National Wildlife Refuge · Alaska · FWS Region 7

Izembek National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, Izembek National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 315,329 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 315,329 huntable acres.

1 open unit
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
315Khuntable acres
315KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Izembek 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 Izembek NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing.

Izembek National Wildlife Refuge is world famous for its brown bear hunting, but it also offers some of the best hunting for much smaller game: waterfowl and ptarmigan. The refuge provides habitat for an incredible variety of duck and goose species.

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: 315,329 (100%)315Khuntable acres
  • Open315,329 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Refuge Open 315,329 —

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 Izembek NWR

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

Access is by commercial or charter aircraft, or by state ferry, April-October. There are no roads to Cold Bay, Alaska. From Cold Bay, local access to a small portion of the refuge is possible via a local network of established roads.

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

How to get to Izembek NWR

Navigate

Destination: Izembek National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
55.37773, -162.44662
DMS
55°22′39.8″N 162°26′47.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Cold Bay, AK16 mi NE of town
  • Unalaska, AK194 mi NE of town
  • Dillingham, AK294 mi SW of town
  • King Salmon, AK316 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • CDB Cold Bay Airport16 mi
  • DLG Dillingham Airport293 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 Izembek 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, 20267:23 AM7:53 AM9:46 PM13h 53m
Tue, Sep 15, 20267:49 AM8:19 AM9:10 PM12h 51m
Thu, Oct 1, 20268:20 AM8:50 AM8:28 PM11h 39m
Thu, Oct 15, 20268:47 AM9:17 AM7:53 PM10h 35m
Sun, Nov 1, 20268:22 AM8:52 AM6:13 PM9h 21m
Sun, Nov 15, 20268:52 AM9:22 AM5:47 PM8h 25m
Tue, Dec 1, 20269:22 AM9:52 AM5:25 PM7h 34m
Tue, Dec 15, 20269:40 AM10:10 AM5:19 PM7h 09m
Fri, Jan 1, 20279:46 AM10:16 AM5:28 PM7h 11m
Fri, Jan 15, 20279:38 AM10:08 AM5:48 PM7h 40m
Mon, Feb 1, 20279:13 AM9:43 AM6:22 PM8h 39m

Computed for 55.378, -162.447 (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.

Izembek NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Izembek NWR?

Yes. Izembek National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (315,329 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 Izembek NWR?

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

Izembek National Wildlife Refuge is in Aleutians East Borough, Alaska, about 16 miles NE of Cold Bay, AK (straight-line). GPS: 55.37773, -162.44662.

What are legal shooting hours at Izembek 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

Alaska Maritime NWR

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Becharof NWR

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Togiak NWR

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Kodiak NWR

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Yukon Delta NWR

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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.