Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has scheduled a drawdown of the Wham Brake Impoundment at Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area (WMA), beginning Wednesday, April 8, 2026, to manage invasive vegetation and enhance habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife.
The initiative targets giant cutgrass (Zizaniopsis miliacea), an invasive species that overtakes desirable moist-soil vegetation essential for migrating and wintering waterfowl. By lowering water levels in the impoundment, LDWF aims to expose and control the cutgrass, paving the way for beneficial plants that support a diverse array of wildlife. Boaters can still access Wham Brake during this period, though officials urge caution due to emerging hazards from receding waters.
Once the drawdown is complete, LDWF personnel will apply herbicide aerially across approximately 1,000 acres infested with giant cutgrass. About 60 days post-treatment, re-flooding efforts will commence, contingent on rainfall patterns. This cyclical management practice underscores LDWF’s commitment to maintaining high-quality habitats within the WMA.
Russell Sage WMA, spanning 38,208 acres across Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, and Caldwell parishes, represents one of the largest intact remnants of the bottomland hardwood forests that once dominated the lower Mississippi River floodplain. Located about 7 miles east of Monroe and 10 miles west of Rayville, the area is readily accessible via U.S. Highways 80 and 165, Louisiana Highway 15, and Interstate 20. A network of all-weather gravel roads and ATV trails facilitates visitor entry, with 12 self-clearing permit stations at key points.
Elevations here range from 55 to 63 feet above sea level, creating a flat, poorly drained landscape prone to annual winter and spring flooding. This natural hydrology, combined with sloughs and shallow bayous, fosters rich biodiversity. Habitats include expansive bottomland hardwoods dominated by oak-elm-ash and overcup oak-bitter pecan stands, alongside cypress-tupelo, gum, and black willow areas. Understory species such as peppervine, deciduous holly, poison ivy, rattan, and buttonbush add layers to the ecosystem.
LDWF actively manages the WMA for key species including waterfowl, white-tailed deer, squirrel, rabbit, dove, raccoon, snipe, woodcock, largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, catfish, and the increasingly sighted Louisiana black bear. Central to these efforts are 13 dedicated waterfowl management units encompassing 7,770 acres. These include 2,500 acres of flooded agricultural fields, 4,500 acres of moist-soil management units like Wham Brake, 2,550 acres of greentree impoundments, and 220 acres of shallow water areas. Such infrastructure bolsters foraging opportunities during migration seasons.
Restoration initiatives further enhance the landscape; LDWF has planted roughly 4,000 acres of hardwood seedlings to reclaim portions previously cleared for agriculture. A dove field sown annually with brown-top millet supports small game, while specialized areas cater to physically challenged hunters during deer and waterfowl seasons. Youth hunts for deer and squirrel promote generational engagement with conservation.
Outdoor enthusiasts flock to Russell Sage for premier recreational pursuits. Hunting ranks supreme, with white-tailed deer and waterfowl drawing the most participants, alongside excellent opportunities for squirrel and rabbit in managed zones, sloughs, and waterways. Anglers target freshwater staples like bass, crappie, and catfish, with boating, crawfishing, and frogging adding variety. Primitive camping at two sites, hiking along pipeline trails, horseback riding, berry picking, and birding round out the offerings. A wildlife viewing tower overlooks impoundments, ideal for spotting neotropical birds, shorebirds, raptors, wading birds, and black bears.
As the first WMA owned by LDWF—initially purchased in 1960 with 15,000 acres and expanded through leases and acquisitions—the site exemplifies proactive habitat restoration and conservation. Consolidation with the former Ouachita WMA in March 2015 amplified its scope. These drawdown and herbicide applications at Wham Brake exemplify ongoing strategies to combat invasives and sustain viable populations for future generations.
For more details, contact WMA Manager Mitch McGee at 318-343-4044 or mmcgee@wlf.la.gov.
For more information, visit Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.