Pecan Brake at French Fork – Catahoula Lake

Recreational land for sale in La Salle Parish

Pecan Brake Lodge at French Fork was founded in 1975 as a family hunting lodge with the emphasis being waterfowl. In 1995, the current owner decided to open part of the waterfowl season to commercial hunting to give hunters from across the country the opportunity to share in this unique hunting experience.Pecan Brake Lodge is located in the epicenter of Louisiana’s famous waterfowl area, just across the fence from the 18,000 acre Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge.  It is located just off of Catahoula Lake, a 25,000 acre natural waterfowl magnet. This lake is designated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. This prestigious recognition assures the future integrity and wise management of Catahoula Lake as a major resource for wildlife and particularly waterfowl within the Mississippi Flyway.The North and South water impoundments are adjacent to the Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge and more importantly, its waterfowl impoundment at ”Little Lake.” For the past 15 years the Refuge and Catahoula Lake have been the wintering ground of upwards of 80,000 canvasback ducks, which approximates ¼ of that species in the Mississippi Flyway.The lodge is 1500 sq.ft., and is on 10-foot creosote pilings, with front and back stairs, wrap around deck and front and back porches; motorized log/luggage lift from downstairs to front porch. It has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, central air and heat, and a large den with a wood burning fireplace. Located immediately southeast of the lodge is the state-operated 63,000 acre Dewey H. Wills Wildlife Management Area, a contiguous area of bottomland and wetland habitat.The farm is comprised of new and old growth hardwood timber, the West boundary of which joins the Catahoula National Wildlife Refuge.  In 2000, 158 acres of the Farm was enrolled in the Wetlands Reserve Program under the USDA, at which time all previously cultivated areas were re-forested with the assistance of Ducks Unlimited with 17,000 bottomland oaks and pecan trees for wildlife.  This has been highly successful for whitetail deer, squirrels, wood ducks, and migrating woodcock.Access to Catahoula Lake is available from French Fork River. Water areas include two 15-acre impoundments sharing a common boundary with the Refuge. At the center of the property is a 30-acre naturally flooded Cypress Brake that is mostly used as a waterfowl resting area, and is suitable for stocking with hybrid bass and bream for fishing when the hunting seasons are closed.  There are all-weather duck blinds in each impoundment, including easy-access boat docks in the North and South ponds, 3 fishing boats; cypress barn for storage; 5 food plots suitable for deer and dove hunting and freshwater wells with high-volume electric irrigation pumps.  These wells greatly facilitate the Moist Soil Management Program.Other sporting opportunities at Pecan Brake include deer, alligator, snipe, and woodcock hunting as well as freshwater fishing.  The fully furnished lodge is ready to open the season, and is completely equipped with everything that you need from the silverware to the bed linens. There are many endless activities for all forms of nature study, especially bird life, and at the end of the day, the  comfortable fully-furnished lodge awaits you! For more information, contact J.J. Keeth at 318.470.0483 or jkeeth@mossyoakproperties.com.

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