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

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.

Hunting at Big Stone WMD

• 🦌 Big Game
• 🦆 Waterfowl
• 🦃 Wild Turkey
• 🐦 Upland Birds
• 🕊️ Migratory Birds
• 🐇 Small Game
• 🐗 Feral & Exotic
• 🎣 Fishing

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.

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)

When to hunt Big Stone WMD

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Minnesota sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Permits & licenses

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

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

7-day hunting weather

Waterfowl Production Areas managed by Big Stone WMD

This district manages 24 named WPAs totaling 4,442 acres of walk-in public land. The largest are listed below; each links to its county guide with a satellite map and directions.

Guides for hunting Big Stone WMD

Big Stone WMD FAQ

Nearby refuges & public land

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

• Menzel WPA 20 ac · 1.6 mi N
• Hillman WPA 1,087 ac · 3.2 mi NE
• Bucholz WPA 37 ac · 3.5 mi E
• Redhead Marsh WPA 254 ac · 3.7 mi NW
• Tangen WPA 70 ac · 3.7 mi NW
• Helgeson WPA 199 ac · 4.0 mi N

All refuges in Minnesota →