National Wildlife Refuge · Alaska · FWS Region 7

Innoko National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, Innoko National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 4,049,872 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open under general rules, covering about 4,049,856 huntable acres.

1 open unit
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
4Mhuntable acres
4MFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Innoko 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 Innoko NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing.

Big-game hunters travel from all over the world to pursue the large moose found on Innoko National Wildlife Refuge. Hunters regularly take moose with antler spread of 60 to 70 inches.

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 mammals

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

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Open: 4,049,856 (100%)4Mhuntable acres
  • Open4,049,856 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Refuge Open 4,049,856 —

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 Alaska hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Alaska 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 Innoko NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Access to Innoko National Wildlife Refuge from McGrath, Alaska, is by charter aircraft only because there are no roads to or within the refuge. The refuge features numerous rivers, sloughs, ponds and lakes.

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

How to get to Innoko NWR

Navigate

Destination: Innoko National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
62.94176, -158.95192
DMS
62°56′30.3″N 158°57′06.9″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • McGrath, AK105 mi W of town
  • Galena, AK139 mi SW of town
  • Bethel, AK175 mi NE of town
  • Nome, AK225 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • BET Bethel Airport177 mi
  • OME Nome Airport226 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 Innoko NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM9:52 PM14h 33m
Tue, Sep 15, 20267:27 AM7:57 AM9:04 PM13h 07m
Thu, Oct 1, 20268:10 AM8:40 AM8:10 PM11h 30m
Thu, Oct 15, 20268:49 AM9:19 AM7:23 PM10h 04m
Sun, Nov 1, 20268:39 AM9:09 AM5:29 PM8h 20m
Sun, Nov 15, 20269:22 AM9:52 AM4:49 PM6h 57m
Tue, Dec 1, 202610:07 AM10:37 AM4:12 PM5h 35m
Tue, Dec 15, 202610:35 AM11:05 AM3:56 PM4h 51m
Fri, Jan 1, 202710:40 AM11:10 AM4:06 PM4h 56m
Fri, Jan 15, 202710:21 AM10:51 AM4:37 PM5h 46m
Mon, Feb 1, 20279:40 AM10:10 AM5:27 PM7h 18m

Computed for 62.942, -158.952 (AKDT / 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.

Innoko NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Innoko NWR?

Yes. Innoko National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (4,049,856 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 Innoko NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Innoko NWR. 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 Innoko NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Innoko NWR located?

Innoko National Wildlife Refuge is in Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, Alaska, about 105 miles W of McGrath, AK (straight-line). GPS: 62.94176, -158.95192.

What are legal shooting hours at Innoko 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

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All refuges in Alaska →

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