National Wildlife Refuge · Arizona · FWS Region 2

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is located in Mohave County, Arizona, with about 37,042 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its lands extend into California. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 11 mapped hunt units: 9 open with special regulations and 2 closed, covering about 38,730 huntable acres.

9 with special regs2 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
11hunt units
38.7Khuntable acres
37KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Havasu 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 Havasu NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, 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.

From ducks and geese in wetlands to desert bighorn on canyon rims, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is known for its variety of hunting opportunities.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland 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 Arizona regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (11)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 38,730 (99%)Closed: 242 (1%)38.7Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations38,730 ac 99%
  • Closed242 ac 1%
Units by size (acres)
Havasu Wilderness - AZ
13,395 ac
Topock Marsh East - AZ
7,240 ac
Topock Marsh West
6,065 ac
Topock Gorge - AZ
3,134 ac
Topock Gorge - CA
2,957 ac
Lake Havasu - AZ
2,466 ac
Havasu Wilderness - CA
1,626 ac
Lake Havasu - CA
1,404 ac
Pintail Slough
443 ac
Mesquite Bay
232 ac
Headquarters
9.9 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Havasu Wilderness - AZ
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 13,395 Required
Other		 Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough
Havasu Wilderness - CA
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,626 Required
Other		 Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough
Lake Havasu - AZ
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,466 Required
Other		 Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough
Lake Havasu - CA
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,404 Required
Other		 Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough
Pintail Slough
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 443 Required
Other		 Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough
Topock Gorge - AZ
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 3,134 Required
Other		 Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough
Topock Gorge - CA
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 2,957 Required
Other		 Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough
Topock Marsh East - AZ
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 7,240 Required
Other		 Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough
Topock Marsh West
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 6,065 Required
Other		 Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough
Headquarters
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 9.9 Required
Other		 Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough
Mesquite Bay
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 232 Required
Other		 Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough

Havasu NWR by the numbers

With about 38,730 huntable acres, Havasu NWR ranks #4 of 9 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Arizona and #72 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 99% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Havasu Wilderness - AZ (13,395 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Pintail Slough, covers 443 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

2 units totaling 242 acres are closed to hunting (Headquarters and Mesquite Bay). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 37,042 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 0.2 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Havasu NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Arizona 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, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds, Small Game, Feral & Exotic
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🐦 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

Waterfowl hunting, all hunting on Pintail slough

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Arizona hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Arizona Game and Fish Department
  • 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 Havasu NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

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

How to get to Havasu NWR

Navigate

Destination: Havasu National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
34.63378, -114.42272
DMS
34°38′01.6″N 114°25′21.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Lake Havasu City, AZ12 mi NW of town
  • Needles, CA18 mi SE of town
  • Parker, AZ34 mi N of town
  • Bullhead City, AZ37 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • LAS Las Vegas Harry Reid108 mi
  • PSP Palm Springs Intl132 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 Havasu NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:40 AM6:10 AM7:06 PM12h 56m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:49 AM6:19 AM6:46 PM12h 27m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM6:23 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM6:04 PM11h 22m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM5:45 PM10h 48m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM5:34 PM10h 23m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM5:27 PM10h 01m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:07 AM7:37 AM5:28 PM9h 51m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:14 AM7:44 AM5:36 PM9h 52m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:14 AM7:44 AM5:48 PM10h 04m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:06 AM7:36 AM6:05 PM10h 29m

Computed for 34.634, -114.423 (MST / 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 Havasu NWR

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…

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…

Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules

How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…

Havasu NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Havasu NWR?

Yes. Havasu National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 9 units (38,730 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, 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 Havasu NWR?

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

Can you fish at Havasu NWR?

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

Where is Havasu NWR located?

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is in Mohave County, Arizona, about 12 miles NW of Lake Havasu City, AZ (straight-line). GPS: 34.63378, -114.42272.

What are legal shooting hours at Havasu 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

Bill Williams River NWR

La Paz County, AZ · 34 mi SE

2 special1 closed
🦌🐦🕊️🐇🎣

2.9K huntable acres

Cibola NWR

La Paz County, AZ · 93 mi S

5 special4 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

12.2K huntable acres

Kofa NWR

Yuma County, AZ · 98 mi S

3 special1 closed
🦌🐦🐇

663K huntable acres

Imperial NWR

La Paz County, AZ · 110 mi S

2 special2 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

22.4K huntable acres

Coachella Valley NWR

Riverside County, CA · 123 mi SW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR

Imperial County, CA · 123 mi SW

2 special3 closed
🦆🎣

827 huntable acres

All refuges in Arizona →

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