Gone Fishin'
Gone Fishin’
Caddo Lake State Park, TX
Caddo Lake, near the small community of Uncertain, TX, is a wonderful place to visit and photograph. The area consists of waterways, swamps, and bayous filled with moss-covered bald cypress trees, abundant wildlife, and folks who like to hunt and fish.
I had scouted this location before and decided that it was where I would set up for the late afternoon shot. Standing in 6” of swamp water (in my muck boots), waiting for the right light, my wonderful scene became the local fishing hole. At first, I was a bit disappointed, but I figured they had as much right to this beautiful spot as I did. So, I decided to embrace the new opportunity and believe it added to the moment.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
We Also offer a comprehensive Photographers Guidebook for CADDO LAKE
Trail Difficulty - EASY TO MODERATE
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 2 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most difficult). The walk to the location of this shot is only about 60 yds from the parking area. However, a couple of trees in the water obstruct this view, so you will need to stand in about 6” of mud/water to get this shot. You can either wear muck boots or stand in the mud/water with your boots (NOT RECOMMENDED).
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
162 Ft. Elevation
View In Google earth
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions to Mill Pond (Caddo Lake State Park)
From Shreveport, drive west on Blanchard Latex Rd (which turns into FM1999) for about 15 miles until you come to FM 134. Turn right (north on FM1999) and travel 5.2 miles until you hit the small community of Karnack. Continue north on 2606 for about a mile until you hit 2198. Turn left for a few feet at the stop sign and then turn right into Caddo Lake State Park.
From Dallas - travel east for about 115 miles toward Marshall, TX. From Marshall, travel about 15 miles until you reach 134/2198 and turn right. Travel on 2198 for under a mile and turn left into Caddo Lake State Park.
From the state park entrance, drive to the visitors center and check in. After checking in, drive north through the park (about 1/2 mile) and turn left at the end (sign for Mill Pond campsites). After 100 yards or so, you will see the Mill Pond and a parking area on the right. Directly in front of the parking area are two piers from which you can shoot.
To get to this location - The location of this shot is on the shoreline. From the parking lot - walk east past the larger pier, where you will find some cement steps. After walking down the steps, walk east along the shoreline for about as far as you can go (before reaching the trees). There is an opening where you can see the scene. As mentioned, the scene is obstructed by some trees in the water. You will need to walk to the front of the trees to view the scene unobstructed. You will be standing is 6” of muck/mud/water. MUCK BOOTS ARE YOU FRIEND HERE.
Photography Tips
The Mill Pond at Caddo Lake State Park is a tiny body of water (only about 250 yards wide and 200 yards deep), but it can produce some GREAT images. After visiting the Mill Pond many times, this location is one of my favorites. It can be photographed in the morning, late afternoon, at sunset, or on an overcast day.
I prefer to photograph this scene in the late afternoon (after the direct sun has risen above the tallest trees) but before the reflective light dissipates. During this window of time, the reflective sunlight illuminates the back set of trees in this scene, producing highly saturated colors.
Even if you miss the reflective light, this location can still be photographed as it gets close to sunset. The scene takes on a more subdued tone, with the colors of the leaves popping against the backdrop of brown trees and grey-hanging moss. I chose to shoot this location as a 3 - 5 frame vertical panoramic, but it can easily be photographed as a single-frame wide-angle shot.
EXIF Data
Focal Length – 92 mm
Exposure – 1/6 sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 200
Date – Nov 4th
Time – 5:03 pm
Best Time of Day to Shoot
When photographing the trees around Mill Pond (Caddo Lake State Park), I find the best time to shoot is when there is no direct sunlight on the trees. This is either late afternoon after the sun has gone above the tree line, sunset/dusk, early hours before sunrise, or on a cloudy day. That is just my preference. However, I have also seen many good images taken during the day under the right conditions/compositions.
