National Wildlife Refuge · Virginia · FWS Region 5

Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Virginia, Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 2,049 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 752 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
752huntable acres
2KFWS-owned acres
2game categories

Fisherman Island 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 Fisherman Island NWR

Hunters can pursue waterfowl and migratory birds here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge is open to migratory game bird hunting. Hunting is by boat only during a shortened season from November 1 to February 28, following Virginia state seasons and regulations.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Virginia regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 752 (37%)Closed: 1,297 (63%)752huntable acres
  • Special regulations752 ac 37%
  • Closed1,297 ac 63%
Units by size (acres)
Closed
1,297 ac
Migratory Game Bird Only Zone
752 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Migratory Game Bird Only Zone Special regs 752 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Yes
Closed Closed 1,297 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Yes

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Yes

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Virginia hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Virginia Department of Wildlife 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 Fisherman Island NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Fisherman Island NWR.

How to get to Fisherman Island NWR

Navigate

Destination: Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
37.09305, -75.95918
DMS
37°05′35.0″N 75°57′33.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Virginia Beach, VA17 mi N of town
  • Norfolk, VA25 mi NE of town
  • Suffolk, VA42 mi NE of town
  • Elizabeth City, NC58 mi N of town

Closest airports

  • ORF Norfolk Intl19 mi
  • RIC Richmond Intl80 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 Fisherman Island NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM7:34 PM13h 01m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM7:13 PM12h 29m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM6:48 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM6:28 PM11h 18m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:57 AM6:27 AM5:07 PM10h 41m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM4:55 PM10h 13m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM4:47 PM9h 49m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM4:47 PM9h 38m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM4:56 PM9h 39m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:46 AM7:16 AM5:08 PM9h 52m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:26 PM10h 20m

Computed for 37.093, -75.959 (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.

Fisherman Island NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Fisherman Island NWR?

Yes. Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (752 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Fisherman Island NWR?

Yes — Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained mail, online through fws, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is Fisherman Island NWR located?

Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge is in Virginia, about 17 miles N of Virginia Beach, VA (straight-line). GPS: 37.09305, -75.95918.

What are legal shooting hours at Fisherman Island 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

Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR

Northampton County, VA · 2.6 mi N

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

1.1K huntable acres

Plum Tree Island NWR

Poquoson city, VA · 20 mi W

1 special1 closed
🦆

213 huntable acres

Back Bay NWR

Virginia Beach city, VA · 31 mi S

8 special1 closed
🦌🐗🎣

2.2K huntable acres

Mackay Island NWR

Currituck County, NC · 39 mi S

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐇🐗🎣

8.7K huntable acres

Great Dismal Swamp NWR

Chesapeake city, VA · 44 mi SW

11 special3 closed
🦌🦃🐇🎣

102K huntable acres

Currituck NWR

Currituck County, NC · 44 mi S

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐗

3.8K huntable acres

All refuges in Virginia →

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