National Wildlife Refuge · Louisiana · FWS Region 4

Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 5,927 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: 1 open under general rules, 2 open with special regulations, and 1 closed, covering about 3,384 huntable acres.

1 open unit2 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
3.4Khuntable acres
5.9KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Grand Cote 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 Grand Cote NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic, 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.

Refuge staff has been working to improve habitat at Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge. As a result, more ducks have been using the refuge, and the hunting has been getting better each year.

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 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 (4)

Acreage by status
Open: 637 (10%)Special regulations: 2,747 (44%)Closed: 2,874 (46%)3.4Khuntable acres
  • Open637 ac 10%
  • Special regulations2,747 ac 44%
  • Closed2,874 ac 46%
Units by size (acres)
Unit Closed
2,874 ac
Unit A
2,129 ac
Unit B
637 ac
Unit C
618 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Unit B Open 637 Required
Other		 Special Recreational Activity Permit for all hunting and fishing, which costs $20
Unit A Special regs 2,129 Required
Other		 Special Recreational Activity Permit for all hunting and fishing, which costs $20
Unit C Special regs 618 Required
Other		 Special Recreational Activity Permit for all hunting and fishing, which costs $20
Unit Closed Closed 2,874 Required
Other		 Special Recreational Activity Permit for all hunting and fishing, which costs $20

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Special Recreational Activity Permit for all hunting and fishing, which costs $20

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • 💻 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 Grand Cote NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing season is year-round. Available species include catfish, bowfin, alligator gar, freshwater drum and crawfish. Recreational crawfishing is permitted in designated areas, April 1-May 31, with harvest limited to 100 pounds per permit per day.

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

How to get to Grand Cote NWR

Navigate

Destination: Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
31.09791, -92.13849
DMS
31°05′52.5″N 92°08′18.6″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Alexandria, LA24 mi SE of town
  • Natchez, MS54 mi SW of town
  • Lafayette, LA61 mi N of town
  • Baton Rouge, LA72 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • LFT Lafayette Regional62 mi
  • BTR Baton Rouge Metro71 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 Grand Cote 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, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM7:33 PM12h 50m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM7:15 PM12h 24m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM6:55 PM11h 54m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM6:38 PM11h 28m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:53 AM6:23 AM5:21 PM10h 58m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM5:11 PM10h 36m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM5:06 PM10h 18m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM5:08 PM10h 09m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:36 AM7:06 AM5:16 PM10h 10m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:27 PM10h 20m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:30 AM7:00 AM5:42 PM10h 41m

Computed for 31.098, -92.138 (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.

Grand Cote NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Grand Cote NWR?

Yes. Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (3,384 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, 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 Grand Cote NWR?

Yes — Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained 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 Grand Cote NWR?

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

Where is Grand Cote NWR located?

Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge is in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, about 24 miles SE of Alexandria, LA (straight-line). GPS: 31.09791, -92.13849.

What are legal shooting hours at Grand Cote 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

Lake Ophelia NWR

Avoyelles Parish, LA · 17 mi NE

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🐗🎣

12.3K huntable acres

Catahoula NWR

Catahoula Parish, LA · 40 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🐗🎣

24.7K huntable acres

Bayou Cocodrie NWR

Concordia Parish, LA · 43 mi NE

6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🐗🎣

15.1K huntable acres

Cat Island NWR

West Feliciana Parish, LA · 43 mi SE

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9.7K huntable acres

St. Catherine Creek NWR

Adams County, MS · 43 mi E

5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🐗🎣

21.3K huntable acres

Red River NWR

Natchitoches Parish, LA · 50 mi NW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

10.9K huntable acres

All refuges in Louisiana →

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