National Wildlife Refuge · Minnesota · FWS Region 3

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge lies in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, with about 11,657 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 9,574 huntable acres.

2 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
9.6Khuntable acres
11.7KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Big Stone 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 Big Stone 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 variety of species can be hunted on Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge, but most hunters come here to pursue pheasant. On a good year, sportsmen find birds throughout the grassland habitat that surrounds the refuge's marshes and lakes.

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 Minnesota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 9,574 (82%)Closed: 2,083 (18%)9.6Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations9,574 ac 82%
  • Closed2,083 ac 18%
Units by size (acres)
Hunt Unit A
5,686 ac
Hunt Unit B
3,888 ac
Closed
2,083 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Hunt Unit A Special regs 5,686 —
Hunt Unit B Special regs 3,888 —
Closed Closed 2,083 —

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 Minnesota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  • 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 Big Stone NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is offered along banks of the reservoir and the refuge's rivers -- the Minnesota and the Yellowbank. Available species include northern pike, bullhead, smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye and yellow perch.

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

How to get to Big Stone NWR

Navigate

Destination: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
45.24401, -96.36155
DMS
45°14′38.4″N 96°21′41.6″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Morris, MN32 mi SW of town
  • Watertown, SD44 mi NE of town
  • Marshall, MN62 mi NW of town
  • Willmar, MN65 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • ABR Aberdeen Regional101 mi
  • FSD Sioux Falls Regional116 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 Big Stone 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, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM8:05 PM13h 20m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM7:39 PM12h 37m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM7:08 PM11h 46m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:09 AM7:39 AM6:42 PM11h 03m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM5:15 PM10h 12m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:52 AM7:22 AM4:57 PM9h 35m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:13 AM7:43 AM4:45 PM9h 02m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:27 AM7:57 AM4:43 PM8h 46m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:34 AM8:04 AM4:52 PM8h 48m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:31 AM8:01 AM5:07 PM9h 06m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:16 AM7:46 AM5:30 PM9h 44m

Computed for 45.244, -96.362 (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.

Big Stone NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Big Stone NWR?

Yes. Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (9,574 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 Big Stone NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Big Stone 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 Big Stone NWR?

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

Where is Big Stone NWR located?

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge is in Lac qui Parle County, Minnesota, about 32 miles SW of Morris, MN (straight-line). GPS: 45.24401, -96.36155.

What are legal shooting hours at Big Stone 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

Big Stone WMD

Big Stone County, MN · 1.5 mi NE

1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

4.4K huntable acres

Morris WMD

Stevens County, MN · 35 mi NE

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

56.6K huntable acres

Waubay WMD

Day County, SD · 49 mi W

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

41.1K huntable acres

Waubay NWR

Day County, SD · 49 mi W

1 open1 closed
🦌🎣

4.6K huntable acres

Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR

Lincoln County, MN · 56 mi S

1 open3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

6.7K huntable acres

Fergus Falls WMD

Otter Tail County, MN · 70 mi N

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

49.4K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in Minnesota →

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