National Wildlife Refuge · South Dakota · FWS Region 6

Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge is located in Bennett County, South Dakota, with about 16,572 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 8 mapped hunt units: 7 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 11,419 huntable acres.

7 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
8hunt units
11.4Khuntable acres
16.6KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Lacreek 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 Lacreek 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.

Diversity is the name of the game at Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge. Hunters can pursue up to 18 species on more than 11,000 acres of diverse habitat types.

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 South Dakota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (8)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 11,419 (69%)Closed: 5,152 (31%)11.4Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations11,419 ac 69%
  • Closed5,152 ac 31%
Units by size (acres)
Closed
5,152 ac
Pool 9
3,725 ac
Brown Ranch
2,613 ac
Pool 10
2,154 ac
South Sandhills
1,471 ac
West Sandhills
1,075 ac
Little White River Rec Area
222 ac
Marty Quarter
159 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Brown Ranch Special regs 2,613 —
Little White River Rec Area Special regs 222 —
Marty Quarter Special regs 159 —
Pool 9 Special regs 3,725 —
Pool 10 Special regs 2,154 —
South Sandhills Special regs 1,471 —
West Sandhills Special regs 1,075 —
Closed Closed 5,152 —

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 Lacreek NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

The fishing season is open year-round, with ice fishing in winter, throughout all refuge lakes. Available species include rainbow trout, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, northern pike and sauger.

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

How to get to Lacreek NWR

Navigate

Destination: Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
43.09731, -101.58622
DMS
43°05′50.3″N 101°35′10.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Martin, SD8.8 mi SE of town
  • Valentine, NE55 mi W of town
  • Alliance, NE95 mi NE of town
  • Rapid City, SD107 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • RAP Rapid City Regional99 mi
  • PIR Pierre Regional110 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 Lacreek NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:39 AM6:09 AM7:23 PM13h 14m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:54 AM6:24 AM6:58 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM6:29 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM6:05 PM11h 07m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:49 AM6:19 AM4:40 PM10h 20m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM4:24 PM9h 46m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM4:13 PM9h 16m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM4:12 PM9h 01m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM4:20 PM9h 03m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:45 AM7:15 AM4:34 PM9h 20m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:32 AM7:02 AM4:56 PM9h 54m

Computed for 43.097, -101.586 (MDT / 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.

Lacreek NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Lacreek NWR?

Yes. Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 7 units (11,419 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 Lacreek NWR?

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

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

Where is Lacreek NWR located?

Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge is in Bennett County, South Dakota, about 9 miles SE of Martin, SD (straight-line). GPS: 43.09731, -101.58622.

What are legal shooting hours at Lacreek 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

Fort Niobrara NWR

Cherry County, NE · 60 mi E

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

5.1K huntable acres

Valentine NWR

Cherry County, NE · 68 mi SE

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

70.9K huntable acres

Crescent Lake NWR

Garden County, NE · 103 mi S

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

41.9K huntable acres

John W. and Louise Seier NWR

Rock County, NE · 118 mi SE

1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

2.4K huntable acres

North Platte NWR

Scotts Bluff County, NE · 128 mi SW

2 special2 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

1.5K huntable acres

Bear Butte NWR

Meade County, SD · 132 mi NW

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

402 huntable acres

All refuges in South Dakota →

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