Spanish Lake is a 53-acre oxbow lake located approximately 4 miles north of New Iberia in Iberia Parish, Louisiana. Believed to be an ancient oxbow of the Mississippi River from 3,800 to 5,500 years ago when it flowed through what is now Bayou Teche, the lake sits at an elevation 16 feet higher than the nearby bayou. The lake takes its name from Spanish settlers and Canary Islanders who populated the area during Louisiana's Spanish colonial period.

Access to Spanish Lake is excellent, with a public boat launch at 117 Spanish Lake Road. The site features five wheelchair-accessible fishing piers, a bait shop, pavilions with picnic tables, a walking trail, and restroom facilities. The park is open year-round from dawn to dusk with a modest $2 per vehicle entry fee. Peninsula camping is permitted on-site.

The paddling experience at Spanish Lake offers calm, flat water ideal for beginners and families. The lake's unusual shape—one side straight like a bluff and the other curved like an ancient river course—reflects its geological origins. Canoes and kayaks can easily navigate the entire lake, and the protected waters make it suitable for stand-up paddleboards as well.

Wildlife viewing opportunities are exceptional. Over 240 bird species have been documented here, making it a premier birding destination. Paddlers can expect to see great egrets, herons, wood ducks, and other wading birds, particularly at dawn and dusk. Alligators, beavers, and nutria are common sightings. The lake is surrounded by cypress trees and native vegetation, providing scenic paddling through moss-draped landscapes.

Fishing from kayaks is popular, with the lake stocked with largemouth bass, catfish, and sac-a-lait (crappie). The calm conditions and abundant fish make it an ideal spot to combine paddling with angling.

The lake's proximity to downtown New Iberia and other Atchafalaya National Heritage Area attractions makes it a convenient stop for exploring the region's cultural and natural resources.