Talk:Lake Pontchartrain

From SkipperGuide, the online cruising guide for sailing areas around the world

Tips

Lake Pontchartrain, being entirely an inland lake or bay, creates a sense of security that can be deceiving. The shallowness and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico makes the Lake trecherous very quickly. In summertime, squalls can pop up unexpectedly and create very large (6ft.) swells with a very short frequency. Combined with winds in the 30-50kts., these summer squalls can be deadly. Again, in the winter months, prevailing North breezes combined with the aforementioned wave sets creates difficult sailing conditions. Remember, there are no natural inlets to speak of that can protect you in the open lake. The only protection is usually offer in the various harbors and marinas which are concentrated in select areas.