National Wildlife Refuge · Idaho · FWS Region 1

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

Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in Bonneville County, Idaho, with about 7,052 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 4,911 huntable acres.

2 with special regs1 closed
3hunt units
4.9Khuntable acres
7.1KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Grays 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

Hunting at Grays Lake NWR

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

Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge is not a lake. It is the largest hardstem bulrush marsh in North America. The refuge is known for its large nesting population of sandhill cranes, Franklin’s gulls, and trumpeter swans.

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

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 4,911 (67%)Closed: 2,375 (33%)4.9Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations4,911 ac 67%
  • Closed2,375 ac 33%
Units by size (acres)
2,609 ac
Closed to Hunting
2,375 ac
2,302 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Lake Unit Special regs 2,609 —
Upland Unit Special regs 2,302 —
Closed to Hunting Closed 2,375 —

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 Idaho hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Idaho Department of Fish and Game
  • 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 Grays Lake NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Grays Lake NWR.

How to get to Grays Lake NWR

Navigate

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

Decimal
43.05319, -111.42786
DMS
43°03′11.5″N 111°25′40.3″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Soda Springs, ID29 mi N of town
  • Idaho Falls, ID43 mi SE of town
  • Jackson, WY45 mi SW of town
  • Pocatello, ID53 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • IDA Idaho Falls Regional45 mi
  • JAC Jackson Hole52 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 Grays Lake NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM8:03 PM13h 14m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM7:38 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM7:09 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:07 AM7:37 AM6:44 PM11h 07m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM5:19 PM10h 20m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM5:03 PM9h 46m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:07 AM7:37 AM4:53 PM9h 16m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:19 AM7:49 AM4:51 PM9h 02m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:26 AM7:56 AM5:00 PM9h 03m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:24 AM7:54 AM5:14 PM9h 20m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:11 AM7:41 AM5:36 PM9h 54m

Computed for 43.053, -111.428 (MDT / 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.

Grays Lake NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Grays Lake NWR?

Yes. Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (4,911 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Grays Lake NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Grays 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 Grays Lake NWR located?

Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge is in Bonneville County, Idaho, about 29 miles N of Soda Springs, ID (straight-line). GPS: 43.05319, -111.42786.

What are legal shooting hours at Grays 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

Jackson NFH

Teton County, WY · 48 mi NE

1 closed
🎣

National Elk Refuge

Teton County, WY · 51 mi NE

7 special1 closed
🦌🎣

22.5K huntable acres

Bear Lake NWR

Bear Lake County, ID · 62 mi S

3 open1 special10 closed
🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

7.3K huntable acres

Oxford Slough WPA

Franklin County, ID · 62 mi SW

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

1.9K huntable acres

Camas NWR

Jefferson County, ID · 74 mi NW

3 open1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️

8.1K huntable acres

Cokeville Meadows NWR

Lincoln County, WY · 78 mi S

3 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

6K huntable acres

All refuges in Idaho →

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