Laissez les bons temps rouler!” is a Cajun expression meaning “Let the good times roll!” It strongly conveys the “joie de vivre” (joy of living) attitude that pervades south Louisiana. And I’ve found it’s a good motto to follow anytime I visit Lake Charles, a city of 72,000 in Calcasieu Parish, just east of the Louisiana/Texas line.
I first visited Lake Charles in 1990 and immediately fell in love with it. The people I met were genuinely kind, fun-loving folks whose smiles and laughter were contagious. They took great joy in sharing their little slice of heaven. We fished. We hunted. We went birdwatching. We danced. We sang. We shared wonderful meals. And before I knew it, I was hooked. I knew I wanted to come back, again and again. And I did.
Now, 25 years later, whenever I want to get away from it all, I set my sights on Lake Charles and go. It’s not too far — 363 miles from Little Rock — so if I leave early, I can be sitting at my favorite table in Steamboat Bill’s restaurant by lunchtime, filling my belly with fresh oysters, shrimp, crabs, crawfish tails, red beans and rice, boudin balls and … oh, my goodness, cher, I’m making myself so hungry just thinking about it!
There’s so much to see and do in the city and surrounding area, it will be hard packing it all into this short article. But because I want you to visit Lake Charles and enjoy all the fun things you can do there, I’m going to do my best. Here are five reasons you should make Lake Charles your next destination for outdoor fun. Grab your binoculars. Pack your fishing pole and shotgun. Get your camera, hat and sunscreen, and let’s go.
1. Incredible fishing
For those who love fishing, the area around Lake Charles is paradise. You can cast a line in nearby lakes and streams for freshwater species such as largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and bream, and even unusual species such as the gigantic alligator gar.
Fishing for saltwater species is excellent, too. Lake Calcasieu, known locally as Big Lake, is one of the world’s top hot spots for big speckled trout, one of the best-eating fish in Southern saltwater. This honey hole, 12 miles long and 9 miles wide, routinely produces specks in the 5- to 8-pound range, with an occasional 9- to 11-pounder. Big redfish are common as well, and many anglers visit in fall for the superb flounder fishing. If you catch all three species in one day, you’ve got yourself a Cajun Grand Slam.
A bonus option for Lake Calcasieu fishermen is a series of gas and oil rigs found just offshore. Known locally as the “short rigs,” these near-shore production platforms are extremely productive, especially during summer. As the Gulf waters warm, a myriad of species, including tripletail, sheepshead, trout, Spanish mackerel, ling, king mackerel, shark, redfish and jack crevalle, congregate around the rigs, providing nonstop action for savvy anglers.
For guided fishing, I highly recommend Gotta Go Charters (www.lakecalcasieu.com). Over the years, owner Cap’n Sammie Faulk has helped me and my family members catch more fish than I could count. For additional guides, visit
www.creolenaturetrail.org/essential-services/fishing-guides.
2. Blue-ribbon waterfowl hunting
Ever wonder where the ducks and geese go when they disappear from Arkansas early in the season? Most head straight to the marshes, flooded timber and rice fields of southwest Louisiana, which is home to some of the best public-land waterfowling anywhere in the United States. Two national wildlife refuges come to mind first — Lacassine and Sabine. There’s plenty of marsh to go around in these federally managed areas, and hunters willing to put in a little work usually have banner hunts. Mallards, pintails, teal and specklebelly (white-fronted) geese make up most of the harvest, but you might also kill wood ducks, redheads, ringnecks, canvasbacks, gadwalls, wigeons or snow geese.
Expert guides also are available to make your hunts successful. You’ll find some listed at www.creolenaturetrail.org/essential-services/hunting-guides.
3. Birding that’s out of this world
On our last visit to Lake Charles, my wife, Theresa, and I spent a day with guide Bobby Jordan at Grosse Savanne Eco-Tours (www.grossesavanne-ecotours.com), a 50,000-acre property just south of Lake Charles near Bell City. Traveling by boat and car through fresh and saltwater marshes, cypress swamps, native coastal prairies, pine plantations and agricultural lands, we saw and photographed an incredible variety of birds, including roseate spoonbills, anhingas, crested caracaras, mottled ducks and a rare vermilion flycatcher — more than 50 species in all. It was one of the most fun days we ever spent in southwest Louisiana, a place others have proclaimed one of the top 10 birding areas in the United States. Over 400 species of birds migrate to and through the area. And the folks in this area actually cater to those who enjoy birding. Whether your interest is spending the day leisurely exploring nature trails, taking a boat tour through secluded marshes or waiting in a blind for that perfect photograph, you’ll find it all available here in this beautiful corner of the world.
4. The Amazing Cajun Nature Trail
Speaking of birding and wildlife watching, any visit to southwest Louisiana should include a drive around the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road, a 180-mile tour route that immerses the visitor in nature and The Bayou State’s unique culture. Established in 1975, the trail takes you through three national wildlife refuges, where paved walking trails and auto tour routes allow you to get up-close looks at alligators, nutrias, marsh birds and much more.
Kick off your journey at the new Creole Nature Trail Adventure Point, a free, fun attraction where you can learn the best places to spot gators and migrating birds, enjoy hands-on displays, smell mouth-watering aromas of Cajun/Creole cooking and “play along” with a Cajun and Zydeco band. It’s at 2740 Ruth St., south of the Sulphur/Creole Nature Trail exit (exit 20) on Interstate 10. For more information, call (337) 436-9588 or visit www.creolenaturetrail.org.
5. Other fun stuff
I’ve used up all my space already, and as I thought, I’ve barely scratched the surface of fun outdoor activities near Lake Charles. You can go shelling and surf fishing on miles of beaches, catch fresh blue crabs (all you want!) from the side of the roads, take an exhilarating airboat ride through the swamps, sample Louisiana’s favorite local snack along the Boudin Trail, enjoy gaming in local casinos and eat some of the best seafood on the planet.
Lucky for you, there’s one place you can go to get
information about all these things and much more: www.visitlakecharles.com. Or stop by the Southwest Louisiana Welcome Center when you start your visit, and let the wonderful folks at the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau help you get the most enjoyment out of your visit. They’re at 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive, just off Interstate 10, where you’ll find Internet access, a picnic area, room for the kids to run off some energy, a pond with alligators and a nice view of the lake and river. Tell them I sent you!