National Wildlife Refuge · South Dakota · FWS Region 6

Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge is located in Charles Mix County, South Dakota. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules and 3 closed, covering about 2,184 huntable acres.

1 open unit3 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
2.2Khuntable acres
0boundary acres
6game categories

Lake Andes 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 Lake Andes NWR

Hunting opportunities include 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.

Dikes separate Lake Andes into three separate units, but a lack of a permanent water supply limits the lake's optimal habitat for waterfowl.

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 South Dakota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (4)

Acreage by status
Open: 2,184 (42%)Closed: 3,060 (58%)2.2Khuntable acres
  • Open2,184 ac 42%
  • Closed3,060 ac 58%
Units by size (acres)
Center
2,184 ac
South
1,837 ac
Owens Bay
831 ac
North
392 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Center
Show on map · Directions		 Open 2,184 —
North
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 392 —
Owens Bay
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 831 —
South
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 1,837 —

Lake Andes NWR by the numbers

With about 2,184 huntable acres, Lake Andes NWR ranks #9 of 11 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in South Dakota and #322 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 42% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Center (2,184 acres).

3 units totaling 3,060 acres are closed to hunting (North, Owens Bay, and South). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

6 Waterfowl Production Areas lie within 35 miles; the closest is North Unit WPA (23 acres, 1 miles N).

When to hunt Lake Andes NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. South Dakota sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

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 Lake Andes NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Available species include yellow perch and northern pike. The fishery is cyclical -- when water quality is poor, fishing opportunities may be limited to carp and bullhead, but when water quality is excellent, the fishery can support largemouth bass.

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

How to get to Lake Andes NWR

Navigate

Destination: Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
43.19806, -98.42279
DMS
43°11′53.0″N 98°25′22.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Lake Andes, SD6.5 mi NE of town
  • Mitchell, SD40 mi SW of town
  • Huron, SD81 mi S of town
  • Madison, SD86 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • FSD Sioux Falls Regional89 mi
  • SUX Sioux Gateway117 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 Lake Andes NWR

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, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM8:11 PM13h 14m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM7:46 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM7:17 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:15 AM7:45 AM6:52 PM11h 07m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM5:27 PM10h 20m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:55 AM7:25 AM5:11 PM9h 45m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:15 AM7:45 AM5:00 PM9h 15m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:28 AM7:58 AM4:59 PM9h 01m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:35 AM8:05 AM5:07 PM9h 02m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:32 AM8:02 AM5:21 PM9h 19m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:20 AM7:50 AM5:43 PM9h 54m

Computed for 43.198, -98.423 (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.

Guides for hunting Lake Andes NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety

How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, and…

Pheasant and Upland Bird Hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas

Why WPAs are some of the best walk-in pheasant ground in the Midwest, how to hunt them early and late in the season…

Lake Andes NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Lake Andes NWR?

Yes. Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (2,184 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 Lake Andes NWR?

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

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

Where is Lake Andes NWR located?

Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge is in Charles Mix County, South Dakota, about 6 miles NE of Lake Andes, SD (straight-line). GPS: 43.19806, -98.42279.

What are legal shooting hours at Lake Andes 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

Lake Andes WMD

Charles Mix County, SD · 2.5 mi SW

1 open1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

15.1K huntable acres

Karl E. Mundt NWR

Gregory County, SD · 13 mi SW

1 special2 closed
🦌

697 huntable acres

Huron WMD

Beadle County, SD · 81 mi N

1 open1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

17.5K huntable acres

Madison WMD

Lake County, SD · 86 mi NE

1 open1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

44K huntable acres

John W. and Louise Seier NWR

Rock County, NE · 92 mi SW

1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

2.4K huntable acres

Fort Niobrara NWR

Cherry County, NE · 104 mi W

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

5.1K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in South Dakota →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.