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By Brian Fortson

St. Tammany Parish is blessed with an abundance of beautiful natural waterways. Hundreds of miles of navigable natural stream provide the base of an immense recreational resource. From the Tchefuncte River and all of its tributaries on the west side of the parish to the Pearl River system in the east, boating, fishing, and myriad other water-based activities are only a short ride away from anywhere. All of the major rivers and bayous can be accessed by launches open to the public.

Weekdays on most streams allow quiet and serene experiences in nature, while weekends explode with skiers, wave-runners and fishermen from all over the New Orleans metro area in all but the most tucked away secret spots. Besides the Tchefuncte, Bogue Falaya and Pearl Rivers, Bayou Lacombe, Bayou Liberty, Bayou Bonfouca and the vastness of Lake Pontchartrain are all favorite playgrounds for vessels of all sizes. Cane Bayou, the tributaries of the Tchefuncte, the intricate network of sloughs and bayous of the Honey Island Swamp, and the Bogue Chitto River in the north provide more secluded and intimate experiences better suited for canoes and other small boats. Whatever your boating fancy, you will find a place to exercise it in St. Tammany.