Bayou Bartholomew is considered the longest bayou in the world, stretching approximately 359 river miles from its headwaters near Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to its confluence with the Ouachita River near Sterlington, Louisiana. The bayou was formed about 2,000 years ago when the Arkansas River changed its course, leaving behind this meandering waterway. Once a vital transportation route during the 1800s, Bayou Bartholomew flows through a diverse ecosystem featuring cypress and tupelo trees, providing habitat for various wildlife including alligators, turtles, waterfowl, and migratory songbirds. Today, while facing challenges from sedimentation, pollution, and logjams, it remains an important ecological resource and offers excellent fishing opportunities for anglers throughout its course in both Arkansas and Louisiana.