National Wildlife Refuge · Ohio · FWS Region 3

Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge is located in Lucas County, Ohio, with about 2,593 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: 3 open with special regulations, covering about 2,593 huntable acres.

3 with special regs
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
2.6Khuntable acres
2.6KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Cedar Point 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 Cedar Point NWR

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

Located along the western basin of Lake Erie, Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge draws large concentrations of both dabbling and diving ducks to its extensive marshes and shoreline.

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 mammals

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

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 2,593 (100%)2.6Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations2,593 ac 100%
Units by size (acres)
Controlled Big Game
1,541 ac
Open
903 ac
Daily Permit Area
148 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Controlled Big Game Special regs 1,541 —
Daily Permit Area Special regs 148 —
Open Special regs 903 —

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 Ohio hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Ohio Division of Wildlife
  • 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 Cedar Point NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is permitted in two borrow ponds from May 1–August 31. Non-motorized boats are permitted. Primary species include channel catfish, largemouth bass and sunfish. Ohio state regulations apply.

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

How to get to Cedar Point NWR

Navigate

Destination: Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.68714, -83.32037
DMS
41°41′13.7″N 83°19′13.3″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Toledo, OH12 mi E of town
  • Sandusky, OH36 mi NW of town
  • Detroit, MI47 mi S of town
  • Cleveland, OH85 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • DTW Detroit Metro36 mi
  • CLE Cleveland Hopkins78 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 Cedar Point NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM8:09 PM13h 11m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM7:45 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM7:17 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:13 AM7:43 AM6:53 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM5:29 PM10h 25m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM5:14 PM9h 53m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:10 AM7:40 AM5:04 PM9h 24m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:22 AM7:52 AM5:03 PM9h 11m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:30 AM8:00 AM5:12 PM9h 12m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:27 AM7:57 AM5:25 PM9h 28m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:16 AM7:46 AM5:46 PM10h 01m

Computed for 41.687, -83.320 (EDT / 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.

Cedar Point NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Cedar Point NWR?

Yes. Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (2,593 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Cedar Point NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Cedar Point 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 Cedar Point NWR?

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

Where is Cedar Point NWR located?

Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge is in Lucas County, Ohio, about 12 miles E of Toledo, OH (straight-line). GPS: 41.68714, -83.32037.

What are legal shooting hours at Cedar Point 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

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Shiawassee NWR

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Erie NWR

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All refuges in Ohio →

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