Although small, this park offers many recreational opportunities
Located at 201 State Park Road in St. Joseph, Lake Bruin State Park covers 53 acres of Tensas Parish on the cypress-lined shoreline of its namesake waterway.
Originally established as a state fish hatchery in 1928 on Lake Bruin, the facility became a Civilian Conservation Corps camp in the 1930s for workers building levees along the Mississippi River. The site became a state park in 1956.
“The primary attraction at the park is Lake Bruin,” said Shane Harrell, the park manager. “One of the largest oxbows in Louisiana, Lake Bruin covers about 3,000 acres. People can launch boats in the park to access the lake. Park amenities include a splash pad, swimming area at the beach, two lakeside cabins, day rental pavilion and a playground for the little ones.”
The horseshoe-shaped oxbow became a lake when the Mississippi River changed course years ago. The mighty river now flows about a mile east of the lake. Peter Bryan Bruin once owned a plantation on the lake, giving both the park and the lake its name. Long before that, Native Americans lived in the area.
“The area was originally inhabited by the Taensa people, an indigenous group related to the Natchez who lived along the waterways of the area,” Harrell said. “Tensas Parish is named for the Taensa.”
About a half-mile wide and nearly 12 miles long, the lake averages about 20 to 30 feet deep. Some holes drop to more than 55 feet deep. The open waters of the former river channel offer water skiing, boating, paddling, swimming and other recreational activities.
“Netterville’s Landing on the north side of the lake is an all-in-one stop for boaters and lake visitors in the summer,” Harrell said. “Each year, Netterville’s Landing hosts the Thunder on Bruin airshow. Boaters can launch from the park and head to the north to enjoy the show.”
Great fishing
Many people visit for the great fishing. The lake holds good populations of largemouth bass, crappie, various bream species, catfish and other species. In the spring, bass, bluegill and other bream species spawn in the shallows. The best bluegill fishing occurs in the shallow flats at both ends of the lake.
“Lake Bruin State Park offers a family friendly atmosphere,” Harrell said. “A hidden gem of sorts, the lake comes alive in the summer months and offers a quiet lakeside reprieve in the cooler months. Two boardwalks and two piers provide lakeside fishing. Rental boats are available. Kayakers and paddleboarders paddle among the cypress trees.”
The lake and surrounding lands attract various bird species. Many birds migrate to the area in the fall and depart in the spring. Park visitors might spot red-bellied woodpeckers, wood ducks, grebes, coots, kingfishers and great blue herons among other feathered creatures.
Overnight guests can stay in improved campsites with water and electrical hookup. The park also offers tent camping. Some visitors prefer to rent one of the cabins.
“The park has two one-bedroom lakeside cabins that sleep up to four people,” Harrell said. “St. Joseph, known to locals as ‘St. Joe,’ is a friendly, mom-and-pop community less than a 10-minute drive from the park. People can eat at several restaurants. Try the quintessential delta barbeque or enjoy an evening of karaoke. Just minutes from the park, the Boone & Company General Store offers many necessities for area visitors.”
While in the area, visit the Poverty Point World Heritage Site, (www.povertypoint.us). Located at 6859 Louisiana Highway 577 in Pioneer, the Native American settlement dates to about 3,400 years ago.
Lake Bruin State Park stays open all year long. For more information, call 318-766-3530 or go to lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/lake-bruin-state-park.
