Established in 1937, the 34,886-acre Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge is located on the eastern side of Louisiana's Outback. It manages naturally occurring marsh to provide food for wintering waterfowl that migrate down the Mississippi and Central flyways.
In winter, peak populations exceed 300,000 ducks and geese including large flocks of white-fronted and snow geese, pintail, blue-winged and green-winged teal, mallards, ring-necked ducks, gadwalls, and American wigeon.
During the summer months, breeding populations of black-bellied whistling-ducks, wood ducks, and blue-winged teal make the refuge home. In addition, this refuge is home to one of the only roseate spoonbill nesting rookeries in Louisiana.
Other inhabitants include armadillos, swamp rabbits, fox squirrel, nutria, mink, otters, raccoons, coyotes, white-tailed deer, and a large population of American alligators. Numerous fish, frog, turtle, and snake species are also found on the refuge.
