National Wildlife Refuge · North Dakota · FWS Region 6

Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies in Burleigh County, North Dakota, with about 1,460 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 1,560 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official website ↗
2hunt units
1.6Khuntable acres
1.5KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Florence Lake 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 Florence Lake NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, wild turkey, upland birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

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

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 1,560 (83%)Closed: 330 (17%)1.6Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations1,560 ac 83%
  • Closed330 ac 17%
Units by size (acres)
Hunt Unit
1,560 ac
Closed
330 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Hunt Unit Special regs 1,560 —
Closed Closed 330 —

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 North Dakota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — North Dakota Game and Fish Department
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Florence Lake NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Florence Lake NWR.

How to get to Florence Lake NWR

Navigate

Destination: Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
47.29845, -100.31911
DMS
47°17′54.4″N 100°19′08.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Bismarck, ND40 mi NE of town
  • Carrington, ND57 mi W of town
  • Garrison, ND57 mi SE of town
  • Rugby, ND76 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • BIS Bismarck Municipal42 mi
  • MOT Minot 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 Florence Lake 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, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM8:24 PM13h 25m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM7:56 PM12h 39m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:08 AM7:38 AM7:23 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:27 AM7:57 AM6:55 PM10h 58m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:53 AM7:23 AM5:26 PM10h 03m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:14 AM7:44 AM5:07 PM9h 23m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:36 AM8:06 AM4:54 PM8h 47m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:51 AM8:21 AM4:51 PM8h 30m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:58 AM8:28 AM5:00 PM8h 32m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:53 AM8:23 AM5:15 PM8h 52m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:38 AM8:08 AM5:40 PM9h 33m

Computed for 47.298, -100.319 (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.

Florence Lake NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Florence Lake NWR?

Yes. Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (1,560 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, wild turkey, upland birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Florence Lake NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Florence Lake NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is Florence Lake NWR located?

Florence Lake National Wildlife Refuge is in Burleigh County, North Dakota, about 40 miles NE of Bismarck, ND (straight-line). GPS: 47.29845, -100.31911.

What are legal shooting hours at Florence Lake 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

Lake Nettie NWR

McLean County, ND · 38 mi NW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇

2.1K huntable acres

Long Lake NWR

Kidder County, ND · 41 mi S

2 special
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

23.2K huntable acres

Slade NWR

Kidder County, ND · 43 mi SE

1 special
🦌🦃🐦🐇

3K huntable acres

Long Lake WMD

Burleigh County, ND · 44 mi S

1 open1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

23.7K huntable acres

Audubon NWR

McLean County, ND · 44 mi NW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

3.2K huntable acres

Chase Lake NWR

Stutsman County, ND · 46 mi SE

1 special
🦌

4.4K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in North Dakota →

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