D'Arbonne Lake Mega Ramp and Pleasure Island Road

Lake D’Arbonne is a reservoir located near and around Farmerville. This remotely located site is a popular fishing area. A long concrete dam was built on Bayou Darbonne a half-century ago, and the resulting lake took shape behind it. Lake D’Arbonne State Park, a state-maintained camping and recreation area, sits adjacent to the lake.    

Long known as a productive site for crappie fishermen, birders began using this quiet area for its views deep into Darbonne Lake on one side and into a large cove of the lake on the other.

Bird the entire road, stopping frequently to look at both sides of the road with binoculars. Whenever birds of interest are located in the lake, set up a spotting scope and tripod for a closer view.

This is an outstanding fall/winter/spring site, when the lake holds many species of waterfowl, wading birds, gulls and terns, and many other waterbirds. Eighteen species of geese and ducks have been recorded here, including outstanding diving species such as Canvasback, Redhead, Greater Scaup, and Common Goldeneye. Pied-billed, Horned, Eared, and Western Grebes have all been recorded here, as have Bonaparte’s Gull, Forster’s Tern, and Common Loon. Other waterbirds of interest include Spotted Sandpiper, Double-crested and neotropic Cormorants, American White Pelican, Osprey, Bald Eagle, and Belted Kingfisher.

Any of five swallow species can be observed cruising the lake, depending on the season. Birders should also continuously check the trees lining the road for passerines such as flycatchers, vireos, warblers, tanagers, and grosbeaks, especially during migration periods.

There are no amenities here. There is roadside parking along Mega Ramp Road. There is also ample parking near the boat launch at the end of the road.