Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge Could Return Thousands of Acres to Public Access
Ask Louisiana’s Congressional delegation to urge the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to set the new boundaries for the expansion of Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge. This would add significant acreage for public access and they must finalize ownership on behalf of the public while adjacent landowners are setting their boundaries too.
- Help conserve critical habitat for migratory waterfowl, shorebirds
- Support protecting public lands and public recreation use
- Ensure the future of this world-class destination
Delays in setting property boundaries in the aftermath of the Crooks decision are stalling critical wildlife habitat management that is impacting the entire system generally known as Catahoula Lake. Establishing the property boundaries of Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) would provide increased public access and allow the USFWS to enter land agreements to comprehensively manage a large portion of this important habitat sooner rather than later. While the private landowner plaintiffs are proceeding with their surveying, the Federal Government should complete their survey ASAP and assert their ownership of adjacent land for the public’s benefit and use. We encourage USFWS to model efforts by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and engage in the process. LDWF has been proactive in their efforts and has been successful in securing land agreements with several of their adjoining neighbors. These agreements were accepted by the Courts and have allowed LDWF to begin the much-needed process of habitat management and rehabilitation.
Louisiana Wildlife Federation is calling for action now
Help support public and private landowners setting their property boundaries. Surveying boundaries is proceeding too slowly. Additional resources, particularly for setting the boundaries of the Catahoula NWR, would speed up the process. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service should assert ownership of and expand the new boundaries of Catahoula NWR to the maximum extent possible. This would expeditiously facilitate boundary setting with the Dewey Wills Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
How you can help
LWF has been in contact with our Congressional Delegation to educate them on the status of Catahoula Lake and our desire to gain their assistance with encouraging USFWS to engage in the ongoing process of land establishment and property management. You can help by contacting your US Representative and Senators to let them know you agree with LWF and encourage them to reach out to USFWS representatives on the matter. In addition, LWF encourages you to contact your State Representatives and State Senators to include them in our efforts to compel USFWS to engage in conversations for the betterment of the habitat and our natural resources. The Catahoula NWR could expand significantly more than the neighboring Dewey Wills WMA, which expanded approximately 2,440 acres as a result of the Crooks litigation. These expanded public lands are vital for outdoor enthusiasts and sportsmen to be afforded an opportunity to continue to enjoy this unique piece of Louisiana’s “Sportsmen’s Paradise”.
What To Do Now
1. Contact your representatives using our action alert page: https://lawildlifefed.org/lets-connect/take-action/
2. Call delegation members about Catahoula Lake Basin:
- Senator Bill Cassidy at 202-224-5824
- Senator John Kennedy at 202-224-4623
- Congressman Troy Carter at 202-225-6636
- Congressman Cleo Fields at 202-225-3901
- Congressman Clay Higgins at 202-225-2031
- House Speaker Mike Johnson at 202-225-2777
- Congresswoman Julia Letlow at 202-225-8490
- Congressman Steve Scalise at 202-225-3015
3. Express your concerns directly to USFWS to engage in the final Court ruling as a riparian landowner. You can contact USFWS directly at: https://www.fws.gov/contact-us
–>Learn more about the Louisiana Wildlife Federation’s position on Catahoula Lake, including a survey LWF conducted in 2025.
Questions? Contact Rick Owens, LWF’s Advocacy Manager, at rick@lawildlifefed.org for more information or help submitting a comment. Thanks for taking action!