National Wildlife Refuge · Arkansas · FWS Region 4

Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge is located in White County, Arkansas, with about 15,436 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 4 open with special regulations, covering about 15,436 huntable acres.

4 with special regsPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
15.4Khuntable acres
15.4KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Bald Knob 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 Bald Knob NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Each year, many pintails end their fall migration at Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1993 to provide important habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammalsFeral & ExoticFeral hogs and other non-native species where refuge rules allow

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

Hunt units (4)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 15,436 (100%)15.4Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations15,436 ac 100%
Units by size (acres)
Waterfowl Sanctuary
7,785 ac
Bison
3,545 ac
Core Waterfowl Area
2,173 ac
Mingo Creek
1,933 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Bison Special regs 3,545 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All state and federal approved huntable and fishable species
Core Waterfowl Area Special regs 2,173 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All state and federal approved huntable and fishable species
Mingo Creek Special regs 1,933 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All state and federal approved huntable and fishable species
Waterfowl Sanctuary Special regs 7,785 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All state and federal approved huntable and fishable species

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All state and federal approved huntable and fishable species

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Arkansas hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Bald Knob NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Primary fishing sites include Pole Brake, Overflow Creek and the numerous irrigation ditches and canals. Available species include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.

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

How to get to Bald Knob NWR

Navigate

Destination: Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
35.24357, -91.58115
DMS
35°14′36.9″N 91°34′52.1″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Stuttgart, AR51 mi N of town
  • Little Rock, AR53 mi NE of town
  • Jonesboro, AR64 mi SW of town
  • Pine Bluff, AR74 mi N of town

Closest airports

  • LIT Little Rock Clinton National51 mi
  • MEM Memphis Intl92 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 Bald Knob 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, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM7:35 PM12h 57m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:18 AM6:48 AM7:15 PM12h 27m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM6:51 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM6:32 PM11h 21m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:56 AM6:26 AM5:13 PM10h 46m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM5:01 PM10h 21m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM4:54 PM9h 59m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM4:55 PM9h 48m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:44 AM7:14 AM5:03 PM9h 49m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:44 AM7:14 AM5:15 PM10h 01m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:36 AM7:06 AM5:32 PM10h 27m

Computed for 35.244, -91.581 (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.

Bald Knob NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Bald Knob NWR?

Yes. Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 4 units (15,436 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Bald Knob NWR?

Yes — Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained online through fws or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Bald Knob NWR?

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

Where is Bald Knob NWR located?

Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge is in White County, Arkansas, about 51 miles N of Stuttgart, AR (straight-line). GPS: 35.24357, -91.58115.

What are legal shooting hours at Bald Knob 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

Greers Ferry NFH

Cleburne County, AR · 30 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Cache River NWR

Monroe County, AR · 38 mi S

10 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

75.2K huntable acres

Dale Bumpers White River NWR

Monroe County, AR · 59 mi SE

13 special4 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🐗🎣

154K huntable acres

Wapanocca NWR

Crittenden County, AR · 77 mi E

2 special
🦌🐦🐇🐗🎣

5.7K huntable acres

Norfork NFH

Baxter County, AR · 79 mi NW

1 closed
🎣

Holla Bend NWR

Pope County, AR · 84 mi W

2 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🐗🎣

6K huntable acres

All refuges in Arkansas →

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