In Iberville Parish, life has always been lived close to the water. Spring is the perfect time to slip a boat into one of Iberville Parish’s six hundred miles of waterways and a wealth of waterborne experiences awaits. And increasingly, boaters, canoers, birders, photographers and recreational fishermen are discovering what the hunters, trappers, loggers and fisher-folk of Iberville have always known—that from here, the astonishing riches and beauty of the Atchafalaya Basin are easily accessible, and it all begins only about fifteen miles from downtown Baton Rouge.
Biologist John Clark knows it. Iberville’s Environmental Manager is a knowledgeable guide to the riches of his adopted parish and to the Basin itself, which he describes as “one of the most diverse ecological systems on the planet.” He is also proud of Iberville’s fourteen public boat launches and the different sorts of Basin experiences they offer. “The Bayou Grosse Tete launch is perfect for canoeing,” says Clark. “It’s a lazy river, draped with live oaks, and the native vegetation either side is great for birdwatching.” “The Bayou Sorrel launch will take you into the interior. Within two or three miles you’re deep in the Atchafalaya, surrounded by swamp, cypress trees, alligators, egrets. And locals—fishing crawfish, choupique … You know, the best spillway crawfish are from Bayou Pigeon and Bayou Sorrel.” For fishing, Clark likes the Rama Boat Launch, beneath the I-10 interstate at Rama (“take a GPS,”) and the White Castle Boat Launch, which leads into the quieter Bay Natchez. He points powerboaters and skiiers towards Bayou Plaquemine, Grand River and the Intracoastal Canal. Then there’s the birdwatching. Iberville has two very different wildlife refuges. Sherburne Wildlife Management Area (Exit I-10 at Rama) is a large one-time rice farm whose open bodies of shallow water make it prime territory for spotting wading birds and rare swallowtail kites. In June Sherburne is also descended upon by flocks of endangered wood storks—an event that attracts flocks of birders, too. The Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge offers more of a wooded trail environment, and abundant opportunities to spot canopy and migratory songbirds, particularly during the spring. “Preserving our waterways is important for local culture and heritage,” explains Clark. “And with more people interested in getting outside—to canoe, to fish, to birdwatch, to connect with nature.”
Find a comprehensive guide to accessing Iberville Parish's water wonderland at visitiberville.com.
