National Wildlife Refuge · Louisiana · FWS Region 4

Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge lies in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, with about 15,768 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations, covering about 15,768 huntable acres.

2 with special regsPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
15.8Khuntable acres
15.8KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Atchafalaya NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Atchafalaya NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

The largest river swamp in the country, the Atchafalaya Basin includes a rich variety of habitat that holds a tremendous variety of wildlife, including many game species.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammalsFeral & ExoticFeral hogs and other non-native species where refuge rules allow

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Louisiana regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 15,768 (100%)15.8Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations15,768 ac 100%
Units by size (acres)
Open to Hunting
15,425 ac
Limited Hunt
343 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Limited Hunt Special regs 343 Required
Other		 All hunting
Open to Hunting Special regs 15,425 Required
Other		 All hunting

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunting

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)

You'll also need

  • A valid Louisiana hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Atchafalaya NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

More than 85 species of fish occur in the basin, and their populations can be abundant. The lifeblood of the fishery is the Atchafalaya Basin's annual flooding and dewatering cycle.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Atchafalaya NWR

Navigate

Destination: Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
30.42014, -91.65212
DMS
30°25′12.5″N 91°39′07.6″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Lafayette, LA26 mi NE of town
  • Baton Rouge, LA28 mi W of town
  • Alexandria, LA78 mi SE of town
  • Houma, LA80 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • LFT Lafayette Regional25 mi
  • BTR Baton Rouge Metro31 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Atchafalaya NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Chicago local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM7:31 PM12h 48m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM7:13 PM12h 23m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM6:53 PM11h 54m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM6:36 PM11h 29m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:50 AM6:20 AM5:20 PM10h 60m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM5:10 PM10h 39m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM5:06 PM10h 20m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM5:07 PM10h 12m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:33 AM7:03 AM5:15 PM10h 13m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:33 AM7:03 AM5:26 PM10h 23m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:27 AM6:57 AM5:41 PM10h 44m

Computed for 30.420, -91.652 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Atchafalaya NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Atchafalaya NWR?

Yes. Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (15,768 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Atchafalaya NWR?

Yes — Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained kiosk or online (e.g. recreation.gov). You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Atchafalaya NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Atchafalaya NWR located?

Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge is in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, about 26 miles NE of Lafayette, LA (straight-line). GPS: 30.42014, -91.65212.

What are legal shooting hours at Atchafalaya NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Cat Island NWR

West Feliciana Parish, LA · 24 mi N

1 special1 closed
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Bayou Teche NWR

St. Mary Parish, LA · 46 mi S

7 special1 closed
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9.8K huntable acres

Grand Cote NWR

Avoyelles Parish, LA · 55 mi NW

1 open2 special1 closed
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3.4K huntable acres

Lake Ophelia NWR

Avoyelles Parish, LA · 56 mi N

4 special1 closed
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St. Catherine Creek NWR

Adams County, MS · 64 mi N

5 special1 closed
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21.3K huntable acres

Shell Keys NWR

LA · 70 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

All refuges in Louisiana →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.