Paddle south along the bayou and take Bayou Traverse to get deep into the wetland. Retrace the route back to the levee for a paddle of about five miles. A side trip into Lake Pontchartrain will add about an hour to the trip. These wetlands are home to bald eagles and waterfowl such as teal, pintail and gadwall. On the ground, game animals such as swamp rabbit, squirrel and whitetail deer are found here.
Alligators are abundant.
Local environmental groups frequently paddle LaBranche using the wetland as an open classroom to teach about wetland ecosystems. With the exception of these trips, paddlers will have to supply their own canoes to visit the wetland. 1999, The Times-Picayune. Used with permission.