National Wildlife Refuge · North Dakota · FWS Region 6

Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge lies in Stutsman County, North Dakota, with about 13,351 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 12,720 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
12.7Khuntable acres
13.4KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Arrowwood NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Arrowwood NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, wild turkey, upland birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Hunting is allowed in accordance with state and federal regulations. It is the responsibility of the hunter to be aware of all special refuge regulations and the boundaries of the hunting units before going afield.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow North Dakota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 12,720 (95%)Closed: 632 (5%)12.7Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations12,720 ac 95%
  • Closed632 ac 5%
Units by size (acres)
Hunt Unit
12,720 ac
Closed Unit
632 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Hunt Unit Special regs 12,720 —
Closed Unit Closed 632 —

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid North Dakota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — North Dakota Game and Fish Department
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Arrowwood NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is allowed in accordance with state and refuge regulations. Regulations are set by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department and must be observed in all refuge fishing areas.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Arrowwood NWR

Navigate

Destination: Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
47.16782, -98.78969
DMS
47°10′04.2″N 98°47′22.9″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Jamestown, ND18 mi N of town
  • Carrington, ND25 mi SE of town
  • Valley City, ND41 mi NW of town
  • Devils Lake, ND65 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • GFK Grand Forks Intl92 mi
  • FAR Fargo Hector Intl94 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Arrowwood NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Chicago local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM8:17 PM13h 25m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM7:49 PM12h 39m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:02 AM7:32 AM7:17 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:21 AM7:51 AM6:49 PM10h 58m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM5:20 PM10h 04m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:08 AM7:38 AM5:01 PM9h 24m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:30 AM8:00 AM4:48 PM8h 48m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:44 AM8:14 AM4:45 PM8h 31m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:51 AM8:21 AM4:54 PM8h 33m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:47 AM8:17 AM5:10 PM8h 53m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:31 AM8:01 AM5:35 PM9h 33m

Computed for 47.168, -98.790 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Arrowwood NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Arrowwood NWR?

Yes. Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (12,720 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, wild turkey, upland birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Arrowwood NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Arrowwood NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Arrowwood NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Arrowwood NWR located?

Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge is in Stutsman County, North Dakota, about 18 miles N of Jamestown, ND (straight-line). GPS: 47.16782, -98.78969.

What are legal shooting hours at Arrowwood NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Arrowwood WMD

Stutsman County, ND · 7.6 mi NW

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

6.3K huntable acres

Chase Lake Prairie Project WMD

Stutsman County, ND · 21 mi W

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

40K huntable acres

Chase Lake NWR

Stutsman County, ND · 33 mi W

1 special
🦌

4.4K huntable acres

Valley City NFH

Barnes County, ND · 39 mi E

1 closed
🎣

Valley City WMD

Barnes County, ND · 39 mi E

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

19.7K huntable acres

Slade NWR

Kidder County, ND · 50 mi SW

1 special
🦌🦃🐦🐇

3K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in North Dakota →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.