Directions:  From the intersection of I-20 and I-49 in Shreveport, go east on I-20 for 67.9 miles to Exit 85 in Ruston, LA.  Take the exit and go north on US-167/N. Vienna St. for 12.0 miles into Dubach, LA.  Turn right (east) on SR-824-2/Wynn St./Enloe St. for 0.3 miles to James Lake on the left (northeast)  side of the street.

Access:  Hours of Operation: Park is open 24/7. Restrooms are only open from sunrise-8:00pm
Fee: Free
Handicap Access:  Yes, Mixed gravel and paved
Limitations:  None

Amenities:  Parking, Observation structures, picnic, restrooms

Description: 

Adjacent to the charming communities of Dubach, 45 acre James Lake is encircled by an easily accessible walking trail., which traverses beautiful stands of bottom land hardwoods and mixed pine-hardwoods.  The associated bottom land hardwood habitat is particularly important to neotropical nesting species such as Prothonotary Warbler and Northern Parulas, along with Yellow-throated Vireo and Acadian Flycatcher. 

Expectedly, wading  birds frequent the lake, especially Great Egret, Great  Blue Heron, and Green Heron.  The cattail colony at the southern edge of the lake hosts nesting Red-winged Blackbirds.  Look also for interesting wetland migrants such as Least Bittern, Sora, Marsh Wren, and Common Yellowthroat in the cattails during the fall and spring months.  From late winter through early spring, a large colony of Black Vultures utilizes James Lake both for roosting and courtship displays. 

The pasture lands and their associated shaggy fence rows across the street from the lake are almost always active with various birds.  There, look for species such as Eastern Bluebird, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Meadowlark, and Brewer's Blackbird.