The historical events surrounding the Catahoula Lake Basin have been a subject of discussion and concern for almost two decades now. Since 2007, the Louisiana Wildlife Federation has been actively engaged in the events surrounding the Catahoula Lake Basin and has worked to provide its members, as well as the public, with a fair and balanced understanding of the events. It has been the goal of LWF to operate within the framework of the legal decision to encourage all involved parties to work towards goals that represent the best interests of the wildlife and the habitat that supports that resource. As efforts are underway to bring closure to these legal challenges, the Federation has created a space for interested parties to review our position and history of action to better understand how the Basin has evolved throughout this process. LWF will continue to support involved parties with their habitat restoration efforts and will remain diligent in our mission to support the wildlife that utilize the Basin every year. Below you will find a link to a position paper, commissioned by LWF, to explain the factual events of the legal challenge as they occurred. In addition, links to the Federation’s actions to encourage USFWS to engage in the process of acknowledging their responsibilities as a riparian landowner and our position to support comprehensive habitat management for the benefit of the wildlife resource are attached for review.
The legal decisions that declared Catahoula Lake no longer a lake but a river that floods periodically have been a subject of discussion, consternation, and concern for nearly two decades. Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) has worked to provide its members, as well as the public, with a factual and balanced understanding of these events as we perceive it.
LWF’s initial engagement included participation in an amicus brief filed in the appeal of the case before the Louisiana Supreme Court that urged consideration of the ecosystem as a lake and supported the State of Louisiana in their position of Catahoula Lake being a lake that is owned by the state. While we believe that was the correct position, we acknowledge the final court rulings in Crooks et al vs. State of Louisiana, Department of Natural Resources and have continued our efforts to provide a position of support for the critical habitat within the Catahoula Lake Basin.
To understand the timeline and decisions of the case, please read this 4-page briefing document HERE.
As of 2025, efforts are underway to bring closure to this legal decision, mainly through the boundary surveys needed to declare ownership. LWF’s long history of support for public access and the public’s right to enjoy the natural resources of our state underscores our action to urge the federal government and the state to assert their boundaries in this process.
LWF has been encouraging all parties involved to work towards common goals that represent the best interests of wildlife and the habitat that supports our natural resources.
We will continue to encourage comprehensive ecosystem management, including water levels in the Basin, and habitat restoration efforts. We will remain diligent in our mission to elevate the needs of wildlife that depend on a healthy Catahoula Lake Basin in their migration every year. We will support public access where possible so that hunters, anglers, birders, and others can continue to enjoy Catahoula Lake Basin in their recreational uses.
The following timeline is how we’ve responded so far and explains some of the factual events of the legal challenge as they occurred, including links to associated documents of interest.
Fall 2025– Currently court-ordered surveys are underway to determine riparian landowner boundary lines between the established low-water survey mark and the high-water survey mark, as directed by the courts.
August 2025– LWF released a detailed 4-page historical account of the Crooks vs. Louisiana DNR decision. This document explains the factual events of the court decision as they occurred.
July 2025– LWF’s statement detailing our request for USFWS to engage in their riparian landowner responsibilities by acknowledging their ownership of new lands and participating in land agreements with adjoining landowners.
https://lawildlifefed.org/wp-content/uploads/LWF-position-Catahoula-Lake-2025.pdf
June 2025– LWF sent members and followers an Action Alert directed to Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation for assistance with encouraging USFWS to engage in boundary decisions at Catahoula NWR. The Federation documented approximately 500 messages sent to Senators and Representatives in a call for action.
Tell USFWS to Claim Their Boundaries in the Catahoula Lake Basin – Louisiana Wildlife Federation
June 2025– LWF Staff and Board Members began meeting with staffers for Senator John Kennedy, Senator Bill Cassidy, Speaker Mike Johnson, Congresswoman Julia Letlow, and Congressman Fields to draw attention to the urgency needed for the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to engage in boundary setting that would include Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) for the public’s benefit.
March 2025– LWF board members, along with representatives from other organizations, travel to USFWS Regional Headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., to meet with USFWS personnel to encourage them to engage in boundary discussions with adjoining landowners at Catahoula NWR.
February 2025– Louisiana Wildlife Federation conducts a poll to receive public feedback on issues and concerns for the Catahoula Lake Basin and its path forward.
https://lawildlifefed.org/wp-content/uploads/LWF-Catahoula-Lake-Poll-Summary-1.pdf
October 2023– Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enters into land agreements with adjoining landowners and submits a court petition to have USFWS enter into an agreement on land boundaries.
Rehearing of Case Affecting Catahoula Lake Ownership is Denied – Louisiana Wildlife Federation
October 2023– LWF submits a letter urging the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission to engage in the Catahoula Lake Basin issue to protect valuable wildlife habitat.
LWF Raises Concerns to Wildlife & Fisheries over Catahoula Lake – Louisiana Wildlife Federation
November 2022– Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Commission takes action to add 2,440 acres to Dewey Wills WMA as a part of the legal decision regarding Catahoula Lake. The Department successfully entered into land agreements with adjoining landowners at the landowner boundary lines were accepted by the court.
October 2020– LWF submits a letter to the LDWF, USFWS, and the USACE, members of the Tri-Party Agreement for Catahoula Lake, to continue water management for the benefit of waterfowl and the wildlife that use the Lake.
April 2020– LWF updates members and the public about the current court decision on Catahoula Lake.
Rehearing of Case Affecting Catahoula Lake Ownership is Denied – Louisiana Wildlife Federation
January 2020– Louisiana Supreme Court’s decision Crooks vs. Louisiana DNR.
https://lawildlifefed.org/wp-content/uploads/Supreme-Court_Jan.-2020-decision.pdfSportsmen and Women Unite in Court Case that Challenges State Ownership of Catahoula Lake – Louisiana Wildlife Federation
July 2019– LWF adopts a resolution in support of public ownership and management of Catahoula Lake.
https://lawildlifefed.org/resolution/support-for-public-ownership-and-management-of-catahoula-lake/
February 2019– LWF joins partners in filing an Amicus Brief in support of the State of Louisiana and their defense of the ownership of Catahoula Lake
Questions? Contact Rick Owens, LWF’s Advocacy Manager, at rick@lawildlifefed.org for more information.