Lake Bruin State Park is located in St. Joseph, Louisiana. The park is located between Lake Bruin, State Park Road, and Louisiana Highway 604. Lake Bruin is a u-shaped body of water and is called an oxbow lake. The lake has over 3,000 acres of water surface. Cypress trees surround the lake and have been documented by travelers from as early as 1540. The park itself is 53 acres and began development in 1956. Visitors have access to incredible fishing, water sports, and outdoor recreational activities.
In 1928, the lake and park were originally established as a fish hatchery. Today, the lake is specifically for fishing and is equipped with three spacious fishing piers, a boat launch that is open year round, and a boat shed for convenient docking. Boats and canoes are also available to rent. Fishing can be done all year, however large mouth bass are best caught during the months of April, May, June, September, and October. White perch, also called crappie, can be caught swimming around the piers in the early spring. Bluegills are best caught in the shallower waters that are located at the ends of the lake. There is a fish cleaning station nearby as well as grills so that visitors can easily prepare and enjoy their catch.
Swimming, boating, and water sports are also very popular at Lake Bruin State Park. A sandy area along the lake is specifically designated for swimmers to enjoy and is equipped with a bathhouse nearby. The day use area is complete with picnic tables, barbeque grills, restrooms, and play areas. A covered pavilion is also available to protect visitors from rain and sun. Many of the facilities are wheelchair accessible.
Camping is also a popular activity at Lake Bruin State Park. The park offers 36 campsites equipped with water and electrical hook-up. There are also 12 premium campsites which are in prime locations in addition to locations that are only for tents, which are complete with a tent pad and fire ring. There are also group camping areas that can be reserved as well as an area to do laundry. Pets are allowed in the park, although not in any buildings such as the cabins. Cabins are complete with basic kitchen amenities, linens, and pillows.
The climates are moderate at Lake Bruin. Summer afternoons may reach the 90s and will drop into the 70s come nighttime. In the winter, temperatures peak somewhere in the 50s and can drop into the 30s during the night.
Lake Bruin State Park is near many other attractions. The Town of St. Joseph is rich with history of the Civil War and is surrounded by historic sites, antique stores, wildlife, and many cultural shops and attractions. Winter Quarters State Historic Site is also near by and is one of the few plantations that has survived the Civil War. Tensas National Wildlife Refuge is a 57,000 acre park for people who would like to hunt, hike, fish, canoe, and learn. Buckhorn Wildlife Management Area features nearly 9,000 acres of hardwood forest for those who want to try their hand at fishing, hunting, and wildlife and nature appreciation.
From Sunday through Thursday, the gates of Lake Bruin State Park are open from 6:00am til 9:00pm. On Friday and Saturday nights, the gates close at 10:00pm. There is an entrance fee of $1 per person, while children under age 3 and seniors over age 62 can enter for free. For more information about Lake Bruin State Park, you can visit them online at http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/ilkbruin.aspx or call them at 318 766 3530. For reservations, you can call 877 226 7652. The park can also be written at 201 State Park Road, St. Joseph, Louisiana 71366.