The Louisiana Supreme Court has upheld part of a lower court ruling, deeming Catahoula Lake as private land. The popular duck hunting spot in Central Louisiana has recently been off-limits to public use after a Rapides Parish 9th Judicial District Court judge and the Third Circuit Court of Appeal ruled the long-time public lake was private land, which cut off public hunting in the area.

On Wednesday, the Louisiana Supreme Court in New Orleans affirmed in part and reversed in part prior decisions on "Steve Crooks and Era Lee Crooks v. State of Louisiana, Department of Natural Resources."

In 2006, Steve and Era Crooks filed a class-action lawsuit against the State of Louisiana that said the landowners surrounding the lake are owners of the lake. More than a year ago in Rapides Parish, ad-hoc Judge James Boddie ruled in favor of the Crooks' in "Crooks v. State” saying the state had unlawfully expropriated the river banks, owing the landowners $38 million in damages as well as $4.5 million in unpaid oil and gas royalties, after oil drilling has been taking place in the area throughout the years.

The state supreme court on Wednesday affirmed rulings in lower courts that the land is private, but reversed the around $38 million in awards to the plaintiffs.

It all comes down to what is that body of water. If it's defined as a lake, it's state property and stays public. If it's deemed a river, then it's private property. The state supreme court ruled that it's legally a river., which will put it in the hands of the private landowners.

“As a long-time sportsman and Catahoula duck hunter, this decision is devastating,” said Brian Cespiva, a longtime hunter at Catahoula Lake. “The ramifications of the rulings will be felt by thousands of sportsmen who, for generations, have enjoyed free access to this State treasure. It’s a sad day for all of us, but hopefully the State will not abandon it’s efforts to keep Catahoula Lake accessible to hunters and fishermen. I urge everyone to call their legislators and ask them to explore other legal means to insure the Lake remains in the public domain.”

Those in favor of Catahoula Lake being deemed public land said there are still a lot of unanswered questions that need to be addressed.

“The fight is far from over,” said State Rep. Mike Johnson, Dist. 27. “It’s confusing, it leaves so many questions unanswered. It doesn’t address boundaries or low water marks.”

There is no word yet if any further legal action will be taken against the ruling.