Specific to this location
This shot faces northwest, so the best time to take it is late afternoon (after the sun has gone above the trees in the background), sunset, or on an overcast day. If you shoot here in the late afternoon, the sun will illuminate the back trees (the front trees will be in shadow) and produce a greater saturation.
This is also a nice shot as you get closer to sunset (when the sun is completely off of the trees).
The shot above was taken at 5:03 pm when the sunset was @ 6:22 pm.
Best Time of Year
Photographing around Caddo Lake/Mill Pond can be done any time of year. However, this area is at its best early to mid-November (1st - 15th) - when the leaves turn lime green, yellow, orange, and red. The brown/gray trees with the unsaturated moss colors contrast with the colorful foliage during that time. The scenes appear almost surreal and look like a painting. However, the trees are real and fun to observe and photograph.
The shot above was taken on Nov 4th 2023.
Timing for Fall Colors
I have visited Caddo Lake several times over the past several years. I usually go between Nov 1st and Nov 15th. In looking at my Lightroom library, the best times for me over the past three years were:
2021 - Nov 9th - 12th
2022 - Nov 5th - 12th
2023 - Nov 2nd - 6th
As we all know, the timing for color change is unpredictable at best. I am just noting my experiences.
Lens(es) Needed
When shooting at the Mill Pond, I usually bring my 24-105 mm and a 70-200 mm lens, with the majority shot with my 70-200 mm lens.
The image above was taken as a 3-shot vertical pano @ 91 mm.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
Mill Pond is located at the end of Caddo Lake State Park. Entrance fees for the beautiful state park are $4 daily.
Direction of the Shot
The direction of the shot is northwest at 315°.
Equipment Needed
When photographing around the Mill Pond at Caddo Lake State Park - I bring the following equipment:
1) Polarizing Filter, 2) ND filter(s) from 3 to 6 stops to enable very long exposures, 3) waders or muck boots to walk along / stand in the water along the shoreline, 4) bug spray - it’s Texas by a body of water, 5) my pano head and 6) a flashlight.
Shooting from the water
Kayaks and canoes are allowed on Mill Pond (private and rented from the Caddo Lake State Park). The Mill Pond is only about 3-5 ft deep, so you can use either photograph from the kayak/canoe (handheld or place the tripod in the kayak) or place your long tripod in the lake (next to you while in the kayak). Neither is perfect, but floating in the pond provides a different perspective from the pier or shoreline.
Even on a seemingly perfectly still pond, the kayak still moves/drifts, so you will need to adjust your ISO to keep your shutter speed above 1/30 of a second or so. When shooting from a tripod in the pond, the bottom is MUCK, and trying to shoot a long exposure can be very challenging.
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
Photographing Bald Cypress trees at Caddo Lake has become very popular during November. However, photographing on the shoreline of the Mill Pond is normally not overly crowded (most photographers stay on one of the two piers). The location of this shot is taken in the water along the shoreline (in front of a few trees, which will obscure your view otherwise).
Weather
When you think of Texas swamps, you think of HOT and MUGGY. However, the weather in Texas in November can be nice. In November, around Caddo Lake, you can expect temperatures to be modest, with lows in the '30-the '40s and highs in the '70s.
Fog
There are times in November (when the temperatures dip into the 30's°) when the air temps fall and reach the dew point, and fog appears on the Mill Pod. When it does, grab your camera and be ready for a great photo.
Cell Service
I have Verizon, and I had good cell service everywhere, including Mill Pond.
Nearby Restaurants
The closest community to Mill Pond (at the Caddo Lake State Park) is Uncertain, TX or Karnack - and this area has limited eating establishments.
I go to the Circle S Country Store or Caddo Outpost for breakfast. Both spots are small cafes in a gas station. Don't judge a book by the cover - as I have had many a good breakfast at both places.
For lunch or dinner, drive to Old Town Jefferson. There are several good choices there.
Area Guides and Workshops
There are several great boat Captains that know the area well. My favorite is Mudport Adventures with Capt Danny Sullivan (214) 649-7265.