For most people, the thought of Southern Louisiana conjures visions of swamps, bayous, cypress trees, alligators, and Cajun cuisine. The Manchac Wildlife Management Area features all of those natural elements and is only a short drive from some of the best food in the Pelican State. This scenic wetland is bracketed by two of the most iconic lakes in Louisiana, offering visitors an incredible array of outdoor activities, including birding, fishing, and boating. Given that it’s only 45 minutes from downtown New Orleans, it is a perfect day trip for anyone staying in the Crescent City or visiting Southeast Louisiana.
Manchac WMA encompasses just over 8,300 acres of the Manchac Swamp in St. John the Baptist Parish. The WMA is bounded by Lake Pontchartrain, America’s second-largest estuary, to the east and Lake Maurepas to the west. These two lakes are connected by Pass Manchac, which forms the northern border of the WMA. In addition to those brackish water lakes, there is a 500-acre freshwater pond inside Manchac WMA, as well as numerous canals. A mixture of palmettos, along with willow, cypress, tupelo, and maple trees, accent the prairie grass and aquatic vegetation.
A variety of wildlife can be found within this remote, rugged landscape. There are, of course, alligators, as well as the usual array of other swamp creatures, such as turtles, snakes, and nutria. There are also deer and an incredible assortment of birds, including egrets, ibis, owls, woodpeckers, and anhingas. However, one trio of avians is what most impresses visitors. Ospreys, roseate spoonbills, and bald eagles all reside within the Manchac WMA. The one caveat for birders is that, since this is swamp land, a boat or kayak is necessary to properly tour the WMA.