U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

photos by: Walter Clifton

Carr Drive

Big Branch National 

Wildlife Refuge



Refuge Boundary

Private Inholdings

Parking Lot

State Park

Public

Launch

Facility

Non-motorized boat launch 

This sign means that the area is closed to all entry.

Do not trespass behind this sign for any reason.

These signs mark the outer refuge boundary.

Public entry is generally autherized. However, other

refuges in the system may have different regulations

concering general entry. Always know the regulations

before entering.

P

P

P

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

AREA

BEYOND

THIS

SIGN

CLOSED All public entry prohibited

U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

BOUNDARY Department

 of the

 Interior

Consult Manager

for current regulations

NATIONAL

WILDLIFE

REFUGE

UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY

PROHIBITED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

Thompson Road

Pipeline Canal

Pipeline

(LA. 433)

(LA. 433)

Goose

Point

Point

Platte Point du Chien

Big

Point 

Bayou Bonfouca

B

Bayou Liberty Road

ayou Liberty

Pipeline

   

Lemieux Road

190

12

Transmitter 

Road

Lacombe

Harbor

Road

Bayou Paquet Road

434

Cane Bayou

434

190

Fountainbleau St. Park

To Mandeville

Canoe launch,

Parking, Environmental

Education Site

Town of Lacombe

Boy 

Scout 

Road

LA 43 3

Town of

Slidell

To New Orleans

To Covington

B. La

oc

m be

Headquarters

and Visitor 

Center

10

P

P

P P

P

11

P Bayou

Lacombe

Boardwalk 

Slough on Boy Scout Road
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

This blue goose, designed by "Ding Darling," has become a symbol of

the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Big Branch Marsh

National Wildlife Refuge

General

Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge was established in

1994. It is the last large undeveloped natural area on the north

shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Within it are interfaces of sandy

beaches, offshore grass beds, marshes, hardwood hammocks,

and pine ridges.

This diversity of habitats supports a wide variety of wildlife

species. The refuge attracts shorebirds, wading birds,

neotropical migratory birds, and wintering and resident

waterfowl. A variety of mammal species, including game

species such as white-tailed deer and swamp rabbits,

furbearers such as mink, otter, raccoon, muskrat, nutria and

many other non-game species are found here in abundance.

The marshes provide critical spawning and nursery habitat for

a number of fresh and saltwater species. Shrimp, crabs,

redfish, speckled trout, largemouth bass, catfish, bream, and

other species can all be found within the refuge at least part of

the year.

The management objectives of the refuge are to (1) provide

habitat for a natural diversity of wildlife associated with Big

Branch Marsh, especially those listed as threatened or

endangered, (2) provide wintering habitat for migratory

waterfowl, (3) provide nesting habitat for wood ducks, (4)

provide habitat for non-game migrating birds, and (5) provide

opportunities for public outdoor recreation.

Environmental Education Programs

Formal environmental education programs, targeted for

various ages, are offered on the refuge. These highlight the

wildlife and habitats of the refuge, and encourage students to

become advocates for our country's natural heritage wherever

they live. Classroom visits by refuge staff are also available.

Schools or other organized groups should contact the refuge

well in advance to make reservations for EE programs.

Interpretive Tours of the Refuge

Interpretive tours are presented every weekend by refuge

staff and volunteers. These include canoeing, biking, hiking and

bird-watching tours. A quarterly calendar of tours and other

events is published,

and can be obtained at

the visitor center or by

mail.

National Wildlife

Refuge Week

National Wildlife

Refuge Week is

celebrated each year

at Big Branch Marsh

NWR in mid-October.

Displays, tours,

demonstrations, and presentations by special guests spotlight

this as well as other refuges in the Southeast Louisiana

complex and around the country.

Hunting and Fishing

The primary objective of National Wildlife Refuges is to

provide habitat for the conservation and protection of all

species of fish and wildlife. Harvesting surplus animals is one

tool used to maintain wildlife populations at a level compatible

with the environment, provide wholesome recreational

opportunities, and permit the use of a valuable renewable

resource.

