National Wildlife Refuge · Louisiana · FWS Region 4

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, with about 3,633 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 3,804 huntable acres.

2 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
3.8Khuntable acres
3.6KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Black Bayou Lake 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 Black Bayou Lake NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

While most of Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a lake, deer hunters shouldn't overlook this refuge as a hunting spot. Fields around the lake are becoming reforested, creating ample cover and browse for deer.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

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

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 3,804 (72%)Closed: 1,462 (28%)3.8Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations3,804 ac 72%
  • Closed1,462 ac 28%
Units by size (acres)
Unit Open
3,055 ac
Unit Closed
1,462 ac
Archery Only
749 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Archery Only Special regs 749 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All approved hunting and fishing opportunities within state on the refuge.
Unit Open Special regs 3,055 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All approved hunting and fishing opportunities within state on the refuge.
Unit Closed Closed 1,462 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All approved hunting and fishing opportunities within state on the refuge.

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All approved hunting and fishing opportunities within state on the refuge.

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

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 Black Bayou Lake NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing season is year-round. Fishing opportunities include bait casting for largemouth bass, jig or shiners for crappie and cane pole fishing for bream in the pristine 1,800 acre cypress-studded lake.

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

How to get to Black Bayou Lake NWR

Navigate

Destination: Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
32.60410, -92.03323
DMS
32°36′14.8″N 92°01′59.6″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Monroe, LA8.2 mi NE of town
  • El Dorado, AR56 mi SE of town
  • Vicksburg, MS69 mi W of town
  • Greenville, MS79 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • SHV Shreveport Regional105 mi
  • JAN Jackson–Evers116 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 Black Bayou Lake 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 AM7:34 PM12h 52m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM7:16 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM6:54 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM6:36 PM11h 26m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:54 AM6:24 AM5:18 PM10h 54m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM5:08 PM10h 31m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM5:02 PM10h 11m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM5:03 PM10h 02m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:39 AM7:09 AM5:12 PM10h 03m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM5:23 PM10h 13m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:33 AM7:03 AM5:39 PM10h 36m

Computed for 32.604, -92.033 (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.

Black Bayou Lake NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Black Bayou Lake NWR?

Yes. Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (3,804 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Black Bayou Lake NWR?

Yes — Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained online through fws or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Black Bayou Lake NWR?

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

Where is Black Bayou Lake NWR located?

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge is in Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, about 8 miles NE of Monroe, LA (straight-line). GPS: 32.60410, -92.03323.

What are legal shooting hours at Black Bayou Lake 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

D'Arbonne NWR

Ouachita Parish, LA · 11 mi W

3 special
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🐗🎣

17.6K huntable acres

Upper Ouachita NWR

Morehouse Parish, LA · 22 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

43.8K huntable acres

Felsenthal NWR

Union County, AR · 36 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

77.3K huntable acres

Overflow NWR

Ashley County, AR · 37 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

13.4K huntable acres

Tensas River NWR

Tensas Parish, LA · 49 mi SE

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🐗🎣

75.1K huntable acres

Catahoula NWR

Catahoula Parish, LA · 66 mi S

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🐗🎣

24.7K huntable acres

All refuges in Louisiana →

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