National Wildlife Refuge · Mississippi · FWS Region 4

Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Holmes County, Mississippi, Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 2,363 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations, covering about 2,363 huntable acres.

2 with special regsPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
2.4Khuntable acres
2.4KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Mathews Brake 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 Mathews Brake NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, small game, and feral & exotic, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

The 1,800-acre lake and its surroundings, now conserved as Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge, have a storied history as a waterfowl hunting area. Prior to becoming a refuge, the area was divided among private duck hunting clubs.

Youth hunting

The first two weekends of the January waterfowl hunt are typically open only to youth hunters.

All refuges with youth hunts →
Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammalsFeral & ExoticFeral hogs and other non-native species where refuge rules allow

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Mississippi regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 2,363 (100%)2.4Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations2,363 ac 100%
Units by size (acres)
Refuge
1,555 ac
Waterfowl Sanctuary
807 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Refuge
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,555 Required
Other		 All hunters and anglers must purchase a TR Complex permit for $15 through Rec access ($5 fee online) or at the refuge…
🧒 The first two weekends of the January waterfowl hunt are typically open only to youth hunters.
Waterfowl Sanctuary
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 807 Required
Other		 All hunters and anglers must purchase a TR Complex permit for $15 through Rec access ($5 fee online) or at the refuge…
🧒 The first two weekends of the January waterfowl hunt are typically open only to youth hunters.

Mathews Brake NWR by the numbers

With about 2,363 huntable acres, Mathews Brake NWR ranks #12 of 13 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Mississippi and #315 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 100% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Refuge (1,555 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Waterfowl Sanctuary, covers 807 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

When to hunt Mathews Brake NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Mississippi 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, Small Game, Feral & Exotic
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit
🐗 Feral & Exotic
Feral hog (often year-round)

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunters and anglers must purchase a TR Complex permit for $15 through Rec access ($5 fee online) or at the refuge office.

Type: Other

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)
  • 📋 Other (see refuge)

You'll also need

  • A valid Mississippi hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, 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 Mathews Brake NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing season is year-round, except in the waterfowl sanctuary one day prior to the beginning of waterfowl season through March 1.

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

How to get to Mathews Brake NWR

Navigate

Destination: Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
33.35787, -90.25284
DMS
33°21′28.3″N 90°15′10.2″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Yazoo City, MS36 mi N of town
  • Greenville, MS47 mi E of town
  • Jackson, MS73 mi N of town
  • Vicksburg, MS79 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • JAN Jackson–Evers73 mi
  • MEM Memphis Intl117 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 Mathews Brake 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, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM7:28 PM12h 54m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM7:09 PM12h 26m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM6:46 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM6:28 PM11h 24m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:48 AM6:18 AM5:10 PM10h 52m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM4:59 PM10h 28m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM4:54 PM10h 07m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM4:54 PM9h 58m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM5:03 PM9h 59m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM5:14 PM10h 10m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:27 AM6:57 AM5:31 PM10h 34m

Computed for 33.358, -90.253 (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 Mathews Brake 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…

Your First Public-Land Hunt: A Step-by-Step Checklist for New Hunters

Hunter education, licenses, choosing a first species, gear, practice, scouting with maps and what to expect on your…

Feral Hog Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges

Why many refuges allow — and encourage — feral hog hunting, how refuge rules handle hogs, safe shot placement, disease…

Mathews Brake NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Mathews Brake NWR?

Yes. Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (2,363 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, small game, and feral & exotic. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Mathews Brake NWR?

Yes — Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other. Permits can be obtained online through fws, online (e.g. recreation.gov), or other. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Mathews Brake NWR?

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

Where is Mathews Brake NWR located?

Mathews Brake National Wildlife Refuge is in Holmes County, Mississippi, about 36 miles N of Yazoo City, MS (straight-line). GPS: 33.35787, -90.25284.

What are legal shooting hours at Mathews Brake 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

Morgan Brake NWR

Holmes County, MS · 11 mi S

4 special
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🐗🎣

7.6K huntable acres

Hillside NWR

Holmes County, MS · 24 mi S

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🐗🎣

15.4K huntable acres

Tallahatchie NWR

Tallahatchie County, MS · 28 mi N

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

3.6K huntable acres

Holt Collier NWR

Washington County, MS · 31 mi W

3 special
🦌🦆🐇🐗🎣

3K huntable acres

Theodore Roosevelt NWR

Sharkey County, MS · 39 mi SW

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🐇🐗🎣

4.7K huntable acres

Panther Swamp NWR

Yazoo County, MS · 42 mi SW

5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

41.4K huntable acres

All refuges in Mississippi →

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