National Wildlife Refuge · Michigan · FWS Region 3

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Monroe County, Michigan, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 2,865 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 6 mapped hunt units: 5 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 1,676 huntable acres.

5 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
6hunt units
1.7Khuntable acres
2.9KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge 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 River International Wildlife Refuge

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. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

The refuge is open to migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

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 Michigan regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (6)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 1,676 (58%)Closed: 1,189 (42%)1.7Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations1,676 ac 58%
  • Closed1,189 ac 42%
Units by size (acres)
Closed
1,189 ac
Watermark
924 ac
Open
228 ac
Open - Archery Deer
221 ac
Humbug - Special Permit
211 ac
Brancheau - Special Permit
92 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Brancheau - Special Permit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 92 Required
Other		 Humbug Marsh, Archery Only, Lottery Deer Hunt
Humbug - Special Permit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 211 Required
Other		 Humbug Marsh, Archery Only, Lottery Deer Hunt
Open
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 228 Required
Other		 Humbug Marsh, Archery Only, Lottery Deer Hunt
Open - Archery Deer
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 221 Required
Other		 Humbug Marsh, Archery Only, Lottery Deer Hunt
Watermark
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 924 Required
Other		 Humbug Marsh, Archery Only, Lottery Deer Hunt
Closed
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 1,189 Required
Other		 Humbug Marsh, Archery Only, Lottery Deer Hunt

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge by the numbers

With about 1,676 huntable acres, Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge ranks #4 of 8 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Michigan and #337 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 58% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Watermark (924 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Brancheau - Special Permit, covers 92 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 1,189 acres is closed to hunting (Closed). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 2,865 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 3.9 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Michigan 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 — Big Game, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds, Small Game, Feral & Exotic
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐦 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

Humbug Marsh, Archery Only, Lottery Deer Hunt

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Michigan hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Michigan 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 River International Wildlife Refuge

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is available at 378 units (343 national wildlife refuges and 35 wetland management districts) of the National Wildlife Refuge System, almost 20 national fish hatcheries and other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters.

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

How to get to Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Navigate

Destination: Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.98217, -83.24958
DMS
41°58′55.8″N 83°14′58.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Detroit, MI26 mi SW of town
  • Toledo, OH27 mi NE of town
  • Sandusky, OH46 mi NW of town
  • Lansing, MI85 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • DTW Detroit Metro17 mi
  • CLE Cleveland Hopkins82 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 River International Wildlife Refuge

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM8:09 PM13h 12m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM7:44 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM7:16 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:13 AM7:43 AM6:53 PM11h 09m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM5:28 PM10h 24m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:52 AM7:22 AM5:13 PM9h 51m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:11 AM7:41 AM5:03 PM9h 23m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:23 AM7:53 AM5:02 PM9h 09m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:30 AM8:00 AM5:11 PM9h 10m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:28 AM7:58 AM5:24 PM9h 26m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:16 AM7:46 AM5:45 PM9h 59m

Computed for 41.982, -83.250 (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.

Guides for hunting Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

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…

Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety

How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, 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…

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge?

Yes. Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 5 units (1,676 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 River International Wildlife Refuge?

Yes — Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge?

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

Where is Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge located?

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is in Monroe County, Michigan, about 26 miles SW of Detroit, MI (straight-line). GPS: 41.98217, -83.24958.

What are legal shooting hours at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge?

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

West Sister Island NWR

OH · 18 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Cedar Point NWR

Lucas County, OH · 21 mi S

3 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

2.6K huntable acres

Ottawa NWR

Ottawa County, OH · 25 mi S

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

7K huntable acres

Michigan WMD

Ingham County, MI · 84 mi NW

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

659 huntable acres

Shiawassee NWR

Saginaw County, MI · 102 mi N

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9.9K huntable acres

Erie NWR

Crawford County, PA · 170 mi E

2 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9K huntable acres

All refuges in Michigan →

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