Wetland Management District · Minnesota · FWS Region 3

Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District lies in Becker County, Minnesota, with about 50,761 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 50,199 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
50.2Khuntable acres
50.8KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Detroit Lakes 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 Detroit Lakes WMD

Hunting opportunities include 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.

Both the grasslands and prairie potholes of northwest Minnesota were largely eliminated when the land was converted to agriculture, but Detroit Lakes WMD preserves important habitat in this area for waterfowl and other wildlife.

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 (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 50,199 (99%)Closed: 387 (1%)50.2Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations50,199 ac 99%
  • Closed387 ac 1%
Units by size (acres)
WPA Open
50,199 ac
WPA Closed
387 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
WPA Open Special regs 50,199 —
WPA Closed Closed 387 —

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 Detroit Lakes 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 Detroit Lakes WMD

Navigate

Destination: Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
46.84902, -95.84580
DMS
46°50′56.5″N 95°50′44.9″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Detroit Lakes, MN2.0 mi N of town
  • Fergus Falls, MN41 mi N of town
  • Moorhead, MN44 mi E of town
  • Fargo, ND45 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • FAR Fargo Hector Intl46 mi
  • GFK Grand Forks Intl98 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 Detroit Lakes 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, 20266:11 AM6:41 AM8:05 PM13h 24m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM7:37 PM12h 38m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:50 AM7:20 AM7:05 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:09 AM7:39 AM6:38 PM10h 59m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM5:09 PM10h 05m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:55 AM7:25 AM4:51 PM9h 26m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:17 AM7:47 AM4:38 PM8h 51m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:31 AM8:01 AM4:35 PM8h 34m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:38 AM8:08 AM4:44 PM8h 36m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:34 AM8:04 AM4:59 PM8h 55m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:18 AM7:48 AM5:24 PM9h 35m

Computed for 46.849, -95.846 (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.

Detroit Lakes WMD FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Detroit Lakes WMD?

Yes. Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District offers hunting in 1 unit (50,199 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 Detroit Lakes WMD?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Detroit Lakes 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 Detroit Lakes WMD?

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

Where is Detroit Lakes WMD located?

Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District is in Becker County, Minnesota, about 2 miles N of Detroit Lakes, MN (straight-line). GPS: 46.84902, -95.84580.

What are legal shooting hours at Detroit Lakes 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

Hamden Slough NWR

Becker County, MN · 11 mi NW

3 special
🦌🦆

3.4K huntable acres

Tamarac NWR

Becker County, MN · 14 mi NE

6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

42K huntable acres

Fergus Falls WMD

Otter Tail County, MN · 43 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

49.4K huntable acres

Rydell NWR

Polk County, MN · 57 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

1.8K huntable acres

Glacial Ridge NWR

Polk County, MN · 63 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

17.4K huntable acres

Morris WMD

Stevens County, MN · 85 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

56.6K 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.