In a joint effort between the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the Northwest Louisiana Game and Fish Preserve Commission, construction of a new public boat launch is currently being completed on Clear Lake. The launch is not yet open to the public, as a fence and bumpers still need to be placed along the perimeter of the parking lot to keep vehicles from falling off the edge. The launch will remain closed to public traffic until these safety measures are put in place. LDWF will announce an official opening date as soon as it is known.
This boat launch is located approximately 15 miles northeast of Natchitoches on Hwy 1226, 4.1 miles north of U.S. Hwy 84 E.
The launch was constructed to meet local demand, as the Commission estimates approximately 2,400 boaters will utilize the launch each year. Funding for the project was a joint effort between LDWF and the Louisiana legislature, which each contributed $125,000 for the $250,000 project.
A limestone access road and parking lot have also been put in place adjacent to the concrete boat ramp.
To facilitate ingress and egress to the boat ramp, the project also included the removal of sediment from the existing canal to a depth of 4 feet. The canal, which has been in place since the 1940s, has been continuously maintained to ensure adequate access depth for boaters accessing Clear Lake from the boat ramp.