Sabine National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1937, is one of more than 560 refuges within America's National Wildlife Refuge System. Located eight miles south of Hackberry, on State Highway 27 in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, the refuge occupies the marshes between Calcasieu and Sabine lakes in southwest Louisiana. This area contains a diversity of habitat including freshwater impoundments, wooded ridges and levees, canals, ponds, lakes, and bayous. Some of the largest wetland management efforts in Louisiana occur at Sabine.
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Commercial Fishing Guide Special Use Permits (SUP).

We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Commercial Fishing Guide Special Use Permits (SUP). From January 12– February 28, 2026, we will be accepting SUP applications.  There are several important reminders for the application process this year to take note of, which are covered below. 
2026 Application Process:
As a reminder, as of 2024, we are requiring each company to submit one SUP application that covers all guides who will guide for the company for the year.  The company will be issued one SUP, which will include the names of approved guides guiding under the company permit.  Please note that company permits are subject to revocation if any company guide, employee, subcontractor, or agent is found to be in violation of Refuge regulations. A fee of $375 will be required for each guide under a company permit.  Each guide will receive an individual boat sticker that has been assigned to them. For individual guides not associated with a company, the process for SUP application submission will remain the same as last year (submit a SUP application on your own behalf, along with the other required items listed below). 
The deadline to apply during this application period will be February 28, 2026 – all applications must be received by this date and include all required documents.  Applications submitted outside of this established deadline will not be accepted.  Please allow up to 14 days for us to issue you the SUP once we receive your complete application. We will process complete application packages (including all required information/credentials/payments) for all guides listed on the SUP application in the order in which they are received.  Required documents are listed below. 
Permitting Steps:
Send us the complete SUP application package. You may either: 
1.   Preferred: email your application and all required documents (except payment) to swlrcomplex@fws.gov. You can mail the $375.00 payment separately or you can bring it with you if you choose to pick up your permit and sticker in person.
-OR- 
2.   Mail your application and all required documents (including payment(s)) to: 
Sabine National Wildlife Refuge
3000 Holly Beach Highway
Hackberry, LA 70645 
Once we receive the application, we will create the permit and reach out to you regarding how you would like to receive it. You may choose from the following options: 
1.   You can make an appointment to pick up your permit and boat sticker in person at Sabine NWR. Please note that pick up is by appointment only.
-OR- 
2.   You may choose to have the permit and sticker mailed to you at no extra cost. If you choose this option, we will ask you to sign the permit by email (either sign electronically then email back to us, or print/sign/scan/email it back to us). Either way, you must sign the permit before we can issue it to you. 
Required Documents:
A completed SUP application by the company (or by an individual guide not associated with a company), which must be signed and dated at the bottom.
For each listed guide in the SUP application:
1. Completed 2025 Annual Fishing Guide Report if you received a permit from us last year.
2. Copy/scan of your current Merchant Mariner Credential
3. Copy/scan of your current Louisiana Charter Boat Guide Pass
4. Copy/scan of proof of insurance for the boat(s) you will use to guide
5. Copy/scan of proof registration for the boat(s) you will use to guide
6. Payment of $375.00 per guide in form of check or money order made out to:  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
***(NOT LDWF/Wildlife and Fisheries)***
Please send completed applications to swlrcomplex@fws.gov as well as reach out to us with any questions.

Visit Us

Located approximately 26 miles south of Sulphur, Louisiana, Sabine National Wildlife Refuge has numerous recreation areas where you can fish, crab or take a hike. Whether you are looking for an alligator to photograph or just a place to stretch your legs, the Wetland Walkway is always an adventure.

Learn more about our hunting regulations here: Southwest Louisiana Hunting Regulations

Learn more about our fishing and boating regulations here: Southwest Louisiana Fishing and Boating Regulations

Location and Contact Information

      Tours

      Auto tour

      Beginning about 26 miles south of Sulphur, Louisiana on State Highway 27 South, Sabine NWR includes several recreational areas accessible by car. Be sure to observe local traffic signs and laws, posted closures, and prohibited activities.

      The refuge and its roadside recreation areas may be accessed via automobile year round, from dawn until dusk, excluding posted closures

      What We Do

      Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
      A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

      Learn more about national wildlife refuge       is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used. Using conservation best practices, the Refuge System manages Service lands and waters to help ensure the survival of native wildlife species. 

      Our Organization

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
      Program
      Washington,DC

      Our Species

      The refuge was created with the primary goal of providing habitat and breeding grounds for migratory birds and waterfowl. The estuarine systems found in the refuge also provide habitat for a highly diverse community of other wildlife including several species of native fish, crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians, reptiles, and birds.

      Get Involved

      Discover for yourself what tens of thousands of volunteers have learned: Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fun and rewarding in many ways. Master new skills. Meet new friends. Enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to further wildlife conservation for the pleasure of generations to follow. Check out our station's latest volunteer opportunities on volunteer.gov

      Volunteers and student interns provide much needed assistance with refuge programs.  They are often able to complete work that the refuge staff would be unable to do.  The hours, work assignments, and more are tailored to meet the needs of both the refuge and the volunteer or intern.

      Nature does not recognize human-made boundaries. In order to conserve our natural and cultural resources effectively, we must work with others to bridge these boundaries. Partnerships foster creative solutions to challenging situations and often the results are greater than the sum of the parts.  Learn more about our local partners.

      Partnerships are very important to help the refuge achieve its goals, objectives, and strategies, leverage funds, minimize costs, and bridge relationships with others.

      Youth Programs open the door to a potentially life-changing experience. If you land a student internship, a fellowship or a volunteer opportunity at a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
      A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

      Learn more about national wildlife refuge       , fish hatchery or other Fish and Wildlife Service site, you’re bound to come away with new insights and excitement about conservation.