Wetland Management District · South Dakota · FWS Region 6

Huron Wetland Management District Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Huron Wetland Management District is located in Beadle County, South Dakota, with about 17,713 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 under general rules and 1 closed, covering about 17,522 huntable acres.

1 open unit1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
17.5Khuntable acres
17.7KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Huron 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 Huron WMD

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

The waterfowl production areas (WPAs) of Huron Wetland Management District attract more than 100,000 visitors a year, making this the most visited wetland management district in the nation.

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 mammals

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

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Open: 17,522 (99%)Closed: 204 (1%)17.5Khuntable acres
  • Open17,522 ac 99%
  • Closed204 ac 1%
Units by size (acres)
WPA Open
17,522 ac
Facility Proximity Closure
204 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
WPA Open Open 17,522 —
Facility Proximity Closure Closed 204 —

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 South Dakota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
  • 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 Huron WMD

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

The fishing opportunities in the Huron Wetland Management are marginal but are offered in accordance with South Dakota state seasons. Species found include northern pike, walleye, crappie and perch.

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

How to get to Huron WMD

Navigate

Destination: Huron Wetland Management District (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
44.36153, -98.21794
DMS
44°21′41.5″N 98°13′04.6″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Huron, SD0.4 mi W of town
  • Mitchell, SD46 mi N of town
  • Madison, SD60 mi NW of town
  • Watertown, SD66 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • ABR Aberdeen Regional76 mi
  • FSD Sioux Falls Regional91 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 Huron 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, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM8:11 PM13h 17m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM7:46 PM12h 36m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM7:15 PM11h 47m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:16 AM7:46 AM6:50 PM11h 05m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM5:24 PM10h 15m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM5:07 PM9h 39m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:18 AM7:48 AM4:56 PM9h 08m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:31 AM8:01 AM4:54 PM8h 53m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:38 AM8:08 AM5:02 PM8h 54m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:35 AM8:05 AM5:17 PM9h 12m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:22 AM7:52 AM5:40 PM9h 48m

Computed for 44.362, -98.218 (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.

Huron WMD FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Huron WMD?

Yes. Huron Wetland Management District offers hunting in 1 unit (17,522 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, 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 Huron WMD?

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

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

Where is Huron WMD located?

Huron Wetland Management District is in Beadle County, South Dakota, about 0 miles W of Huron, SD (straight-line). GPS: 44.36153, -98.21794.

What are legal shooting hours at Huron 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

Madison WMD

Lake County, SD · 63 mi SE

1 open1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

44K huntable acres

Lake Andes NWR

Charles Mix County, SD · 81 mi S

1 open3 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

2.2K huntable acres

Lake Andes WMD

Charles Mix County, SD · 83 mi S

1 open1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

15.1K huntable acres

Waubay NWR

Day County, SD · 85 mi NE

1 open1 closed
🦌🎣

4.6K huntable acres

Waubay WMD

Day County, SD · 85 mi NE

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

41.1K huntable acres

Karl E. Mundt NWR

Gregory County, SD · 93 mi S

1 special2 closed
🦌

697 huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in South Dakota →

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