Raccourci Old River, also called Old River, is a long

ox-bow lake An oxbow lake is a U-shaped lake or pool that forms when a wide meander of a river is cut off, creating a free-standing body of water. The word "oxbow" can also refer to a U-shaped bend in a river or stream, whether or not it is cut off from th ...

located in northern

Pointe Coupee Parish Pointe Coupee Parish ( or ; ) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 20,758. The parish seat is New Roads. Pointe Coupee Parish is part of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Metropolitan Stati ...

and western

West Feliciana Parish West Feliciana Parish (French: ''Paroisse de Feliciana Ouest''; Spanish: ''Parroquia de Feliciana Occidental'') is a civil parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. At the 2020 census, the population was 15,310. The parish seat is St. F ...

in Louisiana, USA. It is also sometimes called Old River creating some confusion with the other

Old River Old River may refer to: * Old River (Belize) * Old River (Tasmania), Australia * The Old River, in the Australian state of Victoria In the United States: * Old River (Clay County, Arkansas) a lake in Clay County, Arkansas * Old River (Cross Co ...

. It encompasses approximately . It is located outside the Mississippi River Protective Levee system near the communities of Lacour, LA and Innis, LA. The lake was once the main channel of the

Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...

. The northern end of the lake has become silted in over the years, while the southern end of the lake is still open to the main Mississippi River Channel at certain times of the year. This accessibility is dependent upon the water level in the channel, known as "the Narrows", that connects the two bodies of water. The land mass in the north eastern part of the lake is known as Raccourci Island and is located in

. The lake forms part of the boundary line between Pointe Coupee and West Feliciana Parishes.

Fishing

This waterway is known for

fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch fish. Fish are often caught as wildlife from the natural environment (Freshwater ecosystem, freshwater or Marine ecosystem, marine), but may also be caught from Fish stocking, stocked Body of water, ...

boating Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels (such as rowing and paddle boats), focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, suc ...

, and

duck hunting Waterfowl hunting is the practice of hunting aquatic birds such as ducks, geese and other waterfowls or shorebirds for sport and meat. Waterfowl are hunted in crop fields where they feed, or in areas with bodies of water such as rivers, lakes ...

. Among the fish caught in Old River,

crappie Crappies () are two species of North American freshwater fish of the genus ''Pomoxis'' in the family Centrarchidae (sunfishes). Both species of crappies are popular game fish among recreational anglers. Etymology The genus name ''Pomoxi ...

(known as sac-a-lait in southern Louisiana)Sac-a-lait or Crappie
are probably the most sought after. Other fish species include bluegill, largemouth bass, several species of catfish, largemouth buffalo, and the endangered paddlefish. It is a popular fishing area for commercial fishermen, who tend to fill their bag limits on a regular basis.

References

{{authority control Baton Rouge metropolitan area Lakes of Louisiana Oxbow lakes of the United States Bodies of water of Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana Bodies of water of West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana