Cameron Prairie NWR | Southeast Region


Glenn Harris Refuge Manager 1428 Highway 27 Bell City, LA 70630 (337) 598-2216 FAX: (337) 598-2492 E-mail: cameronprairie@fws.gov Directions to Refuge Fact Sheet Educational Programs Fishing Regulations Hunting Regulations Hunting Map Hunting Permit General Brochure Alligator Application Louisiana Waterfowl Issues		Refuge Facts Established: 1988. Acres: 9,621, Gibbstown Unit. Located in Cameron Parish, LA. Location: The refuge is located 25 miles southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana on the LA Highway 27, the Creole Nature Trail All American Road. Natural History Abundant migratory birds, and fresh marsh are the dominant features of the area. Old ricefields have been converted to moist soil management areas utilizing existing levees and pump system. Over 45,000 ducks and 10,000 geese at peak populations during the winter months. Provides excellent habitat for native wildlife including alligators, furbearers, white-tailed deer, as well as numerous migratory birds throughout the year. Financial Impact Seven-person staff. 28,000 visitors annually. FY 05 budget: $868,000 (includes East Cove Unit). Refuge Objectives Provide the highest quality wintering waterfowl habitat possible. Provide for the needs of endangered plants and animals. Allow compatible public uses such as hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife observation, and photography. Promote research on marsh and aquatic wildlife. Management Tools Wildlife management with public hunting. Law enforcement. Moist soil management. Vegetation and water management. Public Use Opportunities Vistor center. Pintail Wildlife Drive. Wildlife observation. Photography. Hunting. Fishing. Environmental education/interpretation. Calendar of Events January-February: Snipe hunting. March 15-October 15: Fishing. October: Archery deer hunting. November-January: Youth waterfowl hunting. January-December: Migratory bird viewing, Pintail Wildlife Drive. Open sunrise to sunset. Questions and Answers Where is the Wildlife Drive? The Pintail Wildlife Drive is located approximately 2 miles south of the Office/Visitor Center on the east side of LA Highway 27, the Creole Nature Trail All American Road. A refuge general brochure is provided which includes a refuge map. Do you have any hiking trails? There are not any designated hiking trails developed on the refuge, but you are welcome to walk along the refuge levees as long as you park in the designated parking areas. A refuge general brochure is provided which includes a refuge map. Where can we go fishing? Approximately 2 miles south of the Office/ Visitor Center on the west side of LA Hwy 27, the Creole Nature Trail All American Road, the Bankfishing Road is open for bank fishing. The refuge Outfall Canal is also available. It is accessible only by boat through the North Canal from the Gibbstown Bridge boat launch on the Intracoastal Waterway. These fishing areas are open from March 15 through October 15, sunrise to sunset. A refuge general brochure and refuge fishing permit are provided which include refuge maps. Is the refuge open for hunting? Yes, during the month of October the refuge is open for archery deer hunting. The refuge has lottery youth waterfowl hunting from November-January. Snipe hunting occurs from January-February. A refuge general brochure and refuge hunting permit can be obtained at the Office and Visitor Center. Are there camping areas on the refuge? No. The refuge office does have listings of camping sites located within an hour’s driving distance of the refuge.

Return to: Louisiana, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Offices

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