Where To Find Louisiana’s Massive Alligator Hotspots

When you think about Louisiana, there's a lot of things that immediately come to mind: Mardi Gras, crawfish, beignets, the French Quarter, gumbo, the bayou, etc.. But, another thing near the top of the list has to be alligators.

Believe it or not, Louisiana has the largest alligator population in the world - with over 2 million wild gators in the state (and over another million living on farms and in captivity). To put that in perspective, Florida is second on the list with an estimated 1.3 million Gators in the state - total. So, kind of a big gap between first & second place.

Where to Find Alligators in Louisiana

This is Louisiana, you don't have too look all that hard to find an alligator. Gators can pop up everywhere and anywhere in this state. Here in Shreveport-Bossier alone, we've had gator's attack cop cars, pop up in neighborhoods and public parks. My point - they're all over the place.

But, if you want to increase your odds of seeing an alligator, there's plenty of places to go. According to AZ Animals, these are the most 'Alligator Infested Lakes' in Louisiana. I hate to use the phrase 'infested' since you know that's kind of their home and we just use it.

READ MORE: States With the Biggest Alligator Populations

Lakes With the Most Alligators In Louisiana

Here's the list according to AZ Animals...and believe it or not, 2 lakes are in the Shreveport area.

1) Lake Martin - Cypress Island Nature Preserve

Lake Martin is home to LOTS of different animals - alligators just being one. There's a bridge along the lake where you can walk and regularly spot gators. So, if you're up for a little road trip and want to see a gator, this is your best bet.

2) Caddo Lake - Caddo Parish Louisiana & Harrison/Marion Counties in Texas

This 26,810 acre lake is home to lots of alligators. And there's some monsters here too. According to AZ Animals, a hunter shot a 13-foot, 2-inch 900 pound monster on Caddo Lake. So, they're plentiful and huge.

3) Cross Lake - Shreveport

Again, lots of gators on Cross Lake. Not as many as Caddo Lake...and maybe not as big, but still pretty plentiful. Also, probably where many of the gators that pop up around Shreveport come from.

4) Cypress Lake - Lafayette

While I've never personally been, apparently there's a lake on the campus of ULL...and there's a pretty good gator population living in it. In fact, it's apparently a popular tourist attractions. You can also spot snapping turtles, various fish and tons of wildlife here.