Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge
Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge
Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1996, is located in Terrebonne Parish in southeast Louisiana. The 4,419 acre refuge is composed of freshwater marsh and cypress-tupelo swamp. The refuge provides excellent habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, and neotropical songbirds. Access is by boat only and foot travel is extremely difficult due to the soft marsh environment. The Mandalay Refuge Nature Trail provides a glimpse into three different habitat types in a 45 minute round-trip walk. The refuge is open year round to the public from sunrise to sunset, with seasonal restrictions in some areas. Wildlife observation, boating and fishing are allowed on the refuge year round except in areas closed to public access. Hunting is permitted on the refuge in specific areas and under date, time, and lottery restrictions
Getting There...
The refuge is located 5 miles southwest of Houma, LA. Houma is approximately 60 miles southwest of New Orleans, LA. The refuge is only accessible by boat. The headquaters is located 5 miles West of Houma, LA on LA Highway 182. The Mandalay Refuge Nature Trail is accessible by vehicle from LA highway 182. The Nature Trail access road is found approximately 0.75 miles west of the Refuge headquarters which is located at 3599 Bayou Black Drive (LA 182). The Nature Trail is open 7 days per week daylight hours only.
Fishing
Boating and fishing are allowed year-round in portions of the refuge. Quality of fishing ranges from poor to fair with largemouth bass and crappie being the most common species fished for. Fishing from shore is allowed on the refuge. Nearby public boat launches allow convenient access to the refuge.
Hunting
Portions of the refuge are open to hunting of white-tailed deer, feral hogs, and waterfowl each fall. Permits and special regulations apply; please contact refuge headquarters for specific information.
Wildlife Observation & Photography
The numerous miles of waterways and canals bisect the fresh water marsh, and a upland oak-cypress-gum ridge and provides an opportunity to view a wide array of both upland and wetland wildlife. Entrance to the refuge is through public boat launches. The Mandalay Refuge Nature trail provides a great place to view song birds. Visitors may also see wood ducks, black-bellied whistling ducks, or wading birds from the marsh overlook at the end of the trail.
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