Hunt unit · Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge

Lake Unit Hunt Unit Map & Access

OpenPermit required

The Lake Unit is one of 4 mapped hunt units on Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge in Hyde County, NC. It covers approximately 39,005 acres and is listed as “open to hunting” for 2026–2027. Hunting generally follows state seasons and bag limits, along with general refuge rules. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
39,005acres
Openstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Hyde Countycounty

Lake Unit map

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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
Downloads (whole refuge):KMLGPX

Rules & permits for this unit

Status: Open to hunting

Hunting follows North Carolina seasons, bag limits and licensing, plus general National Wildlife Refuge rules.

Refuge permit required. Type: Other. Obtain via: Mail, Online Other, Visitor Center.

Hunting only, not fishing

Game at Mattamuskeet NWR

Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.

Getting to the Lake Unit

Navigate

Destination: center of the Lake Unit

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Decimal
35.51154, -76.14303
DMS
35°30′41.5″N 76°08′34.9″W

Nearest towns

  • Manteo, NC38 mi SW of town
  • Plymouth, NC42 mi SE of town
  • Elizabeth City, NC54 mi S of town

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.

Shooting hours at this unit

Today at Lake Unit

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:06 AM6:36 AM7:33 PM12h 58m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM7:13 PM12h 27m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM6:50 PM11h 52m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM6:30 PM11h 21m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM5:10 PM10h 45m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:09 AM6:39 AM4:59 PM10h 20m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM4:52 PM9h 57m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM4:53 PM9h 47m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM5:01 PM9h 48m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:43 AM7:13 AM5:13 PM10h 00m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:34 AM7:04 AM5:30 PM10h 26m

Computed for 35.512, -76.143 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

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Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Other units at Mattamuskeet NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Late-Season Waterfowl Hunt AreaSpecial regs1,902Required
Shoreline UnitSpecial regs7,938Required
No Hunting ZoneClosed1,039Required

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