Michael J Young's Page

We camped at Lake Bistineau State Park over the Labor Day weekend. Bistineau is one of our favorite places to paddle but we were concerned about the giant salvinia infestation and how it would effect the paddling.

The salvinia was very thick along the shore and out for about 50 or so yards. It looked like a lawn instead of a lake because the wind had just packed the salvinia up against the shoreline. Paddling out to an open spot was like paddling in molasses on a cold day. Once we got out to where there was a little water showing the paddling was much easier but the salvinia really cut down the glide immensely.

They are supposed to drain the lake this week to help abate the vegetative growth. That should do something about the bottom growing but there seems to be mixed opinions if drained will have much effect on the salvinia.

The wife did not like fighting the salvinia so we asked about other access to the lake or any waters the salvinia had not choked yet. We were advised to go to Dorcheat Bayou because the water was so nice there. We were not steered wrong. This bayou is absolutely gorgeous and since it is on the upper end of Lake Bistineau there is not much current. We definitely have to go back there and explore more and do a little fishing too.