National Fish Hatchery · Wisconsin · FWS Region 3

Iron River National Fish Hatchery Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Iron River National Fish Hatchery is located in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, with about 1,142 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 1,087 huntable acres.

1 open unit1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
1.1Khuntable acres
1.1KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Iron River NFH 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 Iron River NFH

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules.

Iron River National Fish Hatchery is open for hunting in accordance with Wisconsin hunting regulations. All land is open to hunting except for the areas surrounding hatchery buildings, residences, play areas, roadways and parking lots.

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 Wisconsin regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Open: 1,087 (95%)Closed: 55 (5%)1.1Khuntable acres
  • Open1,087 ac 95%
  • Closed55 ac 5%
Units by size (acres)
Open
1,087 ac
Closed
55 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Open Open 1,087 —
Closed Closed 55 —

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 Wisconsin hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • 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 Iron River NFH

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Iron River NFH.

How to get to Iron River NFH

Navigate

Destination: Iron River National Fish Hatchery (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
46.65206, -91.34730
DMS
46°39′07.4″N 91°20′50.3″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Ashland, WI23 mi W of town
  • Superior, WI36 mi E of town
  • Duluth, MN37 mi E of town
  • Rice Lake, WI81 mi N of town

Closest airports

  • DLH Duluth Intl42 mi
  • MSP Minneapolis–St. Paul152 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 Iron River NFH

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, 20265:54 AM6:24 AM7:47 PM13h 23m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:11 AM6:41 AM7:19 PM12h 38m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM6:47 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM6:20 PM10h 60m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM4:52 PM10h 06m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM4:33 PM9h 27m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM4:20 PM8h 52m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:12 AM7:42 AM4:18 PM8h 36m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:19 AM7:49 AM4:26 PM8h 37m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:15 AM7:45 AM4:42 PM8h 56m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:00 AM7:30 AM5:06 PM9h 36m

Computed for 46.652, -91.347 (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.

Iron River NFH FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Iron River NFH?

Yes. Iron River National Fish Hatchery offers hunting in 1 unit (1,087 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 Iron River NFH?

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

Where is Iron River NFH located?

Iron River National Fish Hatchery is in Bayfield County, Wisconsin, about 23 miles W of Ashland, WI (straight-line). GPS: 46.65206, -91.34730.

What are legal shooting hours at Iron River NFH?

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

Whittlesey Creek NWR

Bayfield County, WI · 19 mi E

1 open2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🎣

243 huntable acres

Rice Lake NWR

Aitkin County, MN · 96 mi W

1 special2 closed
🦌🐦🕊️🐇🎣

10.4K huntable acres

Mille Lacs NWR

Mille Lacs County, MN · 109 mi W

1 closed
No hunting listed

St. Croix WMD

St. Croix County, WI · 122 mi SW

1 open1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

8.9K huntable acres

Sherburne NWR

Sherburne County, MN · 139 mi SW

3 special3 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

28K huntable acres

Crane Meadows NWR

Morrison County, MN · 147 mi W

1 open2 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

2.2K huntable acres

All refuges in Wisconsin →

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