National Wildlife Refuge · Louisiana · FWS Region 4

Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge lies in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, with about 24,391 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 2 closed, covering about 9,206 huntable acres.

2 with special regs2 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
9.2Khuntable acres
24.4KFWS-owned acres
3game categories

Cameron Prairie 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 Cameron Prairie NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, and migratory birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Established in 1988, Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was once a series of commercial rice fields. Hunting opportunities include snipe, deer/archery and limited permit youth waterfowl hunting.

Youth hunting

A youth waterfowl hunt is issued by lottery.

All refuges with youth hunts →
Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane

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

Hunt units (4)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 9,206 (38%)Closed: 15,185 (62%)9.2Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations9,206 ac 38%
  • Closed15,185 ac 62%
Units by size (acres)
East Cove
14,778 ac
Deer Hunt Unit
7,887 ac
Waterfowl
1,320 ac
Closed to Hunting
407 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Deer Hunt Unit Special regs 7,887 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunting
🧒 A youth waterfowl hunt is issued by lottery.
Waterfowl Special regs 1,320 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunting
🧒 A youth waterfowl hunt is issued by lottery.
Closed to Hunting Closed 407 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunting
🧒 A youth waterfowl hunt is issued by lottery.
East Cove Closed 14,778 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunting
🧒 A youth waterfowl hunt is issued by lottery.

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunting

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)
  • 🏛️ 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 Cameron Prairie NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Available species include largemouth bass, crappie, redear sunfish, catfish, gar and bowfin. The most popular method of fishing is with live bait.

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

How to get to Cameron Prairie NWR

Navigate

Destination: Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
29.84706, -93.22038
DMS
29°50′49.4″N 93°13′13.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Lake Charles, LA26 mi S of town
  • Port Arthur, TX43 mi E of town
  • Beaumont, TX57 mi E of town
  • Lafayette, LA76 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • LFT Lafayette Regional78 mi
  • IAH Houston Bush Intercontinental127 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 Cameron Prairie 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, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM7:37 PM12h 47m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM7:19 PM12h 23m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:35 AM7:05 AM6:59 PM11h 55m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM6:43 PM11h 30m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM5:27 PM11h 01m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:07 AM6:37 AM5:18 PM10h 41m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM5:13 PM10h 23m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM5:15 PM10h 15m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:38 AM7:08 AM5:23 PM10h 15m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:38 AM7:08 AM5:34 PM10h 25m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:33 AM7:03 AM5:48 PM10h 46m

Computed for 29.847, -93.220 (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.

Cameron Prairie NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Cameron Prairie NWR?

Yes. Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (9,206 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Cameron Prairie NWR?

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

Can you fish at Cameron Prairie NWR?

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

Where is Cameron Prairie NWR located?

Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge is in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, about 26 miles S of Lake Charles, LA (straight-line). GPS: 29.84706, -93.22038.

What are legal shooting hours at Cameron Prairie 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

Lacassine NWR

Cameron Parish, LA · 22 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🎣

33.2K huntable acres

Sabine NWR

Cameron Parish, LA · 22 mi W

1 special1 closed
🦆🎣

34.1K huntable acres

Texas Point NWR

Jefferson County, TX · 42 mi W

1 open1 closed
🦆🎣

3.6K huntable acres

McFaddin NWR

Jefferson County, TX · 61 mi W

4 special1 closed
🦆🎣

21.6K huntable acres

Jocelyn Nungaray NWR

Chambers County, TX · 75 mi W

3 open1 closed
🦆🎣

12.9K huntable acres

Shell Keys NWR

LA · 87 mi E

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.