Wetland Management District · Minnesota · FWS Region 3

Fergus Falls Wetland Management District Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Fergus Falls Wetland Management District is located in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, with about 50,217 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 49,393 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
49.4Khuntable acres
50.2KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Fergus Falls 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 Fergus Falls WMD

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Fergus Falls WMD protected wetlands and prairies make up the "prairie pothole" region of Minnesota. These potholes were once found throughout the tallgrass prairies of the western part of the state, providing habitat for huge flocks of ducks and geese.

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: 49,393 (98%)Closed: 1,070 (2%)49.4Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations49,393 ac 98%
  • Closed1,070 ac 2%
Units by size (acres)
WPA Open
49,393 ac
WPA Closed
1,070 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
WPA Open Special regs 49,393 —
WPA Closed Closed 1,070 —

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 Fergus Falls 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 Fergus Falls WMD

Navigate

Destination: Fergus Falls Wetland Management District (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
46.23719, -96.04181
DMS
46°14′13.9″N 96°02′30.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Fergus Falls, MN3.5 mi SE of town
  • Wahpeton, ND27 mi E of town
  • Alexandria, MN40 mi NW of town
  • Detroit Lakes, MN41 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • FAR Fargo Hector Intl60 mi
  • ABR Aberdeen Regional127 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 Fergus Falls 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, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM8:05 PM13h 22m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM7:38 PM12h 38m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:50 AM7:20 AM7:06 PM11h 46m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:09 AM7:39 AM6:39 PM11h 00m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM5:11 PM10h 08m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:54 AM7:24 AM4:53 PM9h 29m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:15 AM7:45 AM4:40 PM8h 55m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:29 AM7:59 AM4:38 PM8h 39m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:36 AM8:06 AM4:47 PM8h 40m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:33 AM8:03 AM5:02 PM8h 59m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:18 AM7:48 AM5:26 PM9h 38m

Computed for 46.237, -96.042 (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.

Fergus Falls WMD FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Fergus Falls WMD?

Yes. Fergus Falls Wetland Management District offers hunting in 1 unit (49,393 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 Fergus Falls WMD?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Fergus Falls 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 Fergus Falls WMD?

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

Where is Fergus Falls WMD located?

Fergus Falls Wetland Management District is in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, about 3 miles SE of Fergus Falls, MN (straight-line). GPS: 46.23719, -96.04181.

What are legal shooting hours at Fergus Falls 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

Morris WMD

Stevens County, MN · 43 mi S

1 special1 closed
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56.6K huntable acres

Detroit Lakes WMD

Becker County, MN · 43 mi N

1 special1 closed
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50.2K huntable acres

Hamden Slough NWR

Becker County, MN · 51 mi N

3 special
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Tamarac NWR

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6 special1 closed
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Tewaukon WMD

Sargent County, ND · 66 mi W

1 open
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Tewaukon NWR

Sargent County, ND · 66 mi W

3 special1 closed
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6.9K 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.