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Lacassine
National Wildlife Refuge
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 Refuge Overview: Located in southeastern Louisiana along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and Lacassine Bayou, Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 by Executive Order No. 7780 to provide a breeding area for migratory birds. Nearly 35,000 acres in size, Federal Duck Stamp dollars have helped to acquire the refuge lands.
John and Karen Hollingsworth/USFWS photo |
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Habitat: Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge offers
a variety of habitats for migratory waterfowl and other wildlife.
On the refuge there is over 16,000 acres of natural, freshwater
marsh interspersed with open water, 16,000 acres of managed,
freshwater marsh (know as Lacassine Pool), 2,200 acres of rice,
wheat, soybean, and natural moist soil fields, 350 acres of flooded
gum and cypress trees, and 350 acres of restored tall grass prairie.
Of those acres, 3,345 acres are federally designated as a Wilderness
Area.
Each year, up to 800,000 migratory waterfowl from the Mississippi
and Central Flyways may be on the refuge at one time – one
of the largest wintering populations in the entire National Wildlife
Refuge System. Common species on the refuge are white-fronted
geese, now geese, pintails, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal,
mallards,
ring-necked ducks, mottled ducks, and occasionally, black-bellied
whistling ducks.
The refuge also provides habitat for wading birds. The first American
nesting colony of cattle egrets outside of Florida and the only
roseate spoonbill nesting rookeries in Louisiana are located at
Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge. Neotropical cormorants, anhingas,
common moorhens, and several species of herons, egrets, night herons,
ibises, rails, and stilts call the refuge home.
Non-bird species found on the refuge include armadillos, swamp
rabbits, fox squirrels, nutria, mink, otters, raccoons, coyotes,
white-tailed deer, and a large population of American alligators.
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Recreation Opportunities: Lacassine
National Wildlife Refuge is open for public use and offers a wide
variety of activities. Waterfowl and deer hunting are allowed on
certain units of the refuge, as is fishing and crawfishing. Other
popular activities include berry picking, boating, hiking, and
wildlife observation and photography.
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Additional Resources
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