National Wildlife Refuge · Kansas · FWS Region 6

Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge is located in Linn County, Kansas, with about 7,608 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its lands extend into Missouri. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 4,958 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
5Khuntable acres
7.6KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Marais des Cygnes 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 Marais des Cygnes NWR

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.

“Marais des Cygnes” means “marsh of swans” in French, and it is presumed that this area was named after the once-common trumpeter swans. The swans are no longer common, but many natural wonders still can be found.

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 Kansas regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 4,958 (65%)Closed: 2,650 (35%)5Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations4,958 ac 65%
  • Closed2,650 ac 35%
Units by size (acres)
Open
4,958 ac
Closed Area
2,650 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Open Special regs 4,958 —
Closed Area Closed 2,650 —

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 Kansas hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Kansas Department of Wildlife 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 Marais des Cygnes NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing season is in accordance with state regulations. The primary fishing opportunities include the farm ponds and old mine pits containing bluegill, crappie and smallmouth bass, and the Marais des Cygnes River for channel catfish, flathead catfish…

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

How to get to Marais des Cygnes NWR

Navigate

Destination: Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
38.22635, -94.64307
DMS
38°13′34.9″N 94°38′35.1″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Kansas City, MO60 mi S of town
  • Topeka, KS80 mi SE of town
  • Emporia, KS84 mi E of town
  • Springfield, MO102 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • MCI Kansas City Intl74 mi
  • SGF Springfield–Branson96 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 Marais des Cygnes 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, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM7:50 PM13h 03m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM7:28 PM12h 30m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM7:03 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:55 AM7:25 AM6:42 PM11h 16m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM5:20 PM10h 37m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM5:07 PM10h 08m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM4:59 PM9h 44m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:57 AM7:27 AM4:59 PM9h 32m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:04 AM7:34 AM5:07 PM9h 33m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:03 AM7:33 AM5:20 PM9h 47m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:54 AM7:24 AM5:39 PM10h 15m

Computed for 38.226, -94.643 (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.

Marais des Cygnes NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Marais des Cygnes NWR?

Yes. Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (4,958 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 Marais des Cygnes NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Marais des Cygnes 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 Marais des Cygnes NWR?

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

Where is Marais des Cygnes NWR located?

Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge is in Linn County, Kansas, about 60 miles S of Kansas City, MO (straight-line). GPS: 38.22635, -94.64307.

What are legal shooting hours at Marais des Cygnes 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

Flint Hills NWR

Coffey County, KS · 69 mi W

2 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

11.6K huntable acres

Ozark Cavefish NWR

Lawrence County, MO · 88 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Neosho NFH

Newton County, MO · 99 mi S

1 closed
🎣

Swan Lake NWR

Chariton County, MO · 124 mi NE

7 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

11.7K huntable acres

Big Muddy NFWR

Cooper County, MO · 124 mi NE

1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

21.9K huntable acres

Loess Bluffs NWR

Holt County, MO · 133 mi N

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🎣

7.4K huntable acres

All refuges in Kansas →

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