Wetland Management District · Minnesota · FWS Region 3

Big Stone Wetland Management District Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Big Stone County, Minnesota, Big Stone Wetland Management District is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 4,442 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open with special regulations, covering about 4,442 huntable acres.

1 with special regs
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
4.4Khuntable acres
4.4KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Big Stone WMD 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 WMD

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Big Stone WMD provides important waterfowl nesting habitat in a part of the state where most wetlands have been drained. With 13 Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) in Lyon and Lincoln counties, Big Stone also offers 2,500 acres of public hunting.

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 (1)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 4,442 (100%)4.4Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations4,442 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
WPA Open Special regs 4,442 —

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 WMD

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

The fishing opportunities on most wetland management districts are marginal but are offered in accordance with state seasons and regulations. Available species include northern pike, walleye, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass and sunfish.

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

How to get to Big Stone WMD

Navigate

Destination: Big Stone Wetland Management District (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
45.26017, -96.33977
DMS
45°15′36.6″N 96°20′23.2″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Morris, MN31 mi SW of town
  • Watertown, SD45 mi NE of town
  • Marshall, MN62 mi NW of town
  • Alexandria, MN64 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • ABR Aberdeen Regional102 mi
  • FAR Fargo Hector Intl117 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 WMD

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 AM7:38 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 AM5:14 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 AM5:06 PM9h 06m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:16 AM7:46 AM5:30 PM9h 44m

Computed for 45.260, -96.340 (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 WMD FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Big Stone WMD?

Yes. Big Stone Wetland Management District offers hunting in 1 unit (4,442 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 WMD?

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

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

Where is Big Stone WMD located?

Big Stone Wetland Management District is in Big Stone County, Minnesota, about 31 miles SW of Morris, MN (straight-line). GPS: 45.26017, -96.33977.

What are legal shooting hours at Big Stone WMD?

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 NWR

Lac qui Parle County, MN · 1.5 mi SW

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9.6K huntable acres

Morris WMD

Stevens County, MN · 33 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 · 50 mi W

1 open1 closed
🦌🎣

4.6K huntable acres

Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR

Lincoln County, MN · 57 mi S

1 open3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

6.7K huntable acres

Fergus Falls WMD

Otter Tail County, MN · 69 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.