(Metro Creative Services)

National Wildlife Refuges Annual Winter Closure to Fishing and Boating Activities begins one hour after sunset Friday, Oct. 14.

The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex annual winter closure to fishing and boating begins one hour after sunset Friday, including the Lacassine Pool, Cameron Prairie NWR Gibbstown Unit, and designated refuge waters, and the Sabine refuge’s interior marshes and waterways. These areas will reopen to fishing and boating activities on March 15, 2023.  

Lacassine NWR closes to all fishing activities, except for Streeter’s Road Fishing Pier, in Unit B, which remains open to Bank fishing year-round. The Pool area (Archery Deer Hunt Zone) is closed to all boating activities and boating activities on other refuge lands and waters from Oct. 15-March 15 are restricted to designated days, access points, travel routes, and hunting units specified in the Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Complex Hunting Regulations 2022-2023 brochure during the Louisiana west zone waterfowl hunting season  The Pool area, including the Wildlife Drive, will remain open year-round for wildlife observation and photography.

Cameron Prairie’s Gibbstown Unit, located along  La. 27, will close to all fishing and boating activities, except for bank fishing road, which will remain open year-round. Cameron Prairie’s East Cove Unit is open year-round except during the Louisiana west zone waterfowl hunting season or when Grand Bayou boat bay is closed.

Sabine National Wildlife Refuges interior marshes and waterways close to all fishing activities and boating activities Oct. 15-March 15, except for boat access to designated waterfowl hunting areas. Access for waterfowl hunting is restricted to designated days, access points, travel routes, and hunting units specified in the Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Complex Hunting Regulations 2022-2023 brochure during the Louisiana west zone waterfowl hunting season. West Cove canal will remain open for boat access to Calcasieu Lake via the saltwater boat launch at West Cove Recreational Area; however, it is closed to all other activities. Only designated roadside recreation areas along La. 27, south of Hackberry, remain open year-round for fishing and crabbing. All refuge regulations remain in effect.

Sabine’s Blue Goose Trail and the Wetland Walkway will remain open for wildlife observation and photography year-round from sunrise to sunset.