Winter restrictions for SW La. wildlife refuges begin Oct. 15
Published 10:03 am Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Annual winter fishing and boating closures at the Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex will begin one hour after sunset on Thursday, Oct. 15, federal officials announced.
The seasonal restrictions affect the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge Pool, the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Gibbstown Unit, and the interior marshes and waterways of the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge. The affected waters are scheduled to reopen to regular recreational activities on March 15, 2027.
While large portions of the complex will be restricted to protect migratory waterfowl, refuge officials noted several year-round exceptions for bank fishing, sightseeing, and transit.
Lacassine NWR
The Lacassine Pool area will close to all boating, and the wider refuge will close to general fishing. However, bank fishing will remain permitted year-round at the Streeter’s Road Fishing Pier in Unit B. The Wildlife Drive and Pool area will also stay open through the winter for wildlife observation and photography.
Waterfowl hunters using watercraft on other Lacassine lands must strictly adhere to the designated days, access points, and travel routes outlined in the Southwest Louisiana NWR Complex Hunting Regulations brochure during the state’s West Zone waterfowl hunting season.
Cameron Prairie NWR
The Gibbstown Unit, located along La. 27, will close to all fishing and boating activities with the exception of the bank fishing road, which remains open year-round.
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The East Cove Unit will maintain regular year-round access but will close during the West Zone waterfowl hunting season or whenever the Grand Bayou boat bay is closed.
Sabine NWR
Interior marshes and waterways at Sabine will close to all fishing and boating, except for hunters accessing designated waterfowl hunting units. Hunting access remains restricted to the specific dates and routes published in the current refuge hunting brochure.
The West Cove canal will remain open exclusively to provide boat transit to Calcasieu Lake via the saltwater boat launch at the West Cove Recreational Area; all other recreational activities within the canal are prohibited during the closure.
Anglers and crabbers can still utilize designated roadside recreation areas along La. 27, south of Hackberry, which will stay open year-round. Additionally, the Blue Goose Trail and the Wetland Walkway will remain open daily from sunrise to sunset for public wildlife viewing.
All standard refuge regulations and permit requirements remain in effect throughout the closure period.