National Wildlife Refuge · Texas · FWS Region 2

McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Jefferson County, Texas, McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 59,859 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 5 mapped hunt units: 4 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 21,559 huntable acres.

4 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
21.6Khuntable acres
59.9KFWS-owned acres
1game categories

McFaddin 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 McFaddin NWR

  • Big Game
  • Waterfowl
  • Wild Turkey
  • Upland Birds
  • Migratory Birds
  • Small Game
  • Feral & Exotic
  • Fishing

Hunters can pursue waterfowl here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Bayous weave through seemingly endless expanses of cordgrass on 55,000-acre McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, which protects the largest freshwater marsh on the Texas coast.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and coots

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

Hunt units (5)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 21,559 (36%)Closed: 38,300 (64%)21.6Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations21,559 ac 36%
  • Closed38,300 ac 64%
Units by size (acres)
Closed
38,300 ac
Star Lake/Clam Lake Hunt
9,417 ac
Spaced Blind Hunt
5,369 ac
Central Hunt
4,669 ac
Mud Bayou Hunt
2,104 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Central Hunt Special regs 4,669 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Refuge Hunt Brochure
Mud Bayou Hunt Special regs 2,104 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Refuge Hunt Brochure
Spaced Blind Hunt Special regs 5,369 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Refuge Hunt Brochure
Star Lake/Clam Lake Hunt Special regs 9,417 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Refuge Hunt Brochure
Closed Closed 38,300 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 Refuge Hunt Brochure

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Refuge Hunt Brochure

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Texas hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
  • 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 McFaddin NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing
  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Refuge waters include Star Lake (400 acres), Clam Lake (2,000 acres), 5-Mile Cut and 10-Mile Cut and access to the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing season is year-round. Available species include black drum, flounder, red drum and blue crab.

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

How to get to McFaddin NWR

Navigate

Destination: McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
29.64371, -94.21065
DMS
29°38′37.4″N 94°12′38.3″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Port Arthur, TX24 mi SW of town
  • Beaumont, TX31 mi S of town
  • Galveston, TX43 mi NE of town
  • Houston, TX70 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • IAH Houston Bush Intercontinental72 mi
  • LFT Lafayette Regional139 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 McFaddin 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, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM7:40 PM12h 47m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM7:23 PM12h 23m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM7:03 PM11h 55m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM6:47 PM11h 30m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:59 AM6:29 AM5:31 PM11h 02m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM5:22 PM10h 41m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM5:18 PM10h 24m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM5:19 PM10h 16m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM5:27 PM10h 16m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:42 AM7:12 AM5:38 PM10h 26m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:36 AM7:06 AM5:53 PM10h 46m

Computed for 29.644, -94.211 (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.

McFaddin NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at McFaddin NWR?

Yes. McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 4 units (21,559 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt McFaddin NWR?

Yes — McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained online through fws or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at McFaddin NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing, tidal / saltwater fishing, and shellfishing & crabbing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is McFaddin NWR located?

McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge is in Jefferson County, Texas, about 24 miles SW of Port Arthur, TX (straight-line). GPS: 29.64371, -94.21065.

What are legal shooting hours at McFaddin 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

Jocelyn Nungaray NWR

Chambers County, TX · 14 mi W

3 open1 closed
🦆🎣

12.9K huntable acres

Texas Point NWR

Jefferson County, TX · 19 mi E

1 open1 closed
🦆🎣

3.6K huntable acres

Sabine NWR

Cameron Parish, LA · 42 mi NE

1 special1 closed
🦆🎣

34.1K huntable acres

Trinity River NWR

Liberty County, TX · 61 mi NW

7 special5 closed
🦌🦆🐇🐗🎣

8.8K huntable acres

Cameron Prairie NWR

Cameron Parish, LA · 61 mi E

2 special2 closed
🦌🦆🕊️🎣

9.2K huntable acres

Brazoria NWR

Brazoria County, TX · 68 mi SW

5 open1 special1 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

10.9K huntable acres

All refuges in Texas →

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