Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome to Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge, an oasis of bottomland hardwood forests, ponds, and lakes nested in the Mississippi/Red River floodplains near Marksville.

Refuge History: Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge, named after the region’s largest lake, was established in 1988 in order to protect the region’s delicate ecosystems and protect habitat for wild animals including birds traveling the Mississippi and Central Flyways.

Wildlife: Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge is home to numerous wild critters including northern shovelers, ducks, geese, foxes, bobcats, alligators, otters, wild turkeys, minks, and hundreds of others. Please treat their home with respect.

For the lover of the outdoors this refuge boasts miles of multipurpose trails and lakes stocked with catfish, bass, and crappie. Come on out and have a blast!