Both hunting and fishing are permitted on Big Branch Marsh,

subject to regulations contained in the refuge's annual hunting

and fishing brochure. This brochure is available at the visitor

center or by mail, and contains the required hunting permit..

Other recreational users should be aware of hunting seasons

on the refuge. Visitors should wear hunter orange for safety

during hunting seasons. State fishing and hunting licenses are

required to fish or hunt on the refuge.

Recreational Opportunities

Hiking

The best hiking opportunities are on Boy Scout Road, where a

4.5-mile round trip walk takes you through several refuge

habitats to the edge of Bayou Lacombe. A 1/4 mile boardwalk

trail also begins here, and travels to the edge of a nearby

cypress slough. A detailed interpretive guide to Boy Scout

Road is available from the visitor center.

Biking

Boy Scout Road is also great for a 4.5-mile bike trip, with a

smooth graveled surface. Mountain bikes are recommended.

The interpretive guide to Boy Scout Road will help you enjoy

your trip. The Tammany Trace paved bike path, while not on

the refuge, runs very near it and provides access to several

refuge locations.

Canoeing

Canoeing opportunities are best on Cane Bayou, at the western

end of the refuge. A canoe launch is located at the Cane Bayou

Access area, off of Lemieux Road. From there, a round trip of

about three miles takes you downstream to Lake

Pontchartrain. The mix of pine and hardwoods gives way to

cypress and willow as you near the lake. Osprey are often seen

in this area.

Endangered Species

Nesting clusters of red-cockaded woodpeckers are found on Big

Branch Marsh. This cavity-nesting bird utilizes mature pine

trees in which to build its nests. As logging has occurred

throughout its range, RCW's have found it difficult to find

proper nest sites. Management programs such as prescribed

burning seek to enhance habitats for this endangered species.

For Your Safety

Be prepared and observe regulations concerning: fishing and

hunting license requirements,; refuge hunt permits; closed

areas; boat registration; life jackets and other required safety

equipment.

Big Branch Marsh NWR is a daylight-use-only refuge.

Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.

Tell a relative or friend where you are going and when you

should return.

During hunting season, non-hunters are encouraged to wear

hunter orange vests.

Prohibited

Feeding, enticing, or disturbing alligators or any other wildlife.

Air-thrust boats, motorized pirogues, mud boats, and go-devils.

Taking, collecting, or injuring any plant.

Taking, collecting, or injuring any wildlife not in season on the

refuge.

Use of trotlines, jug lines, gill nets, hoop nets, slat boxes, and

commercial fishing of any kind.

Motorized vehicles off public roads, designated trails, and

parking areas.

Firearms are permitted ONLY during the refuge hunting

season for which a permit is required.

Visitor Center

The refuge Visitor Center is located in Lacombe, Louisiana at

61389 Highway 434, 1/4 mile north of U.S. 190, and 2 miles

south of I-12. There you will find exhibits, information, a sales

area, and a backyard wildlife demonstration garden. Visitor

Center hours are 8:30 am - 5:00 pm daily. The Center is closed

New Year's Day, Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving, and Christmas

Day. The phone number is (504) 882 3881.

Surrounding the Visitor Center is a 110-acre tract of the refuge

along Bayou Lacombe. This beautiful property contains a

variety of formal garden areas and ornamental species, and

was once operated as a commercial garden attraction. The site

has also been the home of a Louisiana governor and, most

recently, a boarding school operated by the Redemptorist

Fathers. The grounds are currently used for special events and

environmental education programs. The site will become the

headquarters for the Southeast Louisiana Refuges Complex.

From here the Complex will manage Big Branch Marsh as well

as six other National Wildlife Refuges in the region.

When Visiting Big Branch Marsh National

Wildlife Refuge

Lodging is available in nearby communities of Lacombe,

Slidell, and Mandeville/Covington. Various restaurants, gas

stations, and a grocery store are located in the town of

Lacombe. General tourist information is available from the St.

Tammany Parish

Tourist and

Convention

Commission, located

at Exit 65 from

Interstate 12. Their

address is 68099

Highway 59,

Mandeville, La. 70471;

phone (504) 892 1441.

Giant blue iris

Mink

Red-cockaded woodpecker

White-eyed Vireo