Cane Bayou

Cane Bayou, is a state natural and scenic stream  that flows into Lake Pontchartrain from the north shore between Lacombe and Mandeville. The bayou is the western boundary of Fontainebleau State Park and the eastern boundary of the Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Of all of the streams that enter or leave Lake Pontchartrain, Cane Bayou is the least impacted as it is still mostly in a natural state. The northern half is forested with glimpses of scattered stands of cypress. The second half nearer the lake flows through an intermediate marsh with sloughs that provide access to the state park and the national refuge.

Cane Bayou as measured on a topo map is a mile from the launch to Lake Pontchartrain—two miles round trip. This is a very modest distance but a paddler can leave the bayou to explore the adjacent refuge and Fontainebleau State Park for an almost unlimited distance.