National Wildlife Refuge · Mississippi · FWS Region 4

Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Quitman County, Mississippi, Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 2,514 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: 1 open under general rules, 1 open with special regulations, and 1 closed, covering about 2,306 huntable acres.

1 open unit1 with special regs1 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
2.3Khuntable acres
2.5KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Coldwater River 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 Coldwater River NWR

Hunters can pursue waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Collecting shed deer antlers is not allowed.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland 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 Mississippi regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Open: 1,978 (33%)Special regulations: 328 (5%)Closed: 3,685 (62%)2.3Khuntable acres
  • Open1,978 ac 33%
  • Special regulations328 ac 5%
  • Closed3,685 ac 62%
Units by size (acres)
Closed Area
3,685 ac
FSA Hunt Area
1,978 ac
Waterfowl Hunt Area
328 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
FSA Hunt Area
Show on map · Directions		 Open 1,978 Required
Other		 All hunters and anglers 16 years and older are required to have a North MS Refuge Complex permit.
🧒 Youth
Waterfowl Hunt Area
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 328 Required
Other		 All hunters and anglers 16 years and older are required to have a North MS Refuge Complex permit.
🧒 Youth
Closed Area
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 3,685 Required
Other		 All hunters and anglers 16 years and older are required to have a North MS Refuge Complex permit.
🧒 Youth

Coldwater River NWR by the numbers

With about 2,306 huntable acres, Coldwater River NWR ranks #13 of 13 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Mississippi and #316 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 38% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is FSA Hunt Area (1,978 acres), while the smallest, Waterfowl Hunt Area, covers 328 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 3,685 acres is closed to hunting (Closed Area). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 2,514 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 295 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Coldwater River NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Mississippi 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.

Typical season windows — Waterfowl, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds, Small Game, Feral & Exotic
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit
🐗 Feral & Exotic
Feral hog (often year-round)

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunters and anglers 16 years and older are required to have a North MS Refuge Complex permit.

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)

You'll also need

  • A valid Mississippi hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
  • 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 Coldwater River NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Fishing is permitted year-round during daylight hours in the borrow pits, with opportunities to catch crappie, bass, bluegill and catfish. Anglers must possess a valid North Mississippi Refuge Complex Hunting and Fishing permit.

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

How to get to Coldwater River NWR

Navigate

Destination: Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
34.08976, -90.14056
DMS
34°05′23.1″N 90°08′26.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Helena-West Helena, AR40 mi SE of town
  • Greenville, MS71 mi NE of town
  • Memphis, TN73 mi S of town
  • Tupelo, MS83 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • MEM Memphis Intl66 mi
  • JAN Jackson–Evers123 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 Coldwater River 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, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM7:28 PM12h 55m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM7:09 PM12h 26m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM6:46 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM6:27 PM11h 23m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:49 AM6:19 AM5:08 PM10h 50m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM4:58 PM10h 25m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM4:51 PM10h 04m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM4:52 PM9h 54m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:35 AM7:05 AM5:01 PM9h 55m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:35 AM7:05 AM5:12 PM10h 07m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:28 AM6:58 AM5:29 PM10h 31m

Computed for 34.090, -90.141 (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.

Guides for hunting Coldwater River NWR

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Pheasant and Upland Bird Hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas

Why WPAs are some of the best walk-in pheasant ground in the Midwest, how to hunt them early and late in the season…

Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules

How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…

HIP Certification Explained: The Harvest Information Program for Migratory Bird Hunters

What HIP is, who needs it, how to get certified in each state you hunt, and why your answers help set duck, goose and…

Coldwater River NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Coldwater River NWR?

Yes. Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (2,306 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl, 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 Coldwater River NWR?

Yes — Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained online (e.g. recreation.gov) or other. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Coldwater River NWR?

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

Where is Coldwater River NWR located?

Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge is in Quitman County, Mississippi, about 40 miles SE of Helena-West Helena, AR (straight-line). GPS: 34.08976, -90.14056.

What are legal shooting hours at Coldwater River 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

Tallahatchie NWR

Tallahatchie County, MS · 23 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

3.6K huntable acres

Mathews Brake NWR

Holmes County, MS · 51 mi S

2 special
🦌🦆🐇🐗🎣

2.4K huntable acres

Dahomey NWR

Bolivar County, MS · 52 mi SW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

10.3K huntable acres

Morgan Brake NWR

Holmes County, MS · 61 mi S

4 special
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🐗🎣

7.6K huntable acres

Dale Bumpers White River NWR

Monroe County, AR · 65 mi NW

13 special4 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🐗🎣

154K huntable acres

Holt Collier NWR

Washington County, MS · 70 mi SW

3 special
🦌🦆🐇🐗🎣

3K huntable acres

All refuges in Mississippi →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.