Lake Charles, Lake in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States

Lake Charles is a shallow lake in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States. It sits west of the city that shares its name and is fed by the Calcasieu River, with muddy banks and cypress trees along the water's edge.

The lake formed as part of the Calcasieu River system and was named after Charles Sallier, who settled the area in the late 1700s. Over time, the surrounding land was cleared for timber, which changed the shoreline and the water's flow.

Local people often fish from the banks at dawn, and the lake's name comes from Charles Sallier, an early settler. You can see small wooden piers and boats tied along the western shore, where families gather on weekends.

The lake is best reached by car, and public boat ramps make it easy to get onto the water. Early mornings are cooler and less windy, which helps if you plan to fish or paddle near the shore.

The lake is known for holding alligator gar, a fish that can grow very large and has a long snout. Anglers sometimes spot them rolling at the surface in summer, a sight that surprises visitors.