Navigable waters were declared on the state lands map many years ago (1910). What was navigable (not privately owned/settled) then is public and what was not declared navigable is private no matter if it is twenty feet deep or a bayou, river, lake, bay, etc. Also, just because you have to go in a gatortail does not make it private.
Please read LA Reserve Statute 9:1101 below
"LRS 9:1101. Ownership of waters and beds of bayous, rivers, streams, lagoons, lakes and bays. The waters of and in all bayous, rivers, streams, lagoons, lakes and bays, and the beds thereof, not under the direct ownership of any person on August 12, 1910, are declared to be the property of the state. There shall never be any charge assessed against any person for the use of the waters of the state for municipal, industrial, agricultural or domestic purposes.
While acknowledging the absolute supremacy of the United States of America over the navigation on the navigable waters within the borders of the state, it is hereby declared that the ownership of the water itself and the beds thereof in the said navigable waters is vested in the
state and that the state has the right to enter into possession of these waters when not interfering
with the control of navigation exercised thereon by the United States of America. This Section shall not affect the acquisition of property by alluvion or accretion.
All transfers and conveyances or purported transfers and conveyances made by the state of Louisiana to any levee district of the state of any navigable waters and the beds and bottoms thereof are hereby rescinded, revoked and canceled. This Section is not intended to interfere with the acquisition in good faith of any waters or the beds thereof transferred by the state or its agencies prior to August 12, 1910."
Hope this clears things up!
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