnold, Scott Cartier, Jonah Freedman, Ken Johnson) launched at 9:30am Sunday December 15, 2002 from the southeast shore of the Lamar Peninsula on St. Charles Bay. Paddled east across the bay to the Southeast Shore of Blackjack Peninsula�which is the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. This is the winter nesting home of the Whooping Cranes which were brought back from near extinction. Best time to view the wildlife is November through March, when there are some 300 species of birds in the area (Canada geese, pintail and baldpate ducks, sand hill cranes, Great Blue Herons, American Heron, etc). Paddled north along the shoreline around Egg Point and Little Devil Bayou. Had lunch at Indian Head Point, and then paddled southwest back to the launch site. It was about a 10 mile paddle with warm sunshine and medium winds. Bay is fairly protected. Saw large flocks of ducks (golden eyes, merganzers and buffleheads) and the star attraction�.two large white Whooping Cranes who were feeding along the shoreline.

Accommodations:

None at launch site, but picturesque Rockport is 9 miles south.

Resources:

Top Spot "Upper Laguna Madre" fishing and recreation map available at any fishing or bait shop.