The Mississippi River and its tributaries make up the largest drainage basin in North America, covering 1.2 million square miles. Along the Mississippi, large sweeping bends, called meanders, naturally grow larger and larger when the outside bank (cut bank) is undermined. Gradually the neck of the meander is narrowed to a point where the river is rejoined and ceases to flow into the meander bow. Over time the river bend is completely abandoned, an oxbow lake is born.
Providence Lake, located in East Carroll Parish, Louisiana, was once part of the Mississippi and is now an oxbow lake. Its jagged shoreline, encircled with cypress, creates countless pockets and creases, prime areas for aggressive largemouth bass. Providence Lake is a favorite choice for freshwater anglers and because of the dense cover, the scenic lake is referred to as a bass fishing paradise.