National Wildlife Refuge · Louisiana · FWS Region 4

Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge lies in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, with about 33,256 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: 3 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 33,240 huntable acres.

3 with special regs1 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
33.2Khuntable acres
33.3KFWS-owned acres
2game categories

Lacassine 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 Lacassine NWR

Hunters can pursue big game and waterfowl here, 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. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

The freshwater marsh of Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge draws thousands of white-fronted geese, as well as scattered flocks of snow geese, each year.

Youth hunting

A lottery waterfowl hunt is held on Saturdays in a specified area.

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 coots

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: 33,240 (100%)Closed: 17 (0%)33.2Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations33,240 ac 100%
  • Closed17 ac 0%
Units by size (acres)
Deer Hunt Unit
23,009 ac
Waterfowl
9,315 ac
Walk-in Hunting
917 ac
Closed to Hunting
17 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Deer Hunt Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 23,009 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Hunting
🧒 A lottery waterfowl hunt is held on Saturdays in a specified area.
Walk-in Hunting
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 917 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Hunting
🧒 A lottery waterfowl hunt is held on Saturdays in a specified area.
Waterfowl
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 9,315 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Hunting
🧒 A lottery waterfowl hunt is held on Saturdays in a specified area.
Closed to Hunting
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 17 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Hunting
🧒 A lottery waterfowl hunt is held on Saturdays in a specified area.

Lacassine NWR by the numbers

With about 33,240 huntable acres, Lacassine NWR ranks #5 of 20 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Louisiana and #81 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 100% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Deer Hunt Unit (23,009 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Walk-in Hunting, covers 917 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 17 acres is closed to hunting (Closed to Hunting). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 33,256 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 124 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Lacassine NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Louisiana sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

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 Lacassine NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Popular species include largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish, bowfin and gar. The refuge consists of impounded freshwater marshes, with the 16,000-acre Lacassine Pool as the predominant feature.

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

How to get to Lacassine NWR

Navigate

Destination: Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
29.97206, -92.88868
DMS
29°58′19.4″N 92°53′19.2″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Lake Charles, LA27 mi SE of town
  • Lafayette, LA55 mi W of town
  • Port Arthur, TX63 mi E of town
  • Beaumont, TX75 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • LFT Lafayette Regional56 mi
  • BTR Baton Rouge Metro111 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 Lacassine 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, 20266:18 AM6:48 AM7:35 PM12h 48m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM7:18 PM12h 23m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM6:58 PM11h 54m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM6:41 PM11h 30m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:54 AM6:24 AM5:25 PM11h 01m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:06 AM6:36 AM5:16 PM10h 40m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM5:12 PM10h 22m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM5:13 PM10h 14m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:21 PM10h 15m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:32 PM10h 25m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:32 AM7:02 AM5:47 PM10h 45m

Computed for 29.972, -92.889 (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.

Guides for hunting Lacassine NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Refuge Hunting Permits: Types, Lotteries & How to Apply

Signed brochures, quota permits, special use permits and where to get them — online, kiosk, mail or visitor center.

Lacassine NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Lacassine NWR?

Yes. Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (33,240 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game and waterfowl. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Lacassine NWR?

Yes — Lacassine 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 Lacassine NWR?

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

Where is Lacassine NWR located?

Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge is in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, about 27 miles SE of Lake Charles, LA (straight-line). GPS: 29.97206, -92.88868.

What are legal shooting hours at Lacassine 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

Cameron Prairie NWR

Cameron Parish, LA · 22 mi SW

2 special2 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🎣

9.2K huntable acres

Sabine NWR

Cameron Parish, LA · 42 mi W

1 special1 closed
🦆🎣

34.1K huntable acres

Texas Point NWR

Jefferson County, TX · 63 mi W

1 open1 closed
🦆🎣

3.6K huntable acres

Shell Keys NWR

LA · 73 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Atchafalaya NWR

St. Martin Parish, LA · 80 mi NE

2 special
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🐗🎣

15.8K huntable acres

Bayou Teche NWR

St. Mary Parish, LA · 82 mi E

7 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9.8K huntable acres

All refuges in Louisiana →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.