If I don’t write it down, I will forget. Here is my trip report for November 6, 2026 at the Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area. If you aren’t familiar, this is a series of bayous and channels right off I-55 south of Manchac.

I prefer to kayak early in the morning and during the week so that I don’t have to worry about other people. In this case, there was no one else at the launch right off US 51. The weather was cool and calm. I saw one fishing boat right by the interstate, but that was it.

My goal was to proceed down the Shell Bank Bayou towards the lake. I figured I would run into hyacinth blocks – and I did. My real goal was just to fly my drone and get some photos (that part was successful). In the end, I made it about 1/4th the way to the lake. I passed through one hyacinth blockage and then turned around when I came to the second block.

Here are some photos.