National Wildlife Refuge · North Dakota · FWS Region 6

Mclean National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in McLean County, North Dakota, Mclean National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 342 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: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 342 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official website ↗
2hunt units
342huntable acres
342FWS-owned acres
4game categories

Mclean 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 Mclean NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, wild turkey, upland birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeSmall 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 North Dakota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 342 (45%)Closed: 416 (55%)342huntable acres
  • Special regulations342 ac 45%
  • Closed416 ac 55%
Units by size (acres)
Closed Unit
416 ac
Hunt Unit
342 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Hunt Unit Special regs 342 —
Closed Unit Closed 416 —

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 North Dakota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — North Dakota Game and Fish Department
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Mclean NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Mclean NWR.

How to get to Mclean NWR

Navigate

Destination: Mclean National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
47.80999, -101.95735
DMS
47°48′36.0″N 101°57′26.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Garrison, ND27 mi NW of town
  • Minot, ND42 mi SW of town
  • Kenmare, ND60 mi S of town
  • Dickinson, ND75 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • MOT Minot Intl44 mi
  • BIS Bismarck Municipal91 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 Mclean 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, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM8:31 PM13h 27m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:53 AM7:23 AM8:02 PM12h 40m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:15 AM7:45 AM7:29 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:35 AM8:05 AM7:01 PM10h 57m
Sun, Nov 1, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM5:31 PM10h 01m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:22 AM7:52 AM5:12 PM9h 20m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:45 AM8:15 AM4:58 PM8h 44m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:59 AM8:29 AM4:55 PM8h 26m
Fri, Jan 1, 20278:06 AM8:36 AM5:04 PM8h 28m
Fri, Jan 15, 20278:02 AM8:32 AM5:20 PM8h 48m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:46 AM8:16 AM5:45 PM9h 30m

Computed for 47.810, -101.957 (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.

Mclean NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Mclean NWR?

Yes. Mclean National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (342 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, wild turkey, upland birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Mclean NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Mclean NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is Mclean NWR located?

Mclean National Wildlife Refuge is in McLean County, North Dakota, about 27 miles NW of Garrison, ND (straight-line). GPS: 47.80999, -101.95735.

What are legal shooting hours at Mclean 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

Shell Lake NWR

Mountrail County, ND · 27 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Audubon WMD

McLean County, ND · 37 mi SE

1 open1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

26.2K huntable acres

Audubon NWR

McLean County, ND · 40 mi SE

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

3.2K huntable acres

Lake Ilo NWR

Dunn County, ND · 46 mi SW

1 closed
🎣

Lake Nettie NWR

McLean County, ND · 47 mi E

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇

2.1K huntable acres

Upper Souris NWR

Renville County, ND · 54 mi N

3 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

32K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in North Dakota →

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