Boat launches & fishing

Calcasieu Point Landing

Lake Charles · Calcasieu Parish

Industrial Canal and Intracoastal Waterway, near Turner's Bay and Calcasieu Lake · Brackish

3 lanes

Three-lane parish ramp that is the quickest public launch from Lake Charles to Turner's Bay and Big Lake for speckled trout, redfish and flounder. A Hurricane Laura repair project started in 2026: the ramp and parking stay open, but parts of the pier and the revetment are closed to fishing while crews work.

• Fishing pier
• Kayak launch
• Bank fishing
• More than one lane
• +4 more

Hackberry Boat Launch

Hackberry · Cameron Parish

Calcasieu Ship Channel and Calcasieu Lake · Brackish

2 lanes

Parish concrete ramp on the ship channel at Hackberry, the closest public launch to the west side of Calcasieu Lake for speckled trout, redfish and flounder. Expect ship and barge traffic in the channel.

• More than one lane
• Concrete ramp

Prien Lake Park

Lake Charles · Calcasieu Parish

Prien Lake (Calcasieu River) · Brackish

4 lanes · Free

Four-lane parish ramp with a floating dock and a separate kayak launch on Prien Lake, rebuilt in 2019 to fit longer boats and trailers. Good for speckled trout and redfish on the lake; expect heavy boat and ship traffic, so paddlers should hug the shoreline.

• Free
• Kayak launch
• Crabbing
• Courtesy dock
• +5 more

Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge

Grand Chenier · Cameron Parish

Joseph Harbor Bayou and canal (tidal) and the refuge's interior freshwater canals via East End Locks · Brackish

4 lanes · No launch fee listed; LDWF WMA Access Permit required

Two double concrete launches off LA 82 east of the refuge headquarters: Joseph Harbor for tidal salt and brackish water (redfish, trout, crabs, shrimp) and East End for interior fresh water (bass, catfish). Tidal: low tides and north winds can make Joseph Harbor unlaunchable; canoes and kayaks are not allowed on the refuge.

• More than one lane
• Trailer parking
• Restrooms
• Concrete ramp

Sam Houston Jones State Park

Lake Charles · Calcasieu Parish

West Fork of the Calcasieu River · Freshwater

2 lanes · $3 per person park entrance fee (seniors 62+ and children 3 and under free)

State park with two launches on the West Fork of the Calcasieu River, a calm freshwater stretch for bass, bream and paddling. A self-serve kayak rental kiosk sits by the launch; park entry is charged per person.

• Trailer parking
• Boat & kayak rentals
• Restrooms
• Concrete ramp
• +2 more

White Sand Canoe Rental

Mittie · Allen Parish

Whiskey Chitto Creek (Ouiska Chitto) · Freshwater

Canoe outfitter at the LA 26 bridge in Mittie running the Whiskey Chitto Recreation Area, with about a 9-mile, 4 to 6 hour float, shuttles, primitive campsites, showers and a store. Takes cash and card, not checks.

• Kayak launch
• Boat & kayak rentals
• Restrooms
• Camping

Alligator Park

Starks · Calcasieu Parish

Old River Slough (Sabine River) · Freshwater

1 lane

Wooded parish park north of Starks on Old River Slough, a Sabine River backwater, with a ramp, a fishing pier and fishing from the bridge. The launch closes when the Sabine floods.

• Fishing pier
• Bank fishing
• Restrooms
• Concrete ramp
• +2 more

Anthony Ferry Boat Launch

Sulphur · Calcasieu Parish

Houston River at the West Fork of the Calcasieu River · Freshwater

Parish ramp off Houston River Road north of Sulphur giving access to the Houston River and West Fork. Popular with kayakers; it is among the first launches the parish closes in high water.

• Concrete ramp

Bayou Adventure

Lake Charles · Calcasieu Parish

West Fork of the Calcasieu River · Freshwater

Single kayak $20 for 1 hour to $50 for 4 hours; tandem $35 to $65, plus park entry

Self-serve kayak rental kiosk by the Sam Houston Jones boat launch with single and tandem kayaks, paddles and life jackets unlocked through an app, for 1, 2 or 4 hours on the West Fork.

• Kayak launch
• Boat & kayak rentals

Bayou Glamping Co.

Westlake · Calcasieu Parish

Calcasieu River · Brackish

Rentals by advance reservation only

Riverside glamping site in Westlake that rents single and tandem kayaks by reservation, for pickup on site or delivery to Prien Lake Park, the Lakefront, Riverside Park, Anthony Ferry or White Oak Park. It also offers guided kayak tours.

• Boat & kayak rentals
• Camping