ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. (KLFY) — A second lake in St. Martin Parish is set to have its water level lowered for environmental reasons, authorities said.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has scheduled a drawdown on Lake Martin in St. Martin Parish for nuisance aquatic vegetation control, organic bottom-layer compaction and fish habitat improvement.

Previously, the LDWF started lowering Henderson Lake on Aug. 4. 

The drawdown is designed to reduce the amount of aquatic vegetation in the lake, officials said.

The Martin Lake water control structure is scheduled to open Sept. 2. The lake will be lowered 2 to 3 feet below normal pool stage of 10.5 feet mean sea level and should lower at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per day.

The Lake Martin control gates are scheduled to close on Dec. 31 to allow the lake to refill for winter and early spring recreational activities, LDWF said.

The lake is scheduled to return to pool stage by Jan. 31, 2026 by pumping in water from Ruth Canal. Filling the lake at this time will ensure adequate water levels for spring spawning, officials said.

During the drawdown, lake users are advised to use caution, as numerous obstructions normally not seen are present.

While the drawdown may impact navigation in parts of the southern end of the lake for duck hunters in late fall and winter, authorities said they anticipate hunting and fishing on the majority of the lake will not be affected. The lake will remain open to fishing during this time.

For additional information regarding the drawdown, contact Brad Launey, LDWF Biologist Manager, at blauney@wlf.la.gov or (337) 735-8712. 

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