Lakes & Beaches in Louisiana

Why Visit Louisiana’s Lakes & Beaches

From sweeping Gulf Coast views to tucked-away inland swamps and lakes, Louisiana’s bodies of water feature plenty of activities, including swimming, fishing, paddling or just relaxing under the warm Louisiana sun. Adventurous travelers can embark on a water adventure, riding Jet Skis or speed boats, while families can explore water playgrounds and splash in the waves. Boaters can launch from local state parks, while anglers can cast a line from fishing piers.

Top Louisiana Lakes (Freshwater)

Anglers, boaters and water-sports enthusiasts, head to Louisiana’s lakes for peaceful, relaxing days in nature.

Lake Pontchartrain

Louisiana’s most beloved lake is actually the largest inland body of water in the state. It spans 630 square miles and ranges from 12 to 65 feet deep. Visitors enjoy the lake year-round — kayaking in the summer, hiking in the fall and birding during the spring. But anglers flock to the lake in the winter, hunting for speckled trout and blue catfish. According to Louisiana Sportsman, November is the perfect month for fishing Lake Pontchartrain. Their advice? Focus on the bridges and other structures that break the current, providing fish with an easy source of food and shade. Or let an experienced captain do the heavy lifting, and book a charter like Lake Pontchartrain Charters, headed by Captain Kenny.

The best way to access Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans is via the main hub in the Lakeview neighborhood. Set out on the water from the West End Boat Launch on Breakwater Drive, or launch from the Bonnabel Boat Launch in Metairie. On the northern shore of Lake Pontchartrain is Fontainebleau State Park, offering easy access to the lake, plus a man-made beach, water playground and 5 miles of beautiful hiking trails.

Toledo Bend Reservoir

This lake on the Texas-Louisiana border has 1,200 miles of shoreline and a surface area of 185,000 acres. It’s the largest man-made body of water in the South, home to trophy-level largemouth bass, white perch, catfish and bream.

Access the lake on the Louisiana side via two state parks. North Toledo Bend State Park in Zwolle has a boat launch with a double ramp. Visitors can rent flat boats, canoes or kayaks, and the fish-cleaning station provides a convenient place to clean your dinner. In Anacoco, South Toledo Bend State Park features a boat launch and courtesy docks, plus flat-bottom boat rentals. Explore the surrounding forest on a 3,000-foot surfaced nature trail, or get muddy on the off-highway vehicle trail. 

Catahoula Lake

Catahoula Lake is the state’s largest natural freshwater lake, spanning more than 46 square miles. Near (and partly encompassed by) the Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge in Jonesville, the lake also offers a winter home to a variety of waterfowl. At the wildlife refuge, visitors can fish and explore a dozen trails of varying lengths.

Looking to fish on Catahoula Lake? We recommend a guided fishing experience.

Lake Claiborne

Prefer a peaceful, quiet lakeside getaway? Head to Lake Claiborne in North-Central Louisiana, a true hidden treasure. Hike through a hilly forested landscape to find a 6,400-acre man-made freshwater fishing area, fully stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, channel catfish and white perch, among others.

Lake Claiborne State Park’s remote location makes it a popular weekend spot for families. The park features a fishing pier, boat launch and fish-cleaning station, plus more than 12 miles of hiking and nature trails and two 18-basket disc golf courses — the No. 1- and No. 2-ranked courses in the state.

Cane River Lake

The Cane River was once the main channel of the Red River, which flows through Northwestern Louisiana. In the early 1900s, two dams were built, creating a 34-mile-long lake across Natchitoches Parish. This oxbow lake offers fantastic fishing (think largemouth bass, crappie and catfish) with a side of history, as the lake is close to the Cane River Creole National Historic Park.

Access the Cane River Lake from a public boat ramp across from Oakland Plantation, or fish from a dedicated wooden dock near the Shell Beach ramp. While you’re in Natchitoches, explore the Cane River Creole National Historic Park, including Oakland and Magnolia plantations. Tour a cotton farm and outbuildings like a blacksmith shop, hospital/overseer’s house and tenant cabins, and learn more about the enslaved people who lived and worked on the plantations.

Lake D’Arbonne

This freshwater lake covers 15,280 acres with a shoreline of more than 100 miles in North Louisiana. It’s a popular spot for anglers and pleasure boaters, often surrounded by campsites, summer homes, year-round homes and commercial landings. Expect breathtaking views and record catches of bass, crappie, catfish and bream.

Access Lake D’Arbonne from a public boat launch at Lake D’Arbonne State Park in Farmerville. The state park’s 655 acres also include fishing piers, boat docks, tennis courts and nature trails. The entire family can splash around in the seasonal swimming pool, then relax in a deluxe cabin or lodge.

Top Gulf & Coastal Beaches

If you’re more about sun-warmed sand than boggy, moss-filled bayous, visit one of Louisiana’s beautiful coastal beaches.

Holly Beach

Nicknamed the “Cajun Riviera," Holly Beach is an unpretentious little strip of sand along the Gulf. It’s just an hour’s drive from Lake Charles and perfect for fishing, bird watching and strolling along the sand. Shell collectors praise Holly Beach for its variety — look for whelks, cockles, angel wings and even sea glass. And the best part? Holly Beach is dog-friendly, so even your pup can enjoy the Gulf breeze on their fur!

Rutherford Beach

Another quaint stretch of sand, Rutherford Beach is located off the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, near the mouth of the Mermentau River in Cameron Parish. Enjoy beachcombing, bird watching, fishing and kayaking, then wash the sand from your toes at a convenient outdoor shower. Paddlers can explore the 9-mile river trail, perfect for a mindful solo journey or meditative trip with friends.

