Wildlife management areas reopen Saturday

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reopening three wildlife management areas that were closed in advance of Hurricane Isaac's landfall.

Officials say Joyce, Manchac and a portion of Pearl River will reopen Saturday. Due to flood water preventing full site access, only that part of Pearl River WMA south of I-10 will be opened, until further notice.

Additionally, the Swamp Walk on Joyce WMA will remain closed until further notice.

Within Manchac, a portion of the site known as "The Prairie" is designated as a limited access area and internal combustion engines are not allowed from September through January.

LDWF sites that remain closed include Elm Hall (Assumption Parish); Elmer's Island (Jefferson Parish); and Maurepas Swamp (Ascension, Livingston, St. James and St. John the Baptist parishes).