Available species include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish and freshwater drum, by either boat or bank fishing. A nine-mile wildlife drive allows anglers easy access to various locations of the 700-acre Duck Lake and 154-acre Cowpen Bayou. Access to the 46-acre Muddy Bayou is restricted to ATV use only. The fishing season for Duck Lake and Muddy Bayou is March 1-October 31. Cowpen Bayou and Hwy. 28 borrow pits are open year-round. Facilities for anglers include two low-water boat ramps and one high-water boat ramp. Fishing on the Bushley Bayou Unit is open year-round, except during deer-gun and muzzleloader hunts. There are two off-refuge public boat ramps to access the eight-mile Bushley Creek and no motor restriction. ATV use only is allowed to access the 60-acre Dempsey Lake and the 15-acre Round Lake. Motors larger than 10 hp prohibited.
Sport fishing is permitted on Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge. Only pole/line or rod/reel fishing for finfish is permitted. No snagging. Crawfishing and jug fishing on Headquarters Unit is prohibited. Cowpen Bayou and the Highway 28 borrow pits are open to fishing year-round. Muddy Bayou, Duck Lake and its’ tail waters, Willow Lake, Highway 84 and all other refuge waters are open to fishing and boating March 1-October 31. Only non-motorized boats and boating with motors of 10 horsepower or less are permitted on the Headquarters Unit waters. Small boats that are hand carried to the water may be launched at non-boat ramp sites. Boats may not be left on the refuge overnight.
Fishing must be in accordance with State and refuge regulations. Refuge anglers must obtain and possess a Refuge Special Recreational Activity Permit.
