National Wildlife Refuge · Illinois · FWS Region 3

Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge is located in Morgan County, Illinois, with about 3,698 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season, all 2 mapped hunt units are listed as closed to hunting.

2 closed
View hunt map Directions Official website ↗
2hunt units
0huntable acres
3.7KFWS-owned acres
0game categories

Meredosia 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 Meredosia NWR

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

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not list any hunting opportunities for this station. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Closed: 3,698 (100%)0huntable acres
  • Closed3,698 ac 100%
Units by size (acres)
Island
2,206 ac
Closed
1,493 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Closed Closed 1,493 —
Island Closed 2,206 —

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

Fishing at Meredosia NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is allowed on the state-managed Meredosia Lake. Boat access is provided at the north end of Beach Road. Species include bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie and catfish.

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

How to get to Meredosia NWR

Navigate

Destination: Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
39.87156, -90.56945
DMS
39°52′17.6″N 90°34′10.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Havana, IL40 mi SW of town
  • Quincy, IL45 mi E of town
  • Springfield, IL50 mi W of town
  • Peoria, IL77 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • PIA Peoria Intl72 mi
  • STL St. Louis Lambert78 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 Meredosia 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, 20265:59 AM6:29 AM7:36 PM13h 07m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM7:13 PM12h 31m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM6:46 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM6:24 PM11h 13m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:00 AM6:30 AM5:01 PM10h 32m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM4:47 PM10h 01m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM4:38 PM9h 35m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM4:38 PM9h 22m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:53 AM7:23 AM4:46 PM9h 23m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM4:59 PM9h 38m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM5:19 PM10h 08m

Computed for 39.872, -90.569 (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.

Meredosia NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Meredosia NWR?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not currently list hunting opportunities at Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge. All mapped units are closed to hunting.

Do I need a permit to hunt Meredosia NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Meredosia 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 Meredosia NWR?

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

Where is Meredosia NWR located?

Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge is in Morgan County, Illinois, about 40 miles SW of Havana, IL (straight-line). GPS: 39.87156, -90.56945.

What are legal shooting hours at Meredosia 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

Emiquon NWR

Fulton County, IL · 40 mi NE

1 special1 closed
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Clarence Cannon NWR

Pike County, MO · 43 mi S

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Chautauqua NWR

Mason County, IL · 46 mi NE

1 special1 closed
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810 huntable acres

Great River NWR

Adams County, IL · 50 mi W

5 special
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11.3K huntable acres

Two Rivers NWR

Calhoun County, IL · 63 mi S

8 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9K huntable acres

Port Louisa NWR

Louisa County, IA · 97 mi N

4 special1 closed
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15.4K huntable acres

All refuges in Illinois →

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