(submitted by Gary Joynor) – From the movie “Field of Dreams,” there is a famous line that’s quoted often that says, “If you build it, they will come.” In this field, notable athletes of the past come to play on this magical baseball field and relive their baseball youth. Today, we are not talking about the little baseball field in a corn patch in Dyersville, Iowa, but rather the little ole Caney Creek Reservoir and the Jimmie Davis State Park in Jackson Parish, Louisiana. Some say it’s located in Chatham; some say Weston, and others say Jonesboro. Either way, this 5,000-acre lake is well known to many people.
The state park originally opened in 1996 as Caney Creek Lake Park, only to be renamed in 2003 after Jackson Parish resident and Governor Jimmie Davis, completing what we know today as “Jimmie Davis State Park”. Could it be that the country singer was thinking of Caney Lake when he was singing “You Are My Sunshine”? We may never know. But what we do know is that Caney Creek Reservoir is extremely popular and is blessed with some amazing sunrises and sunsets.
Whether you are fishing, kayaking, hiking, camping, bird watching, or just relaxing, people from all over the world have visited this hidden gem in Jackson Parish. At the center of this little lake is Jimmie Davis State Park.
When I ask the park manager, Eric Calvillo, what working at Jimmie Davis State Park means to you? He said, “Working for Jimmie Davis State Park means being a steward for nature while providing visitors the best camping experience that will create memories that will last a lifetime.”
If you visit the park regularly, you will know there is always something going on, and with each visit, you will see progress. Lora Whiting, Administrative Coordinator, says, “Working for Jimmie Davis State Park, for me, means work, nature, and community all in one. We get to connect with guests from all over the world, support the community, and help the park thrive. From creating memorable visits to bringing tourism revenue and local jobs, it’s a role I feel that truly makes a difference in Jackson Parish.
The economic impact Caney Lake has on Louisiana and Jackson Parish is hard to estimate, but it must be huge. The Park’s campsites and RV hookups stay booked for most of the year. According to Lora Whiting’s park statistics for fiscal year 2017\2018, the park’s highest attendance ever recorded was 140,158 people. Think about it, that’s enough people to fill the Superdome twice.
The lowest attendance was recorded in fiscal year 2019/2020, at 72,012. Overall attendance at the park has been staggering, with 3,263,024 visitors since 1996. This number does not include the number of fishermen and pleasure craft launching at the other three major launches on the lake since it opened. Now, many Airbnbs have recently surfaced that allow visitors to stay directly on the water for a memorable getaway.
Other organized events around the lake also have a tremendous economic impact.
The Caney Lake Community Foundation hosts its annual “Freedom Celebration” usually around or on the 4th of July. Kimberly Dobbins, President of CLCF, says, “growing up in a small town in central La where community meant everything.”
She goes on to say, “She and her husband moved to Caney Lake and wanted the same atmosphere here, thus starting Caney Lake Community Foundation. Caney Lake is my happy place. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see our community come together and make such a positive impact.”
Amy Bayles says, “Being a part of the CLCF means so much to me because it brings people together to create something special for our community. Caney Lake comes with great fishing and the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets.”
Fundraisers are held semiannually at Hooks Marina, located on Spillway Road, and this event allows vendors to showcase their talents through crafts and other items while helping fund the fireworks and other community-related projects. Vendors and visitors from around the state come in to support these fundraisers.
Every year, the fireworks are launched from the levee. Many people make the drive to Caney to launch their boats and watch the event from the water, and, in my biased opinion, it is one of the most spectacular fireworks displays over water anywhere. There’s something magical about the big booms and the reflection over the water that words can’t describe; you just have to see it for yourself. It’s estimated that over 2,000 viewers from across the state witness this event each year.
Louisiana spends millions of dollars each year to draw tourists into the state, hoping they will visit and stay at all the state parks.
Tammy Gunter, President of Jackson Parish Tourism, says, “Jimmie Davis State Park is a favorite for locals and a draw for visitors all over the country. People come for the relaxing outdoor fun, and many will travel here for the crappie and largemouth bass fishing that brings national attention. The park is also cared for beautifully in my opinion. A couple recently told me, this is one of the nicest parks in Louisiana.”
Caney Lake may be known for its peaceful sunsets, but it’s also a mega fishery for largemouth bass. So much so that it currently holds the Louisiana State Record, set by Mr. Greg Wiggins, weighing in at a whopping 15.97 pounds. Thousands of anglers travel from many states and from all over Louisiana to see if they can beat the current state record.
Rex Moncrief, recently featured on the cover of the “Louisiana Sportsman” March 2026 edition, had this to say, “Caney Lake has always been more than just a lake to me; it was Louisiana’s first true trophy bass fishery. Louisiana built it into a trophy lake, and the big bass showed up, and so did the fishermen. Parking lots full of trucks and trailers told you everything you needed to know.”
What did the founding fathers of Caney Creek Reservoir know that we didn’t know? Did they know the current state record bass would come from Caney? Did they know that Major League Fishing would come to the lake not once but twice? Did they know that people from all over the United States would leave their state and build a house on the lake? Did they know that over 3,000,000 people and counting would visit the Jimmie Davis State Park?
As President of the Jackson Parish Watershed District, it was my pleasure writing this article and gathering quotes from others that love Caney Lake. I never envisioned myself being a public servant, but it’s something I take personal. My late father, E.L Joynor, told me before he passed away that to be a good public servant son, you must be able to serve the public.
My wife Sandy, a member of the Jackson Parish Tourism Board, and I have lived on Caney Lake for over 25 years with no regrets. We’ve raised our kids, Brandon and Katelyn on the Lake and taught them to respect and enjoy Caney. We invite you to come see what over 3,000,000 people and counting already know: the beloved Caney Creek Reservoir. They built it and all we ask you to do is to come and enjoy it.