The weather is cooling. Pumpkin spice is in the air. Christmas is right around the corner.

Ahhhh, yes — the perfect time for kayaking in south Louisiana.

With bayous and lakes and rivers and ponds around practically every corner, the Gulf Coast region from eastern Texas to the Florida Panhandle is a slice of heaven for the flat water paddler. Likewise, the kayaking opportunities in and close to Baton Rouge are many.

On a recent afternoon at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park in St. Martinville, sunning alligators were more numerous than people in watercraft, but the mosquitoes were minimal due to the cool breeze. If alligators are not your thing, a visit to Cane River Lake in Natchitoches is a great place to enjoy the water with fewer prehistoric friends sharing your outdoor experience.

If you have your own kayak, beginning your adventure is as simple as finding a public waterway with water access. Some boat launches charge fees for all boats, so be sure to check before leaving the dock. If you don’t have your own vessel, rentals are widely available at state and local parks, plus at lakes including Cane River Lake and Lake Martin near Breaux Bridge, and at Gulf Coast beaches.

Amanda Takacs, BREC's assistant director of natural resource management, reports that BREC offers rentals through Greenwood Park and will soon have options at other BREC locations. Takacs adds that BREC is developing a blueway system which will allow paddlers to connect waterways such as Bayou Manchac, Ward Creek and the Amite River.

The blueway launch at Bayou Manchac Park is open and on a typical day, it offers an easy paddle on slow-moving water through a “Historic and Scenic River.” This designation by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries means the waterway requires protection and preservation of its aesthetic, scenic, recreational, fish, wildlife, ecological, archaeological, geological, botanical and other natural and physical features. It's a treat to have such a beautiful place to paddle so close to home.

If you believe a day on the water is better spent fishing, John Williams agrees. Williams, owner of Lafayette outfitter Pack & Paddle, says, “We live in a state that is amazing for a kayak angler. We can choose from what is the best inshore redfishing in the world, to amazing speckled trout fishing to great largemouth bass fishing to fishing creeks like the Amite for spotted bass. All of this is easily accessible by kayak.”

Barry Faulk, who recently discovered the joy of kayak fishing, is enjoying discovering the places Williams has been exploring for decades. Faulk notes that “options are plenty, especially in the fishing kayak market.”

Williams adds that the “beauty of these craft is that they are lightweight and easy to launch almost anywhere. Their stealth and shallow draft allow the angler into areas not accessible by motor craft.”

This stealth and shallow draft makes kayaks an excellent option for birders, too. Kayakers can quietly observe both migrating and local birds in their natural habitats. Watching a snowy egret fishing next to a great blue heron with roseate spoonbills flying overhead is a memory for a lifetime.

Convinced it’s time to give kayaking a try? Begin with renting kayaks or joining local outfitters to learn the basics before purchasing your own. Faulk recommends attending kayak demo days with outfitters like Pack & Paddle or Massey’s. Your intended activity will guide your choice of boat and related equipment. For instance, a fishing kayak is quite different than a racing kayak.

At a minimum, necessary kayak accessories include a paddle and a PFD (some still refer to these as “life jackets”). Remember to pack water and sunscreen, toss your keys and snacks into a dry bag, and you are ready for fun on the water.

And if anyone tells you that kayaking is only a summer sport, check the weather — paddle sports are perfect for all seasons in south Louisiana.

For more info on BREC’s paddling opportunities, visit https://www.brec.org/blueways. To find local paddle clubs, Google “paddle club Louisiana” for current websites and membership information.