Lake Andes Wetland Management District Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Lake Andes 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.

Hunting at Lake Andes WMD

• 🦌 Big Game
• 🦆 Waterfowl
• 🦃 Wild Turkey
• 🐦 Upland Birds
• 🕊️ Migratory Birds
• 🐇 Small Game
• 🐗 Feral & Exotic
• 🎣 Fishing

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Lake Andes Wetland Management District provides important feeding, nesting and resting habitat for waterfowl in the southern portion of the Prairie Pothole Region.

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 (2)

When to hunt Lake Andes WMD

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.

Permits & licenses

Fishing at Lake Andes WMD

• 🐟 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 WMD

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

7-day hunting weather

Waterfowl Production Areas managed by Lake Andes WMD

This district manages 59 named WPAs totaling 15,284 acres of walk-in public land. The largest are listed below; each links to its county guide with a satellite map and directions.

Showing the 25 largest of 59. All tracts are on the map above and in the KML download.

Guides for hunting Lake Andes WMD

Lake Andes WMD FAQ

Nearby refuges & public land

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

• John Eldridge WPA 150 ac · 0.6 mi NE
• Hubers WPA 266 ac · 3.4 mi NE
• North Unit WPA 23 ac · 3.5 mi NE
• Soulek WPA 88 ac · 4.3 mi NE
• Youngstrom WPA 290 ac · 4.7 mi NE
• Fousek WPA 209 ac · 8.1 mi NE

All refuges in South Dakota →