Welcome to Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge
Credit: USFWS
Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge is located at 209 Nature Road, at the end of Highway 3056, eleven miles southwest of Lake Arthur, Louisiana off Hwy. 14. The office is open year round, weekdays only, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., excluding federal holidays. Portions of the refuge are open year round from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. Please consult refuge brochures or contact the refuge office for more details. Vicinity and refuge maps are available.
Refuge staff are responsible for managing the nearly 35,000 acre refuge, most of which is freshwater marsh habitat. The refuge preserves a major wintering site for waterfowl in the United States. Historical wintering duck populations and geese at Lacassine are among the largest in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The sanctuary provided at Lacassine Pool is critical to the long-term viability of continental pintail populations and is one of the key pintail wintering areas in the continent, with a wintering pintail population that has reached almost 400,000 - which is 50% to 80% of the entire southwest Louisiana midwinter survey.
Most wildlife species found on the refuge are those indigenous to the marshes of coastal Louisiana. Nesting colonies of wading birds, alligators, and furbearers such as mink, otter, and raccoon are found on the refuge. Threatened and endangered species that have used the refuge include bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and Louisiana black bear.
Recreational opportunities are available. Hunting and fishing are two of the most popular refuge activities. Bird watching is also very popular, with a bird list available at the refuge or online. A nature drive, foot trails, and observation towers are available year-round. An active volunteer program provides additional opportunities and students are able to earn college credits through an internship at the refuge.
To stay informed about ….Louisiana; please view additional links from the SW LA National Wildlife Refuge Home page at http://www.fws.gov/swlarefugecomplex for the most updated information about refuge programs.
