Wetland Management District · Michigan · FWS Region 3

Michigan Wetland Management District Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Michigan Wetland Management District is located in Ingham County, Michigan, with about 563 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open under general rules, covering about 659 huntable acres.

1 open unit
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
659huntable acres
563FWS-owned acres
7game categories

Michigan WMD 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 Michigan WMD

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

The Michigan WMD, includes four waterfowl production areas (WPAs): The 160-acre Schlee WPA and 137-acre Mahan WPA in Jackson County, the 77-acre Kinney WPA in Van Buren County and the 160-acre Edgar WPA in Barry County. All are open to hunting.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall 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 Michigan regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Open: 659 (100%)659huntable acres
  • Open659 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
WPA Open Open 659 —

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 Michigan hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  • 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 Michigan WMD

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

All three Michigan Wetland Management District sites are managed as a mixture of wetlands and grasslands to provide high-quality nesting and brood-rearing habitat for waterfowl and a variety of migratory songbirds.

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

How to get to Michigan WMD

Navigate

Destination: Michigan Wetland Management District (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
42.76445, -84.50527
DMS
42°45′52.0″N 84°30′19.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Lansing, MI3.7 mi NE of town
  • Saginaw, MI53 mi SW of town
  • Grand Rapids, MI61 mi E of town
  • Kalamazoo, MI64 mi NE of town

Closest airports

  • GRR Grand Rapids Ford52 mi
  • DTW Detroit Metro70 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 Michigan WMD

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM8:15 PM13h 13m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM7:50 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:03 AM7:33 AM7:21 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:19 AM7:49 AM6:57 PM11h 08m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM5:32 PM10h 21m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM5:16 PM9h 47m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:18 AM7:48 AM5:06 PM9h 18m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:31 AM8:01 AM5:04 PM9h 04m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:38 AM8:08 AM5:13 PM9h 05m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:35 AM8:05 AM5:27 PM9h 22m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:23 AM7:53 AM5:49 PM9h 56m

Computed for 42.764, -84.505 (EDT / 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.

Michigan WMD FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Michigan WMD?

Yes. Michigan Wetland Management District offers hunting in 1 unit (659 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, 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 Michigan WMD?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Michigan WMD. 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 Michigan WMD?

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

Where is Michigan WMD located?

Michigan Wetland Management District is in Ingham County, Michigan, about 4 miles NE of Lansing, MI (straight-line). GPS: 42.76445, -84.50527.

What are legal shooting hours at Michigan WMD?

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

Shiawassee NWR

Saginaw County, MI · 48 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9.9K huntable acres

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Monroe County, MI · 84 mi SE

5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

1.7K huntable acres

Cedar Point NWR

Lucas County, OH · 96 mi SE

3 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

2.6K huntable acres

West Sister Island NWR

OH · 101 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Ottawa NWR

Ottawa County, OH · 103 mi SE

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

7K huntable acres

Kirtlands Warbler Wildlife Management Area

Oscoda County, MI · 140 mi N

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

6.6K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in Michigan →

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