Calcasieu Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calcasieu Lake |
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Hurricane debris (2006)
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 Calcasieu Lake
Location in Louisiana
Calcasieu Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cameron / Calcasieu parishes, Louisiana, United States |
| Coordinates | 29°54′01″N 93°16′58″W / 29.90028°N 93.28278°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 76.8 sq mi (199 km2) |
| Average depth | 1 m (3.3 ft) |
Calcasieu Lake is a special kind of lake in southwest Louisiana, United States. It's mostly found in Cameron Parish. People who live nearby often call it Big Lake. This lake is about 17 miles (27 km) south of Lake Charles, Louisiana. You can drive along its west side on Louisiana Highway 27.
About Calcasieu Lake
Calcasieu Lake is a unique place because it has brackish water. This means the water is a mix of fresh water from rivers and salty water from the ocean. It's like a giant mixing bowl where the two types of water meet. This kind of environment is called an estuary. Estuaries are very important homes for many different plants and animals.
The lake covers a large area, about 76.8 square miles (199 square kilometers). It's not very deep, usually around 1 meter (3.3 feet). This shallow water helps sunlight reach the bottom, which is good for plants that fish like to eat or hide in.
Fishing Fun
Big Lake is super popular for fishing, especially among people who fish along the Gulf Coast. If you love to fish, this lake is a great spot to catch some amazing fish.
Some of the most common fish you can find here include:
- Red drum, also known as redfish. These are strong fish that put up a good fight!
- Spotted sea trout, often called speckled trout. Anglers (that's what we call people who fish) can sometimes catch really big ones here, weighing 7 pounds (3.2 kg) or even more!
- Flounder, which are flat fish that hide on the bottom.
- Shrimp, both brown and white kinds. Shrimp are important food for many other animals in the lake.
Because the lake is an estuary, it's a perfect nursery for many young fish and shrimp. This makes it a rich place for fishing and a vital part of the local ecosystem.
Pinky the Dolphin
Calcasieu Lake is also famous for a very special visitor. On June 24, 2007, a rare albino bottlenose dolphin was seen here. This dolphin was unique because it was pink! Its name is Pinky.
Pinky was spotted by a captain who runs fishing trips from Lake Charles. Albino animals have a condition called albinism, which means they don't have the usual color in their skin, hair, or eyes. This makes them look very light, sometimes even pink, like Pinky. Seeing an albino dolphin is very rare and exciting! Pinky has been seen many times since then, making her a local celebrity.
