Big Lake WMA: 2026-27 seasons, rules and map
Big Lake WMA is 19,231 acres of public hunting land in Tensas, Franklin and Madison parishes, owned by LDWF, run from LDWF's Monroe office. Its 2026-27 schedule sets 4 kinds of deer hunt: archery, youth, firearms and primitive firearms, with archery Oct. 1-Jan. 31 (either-sex). Some firearms days have a mandatory deer check. Turkey season is open: April 3-11; youth March 26-28.
Data updated October 2026. Seasons and rules: LDWF's 2026-27 individual WMA schedule for the area. Boundary and acres: LDWF's WMA layer.
Big Lake WMAOther LDWF WMAsNational wildlife refugeLake or riverHighwayCounty line
| Size | 19,231 acres (LDWF's legal acres) |
|---|---|
| Parish | Tensas, Franklin, Madison |
| Owner | LDWF |
| Established | 1983 |
| Deer hunts | Archery, youth, firearms and primitive firearms |
| Archery deer | Oct. 1-Jan. 31 (either-sex) |
| Primitive firearms | Dec. 26-Jan. 8 (either-sex) |
| Firearms deer | Nov. 27-28, Nov. 29 (either-sex); Dec. 12-25 (bucks only) |
| Dogs for deer | No dog deer season on the schedule |
| Turkey | April 3-11; Turkey Youth: March 26-28 |
| LDWF contact | mmcgee@wlf.la.gov or 318.343.4044 |
| Nearest towns | Gilbert (9 mi), Winnsboro (10 mi) and Wisner (11 mi) |
When are the 2026-27 deer hunts on Big Lake WMA?
| Hunt | Deer | Dates and rules, 2026-27 |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Archery | Either-sex | Oct. 1-Jan. 31 |
| Deer Youth | Either-sex | Oct. 31-Nov. 1 only on that portion of the area South of Big Lake and Crystal Roads. See WMA map for details. |
| Deer Firearms | Either-sex | Nov. 27-28, mandatory deer check. Nov. 29, self-clearing permit. |
| Deer Firearms | Bucks only | Dec. 12-25 |
| Deer Primitive Firearms | Either-sex | Dec. 26-Jan. 8 |
Source: LDWF 2026-27 individual WMA hunting schedules, A to K (eRegulations edition), read October 2026. On WMAs, deer seasons are for legal antlered deer unless a hunt says either-sex. LDWF's schedule is the final word.
What else can you hunt on Big Lake WMA, and when?
| Game | 2026-27 season on the area |
|---|---|
| Small Game | Same as outside except closed Oct. 31-Nov. 1 (only that portion of the area South of Big Lake and Crystal Roads. See WMA map for details) and Nov. 27-29. Beagles allowed for rabbits and dogs allowed for squirrel hunting from Nov. 1-Feb. 28, except closed during any gun deer season (modern or primitive firearms). Open to squirrel hunting during the spring season, May 1-9, with or without dogs. |
| Waterfowl | Same as outside except closed after 12 noon. And except closed Nov. 27-29. |
| Raccoon (nighttime) | Jan. 9-Feb. 28. |
| Fishing | Yoyos, limb lines and trotlines prohibited on Big and Chain lakes. Commercial fishing prohibited. |
What rules apply on Big Lake WMA?
- Self-Clearing Permit required for all activities.
- Area Closed (portion): Oct. 31-Nov. 1 to all hunters except Youth Deer Hunters only that portion of the area South of Big Lake and Crystal Roads. That portion North of Big Lake and Crystal Roads open to all activities. See WMA map for details.
- CWD Management Zone: Attention deer hunters, Big Lake WMA is located within a CWD Management Zone. See Chronic Wasting Disease for more information about deer carcass transport regulations.
From LDWF's 2026-27 schedule for the area.
Which parishes is Big Lake WMA in?
| Parish | Acres of the area in it |
|---|---|
| Tensas Parish | 8,027 |
| Franklin Parish | 6,478 |
| Madison Parish | 5,088 |
Measured by FilledTag on LDWF Wildlife Management Area boundaries, September 2025 and the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 parish boundaries.
How do you get to Big Lake WMA?
Highways within 5 miles: LA 4, LA 128, LA 577 and LA 555. Nearest towns: Gilbert (9 miles), Winnsboro (10 miles), Wisner (11 miles) and Delhi (13 miles). LDWF's page for the area, with its map: Big Lake.
The closest other Louisiana WMAs with a page here: Buckhorn WMA (4.3 miles), Boeuf WMA (18.8 miles), J.C. “Sonny” Gilbert WMA (20.1 miles) and Floy Ward McElroy WMA (21.7 miles).
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Big Lake WMA in 2026-27?
Deer Archery (either-sex): Oct. 1-Jan. 31; Deer Youth (either-sex): Oct. 31-Nov. 1 only on that portion of the area South of Big Lake and Crystal Roads. See WMA map for details; Deer Firearms (either-sex): Nov. 27-28, mandatory deer check. Nov. 29, self-clearing permit; Deer Firearms (bucks only): Dec. 12-25; Deer Primitive Firearms (either-sex): Dec. 26-Jan. 8. From LDWF's 2026-27 schedule for the area.
Is Big Lake WMA open for turkey hunting?
Yes: Turkey: April 3-11; Turkey Youth: March 26-28.
What parish is Big Lake WMA in?
Tensas Parish (8,027 acres), Franklin Parish (6,478 acres) and Madison Parish (5,088 acres), measured on LDWF's boundary.
Get a Louisiana hunt plan when they open
Louisiana plans are not open yet. They are coming soon. Join the waiting list; the first 50 hunters get one plan free.
Use the map while you wait for your plan.
You need a WMA Access Permit, a Self-Clearing Permit for each visit and the licenses and tags for what you hunt. The WMA rules on one page. FilledTag is not part of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries; seasons and rules are copied from LDWF, acres and maps from its WMA layer, each with its source above.