National Wildlife Refuge · Missouri · FWS Region 3

Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Pike County, Missouri, Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 3,924 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its lands extend into Illinois. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules and 2 open with special regulations, covering about 3,924 huntable acres.

1 open unit2 with special regs
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
3.9Khuntable acres
3.9KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Clarence Cannon 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 Clarence Cannon NWR

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.

Refuge lands are open for general use from ½ hour before legal sunrise to ½ hour after legal sunset.

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 Missouri regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Open: 2,684 (68%)Special regulations: 1,240 (32%)3.9Khuntable acres
  • Open2,684 ac 68%
  • Special regulations1,240 ac 32%
Units by size (acres)
West Unit
2,684 ac
Riverside Unit
1,052 ac
McCoy Island Unit
189 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
West Unit Open 2,684 —
McCoy Island Unit Special regs 189 —
Riverside Unit Special regs 1,052 —

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 Missouri hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Missouri Department of Conservation
  • 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 Clarence Cannon NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is permitted by boat in Bryants Creek. Fishing from the bank is prohibited. Access is by boat from Mississippi River. Available species include largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, bullhead, bluegill and carp.

— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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

How to get to Clarence Cannon NWR

Navigate

Destination: Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
39.26806, -90.78575
DMS
39°16′05.0″N 90°47′08.7″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • St. Louis, MO54 mi NW of town
  • Quincy, IL57 mi SE of town
  • Springfield, IL71 mi SW of town
  • Havana, IL81 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • STL St. Louis Lambert42 mi
  • PIA Peoria Intl112 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 Clarence Cannon 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, 20266:00 AM6:30 AM7:36 PM13h 05m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM7:13 PM12h 31m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM6:47 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM6:25 PM11h 15m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:59 AM6:29 AM5:03 PM10h 34m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM4:49 PM10h 04m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM4:41 PM9h 38m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM4:41 PM9h 26m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:52 AM7:22 AM4:49 PM9h 27m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM5:02 PM9h 41m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM5:21 PM10h 11m

Computed for 39.268, -90.786 (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.

Clarence Cannon NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Clarence Cannon NWR?

Yes. Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (3,924 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 Clarence Cannon NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Clarence Cannon 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 Clarence Cannon NWR?

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

Where is Clarence Cannon NWR located?

Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge is in Pike County, Missouri, about 54 miles NW of St. Louis, MO (straight-line). GPS: 39.26806, -90.78575.

What are legal shooting hours at Clarence Cannon 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

Two Rivers NWR

Calhoun County, IL · 25 mi SE

8 special
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Meredosia NWR

Morgan County, IL · 43 mi N

2 closed
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Great River NWR

Adams County, IL · 65 mi NW

5 special
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11.3K huntable acres

Emiquon NWR

Fulton County, IL · 82 mi NE

1 special1 closed
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894 huntable acres

Chautauqua NWR

Mason County, IL · 87 mi NE

1 special1 closed
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810 huntable acres

Big Muddy NFWR

Cooper County, MO · 96 mi W

1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

21.9K huntable acres

All refuges in Missouri →

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