Grand Isle

The holy grail of Louisiana Gulf Coast beaches, Grand Isle Beach offers 7 miles of public beaches off scenic Highway 1. Accessing the beach is easy at Grand Isle State Park, which takes up the entire northeast end of the village. Thanks to the warm climate, visitors can swim year-round and even camp along the shore. Anglers can find speckled trout and redfish during the fall and winter months, and birders will enjoy the Migratory Bird Festival in April.

Activities at Louisiana Lakes & Beaches

Best Louisiana Lakes & Beaches for Swimming

Grab your goggles and hit the waves at Lake Claiborne State Park, whose sandy beach is situated on a quiet inlet protected from boats and water skiers. Fontainebleau State Park also has a man-made sandy beach that extends into Lake Pontchartrain. Little ones will love splashing around the water playground, operated Tuesdays through Saturdays. At Cypremort State Park, wind surfing is the name of the game, and visitors are welcome to swim along the half-mile man-made beach. And both Grand Isle State Park and Holly Beach provide excellent access to swim in the Gulf.

Best Louisiana Lakes & Beaches for Fishing

When locals talk about bass fishing in Louisiana, it’s more than likely that Toledo Bend Reservoir comes up. This 185,000-acre lake is the largest man-made body of water in the South, and the largemouth bass are plentiful. Up north, Caney Lake at Jimmie Davis State Park is also known for record bass catches, and the state park features two boat launches and a fishing pier. At Lake D’Arbonne State Park, anglers can drop a line from fishing piers, or rent a kayak and explore hidden inlets. Keep an eye out for bass, crappie, catfish and bream. Near Natchitoches, Black Lake offers a slice of fishing heaven for trophy hunters. Hit the water from the public boat launch just north of Highway 84 East and look for largemouth bass and crappie.

Best Louisiana Lakes for Boating

Whether you’re renting a vessel or have your own boat, Louisiana’s state parks offer the perfect launch for a day on the water. Both North and South Toledo Bend state parks have boat rental options and boat launches. North Toledo Bend State Park also features a double ramp, large parking lot and fish cleaning station. Fontainebleau State Park is a great launching point for adventures along Lake Pontchartrain, with single or tandem kayak rentals. At Lake Bruin State Park in St. Joseph, boaters can set off for the 3,000-acre Lake Bruin from the year-round boat launch and enjoy the convenience of a boat shed for docking.

Tips for Planning Your Visit

Ready to hit the water? Before you get going, here are a few tips to keep in mind while enjoying the water in Louisiana.

Check the Louisiana State Parks website before visiting a state park. It features up-to-date information, including closures, events and pricing, to help you plan your visit.

Reserve ahead of time if possible. While many local boat ramps don’t accept reservations, larger marinas typically offer reservations via phone or website.

Check swimming advisories and boat closure notices. Planning to swim in the Gulf? The Louisiana Department of Health tests water at sites along the coast and issues advisories based on water quality, and Louisiana State Parks issues important safety advisories on their website.

Boat safely. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries requires personal watercraft to be registered and to comply with certain requirements based on size. Boat captains must complete an LDWF-approved boater education course, and each person board must have one U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. For a full list of boating regulations, visit the LDWF website.

Don’t forget the necessities. Louisiana summers can get hot, and we recommend packing sunscreen, hats, cooling towels and plenty of water. The FDA recommends wearing clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun, as well as using broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF values of 15 or higher. Remember to reapply sunscreen at least every two hours.

Leave no trace. Pack out everything you bring in, and dispose of trash in proper receptacles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major lakes in Louisiana?

Louisiana's largest naturally formed lake is Lake Pontchartrain, located just north of New Orleans, with an area of 630 square miles. Toledo Bend Reservoir is the largest man-made body of water in the South, with 1,200 miles of shoreline and a surface area of 185,000 acres. Caddo Lake, on the border between Louisiana and Texas, spans 25,400 acres, and Lake D’Arbonne in Northern Louisiana covers more than 15,000 acres.

What is the prettiest lake in Louisiana?

Whether you’re looking to dive into crystal-clear waters or explore mysterious swampy wetlands, Louisiana’s lakes each offer scenic views in their own way. Many argue that Lake Pontchartrain has the prettiest views, with shimmering blue waters bisected by the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the world’s longest continuous bridge over water. But tucked away in the north is Lake Claiborne, with deep blue water surrounded by rolling hills of pine. Others love Lake Bistineau, a smaller lake with scenic views of cypress and tupelo forests, dripping in Spanish moss. Lake Chicot offers sweeping, swampy vistas, but it’s perhaps best known for its surrounding beech-magnolia forest. However, we encourage you to visit each of our lakes and decide for yourself!

Does Louisiana have swimmable beaches?

Yes, Louisiana has several swimmable beaches. Holly Beach near Lake Charles is a great place to wade into the Gulf, and Cypremort Point Beach is a picturesque stretch of sand overlooking Vermilion Bay. Fontainebleau State Park on the banks of Lake Pontchartrain features a small sandy beach, with plenty of opportunities to hit the water.

Can you swim in the Gulf in Louisiana?

Yes, you can swim in the Gulf in Louisiana. Grand Isle, a small fishing village along the coast, features several Gulf beaches, including Grand Isle State Park, which takes up the entire northeast end of the town. Holly Beach, nicknamed the “Cajun Riviera,” is an unpretentious little strip of sand along the Gulf, perfect for swimming, fishing and shelling.