Grand Isle’s new kayak launch completed

Site is located mid-island alongside the LSU Sea Grant Oyster Hatchery

Workers were dumping limestone Thursday afternoon and putting the finishing touches on Grand Isle’s new kayak launch, which officials hoped would be up and running by this weekend.

Located mid-island off of Ludwig Lane alongside the LSU Sea Grant Oyster Hatchery, the site features a graded road, a parking area and a safe, convenient grassy launch with a shell-and-sand bottom to put boats in.

“We should be able to use it this weekend, that’s what I’m pushing for,” said Wayne Keller, executive director of the Grand Isle Port Commission. “It’s almost in the middle of the island, and there’s a lot of kayak areas – inlets and coves – for people to fish near there. It works out pretty good.”

Keller said the land where the site is located is owned by the Port Commission, and is convenient for anglers to access Bayou Rigaud, Fifi Island and Dutch Island.

“I know there’s been a real need for it,” he said. “A lot of kayakers aren’t crazy about launching amongst the powerboats, plus most of the time during the summer, the prevailing winds are from the south.

“Being on the north side of the island, this gives you some protection so you don’t have all the turbulence you get in Caminada Pass.”

Keller said he hoped to have signs up this weekend so kayakers on the island for Ride the Bull V on Saturday could find the launch and use it after the tournament.

Directions to the new Grand Isle kayak launch site: Turn onto Ludwig Lane from La. Hwy 1. Turn left just before the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Marine Fisheries Lab. Proceed about 500 feet, take a right on LSU Lane, then take a left before you encounter a construction area.

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Patrick Bonin is the former editor of Louisiana Sportsman magazine and LouisianaSportsman.com.