Drawdown for Aquatic Vegetation Control and Fish Habitat Improvement on Chicot Lake

Baton Rouge, Aug 05, 2026 - The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has scheduled a drawdown on Chicot Lake in Evangeline Parish for fish habitat improvement, organic reduction, and nuisance aquatic vegetation control.

The water control structure is scheduled to open on September 8, 2026, and the lake should dewater at a rate of 1.5 inches per day. The water will be lowered three feet below normal pool stage. The Chicot Lake control gates are scheduled for closure on January 4, 2027, to allow the lake to refill. Filling the lake at this time will ensure adequate water levels for springtime spawning.

During the drawdown, lake users are advised to use caution, as numerous obstructions are exposed during low water.

This action is a necessary component of LDWF’s plan to improve fish habitat for better fish production, improve access for recreational activities, and control nuisance aquatic vegetation growth. An annual cycle of high and low water fluctuation can provide beneficial effects similar to a natural overflow lake system.

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