Wetland Management District · North Dakota · FWS Region 6

J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District lies in McHenry County, North Dakota, with about 27,378 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 34,021 huntable acres.

1 open unit
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
34Khuntable acres
27.4KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

J. Clark Salyer 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 J. Clark Salyer 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.

With 127 waterfowl production areas (WPAs) offering 27,000 acres of public hunting, J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District offers a diversity of opportunities in a five-county area of north-central North Dakota.

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 North Dakota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Open: 34,021 (100%)34Khuntable acres
  • Open34,021 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
WPA Open Open 34,021 —

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 North Dakota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — North Dakota 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 J. Clark Salyer WMD

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is permitted in waterfowl production areas in accordance with North Dakota state seasons.

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

How to get to J. Clark Salyer WMD

Navigate

Destination: J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
48.61739, -100.72855
DMS
48°37′02.6″N 100°43′42.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Bottineau, ND19 mi SW of town
  • Minot, ND37 mi NE of town
  • Rugby, ND38 mi NW of town
  • Kenmare, ND62 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • MOT Minot Intl35 mi
  • BIS Bismarck Municipal128 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 J. Clark Salyer 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, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM8:27 PM13h 29m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM7:58 PM12h 41m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:10 AM7:40 AM7:24 PM11h 44m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:31 AM8:01 AM6:55 PM10h 55m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:57 AM7:27 AM5:25 PM9h 57m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:20 AM7:50 AM5:05 PM9h 15m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:43 AM8:13 AM4:50 PM8h 37m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:58 AM8:28 AM4:47 PM8h 19m
Fri, Jan 1, 20278:05 AM8:35 AM4:56 PM8h 21m
Fri, Jan 15, 20278:00 AM8:30 AM5:12 PM8h 42m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:43 AM8:13 AM5:38 PM9h 25m

Computed for 48.617, -100.729 (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.

J. Clark Salyer WMD FAQ

Is hunting allowed at J. Clark Salyer WMD?

Yes. J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District offers hunting in 1 unit (34,021 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 J. Clark Salyer WMD?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for J. Clark Salyer 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 J. Clark Salyer WMD?

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

Where is J. Clark Salyer WMD located?

J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District is in McHenry County, North Dakota, about 19 miles SW of Bottineau, ND (straight-line). GPS: 48.61739, -100.72855.

What are legal shooting hours at J. Clark Salyer 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

J. Clark Salyer NWR

McHenry County, ND · 2.7 mi SE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🐇🎣

58.9K huntable acres

Upper Souris NWR

Renville County, ND · 40 mi W

3 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

32K huntable acres

Des Lacs NWR

Burke County, ND · 70 mi W

3 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇

14K huntable acres

Shell Lake NWR

Mountrail County, ND · 70 mi SW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Lake Nettie NWR

McLean County, ND · 71 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇

2.1K huntable acres

Audubon NWR

McLean County, ND · 74 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

3.2K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in North Dakota →

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