National Wildlife Refuge · Idaho · FWS Region 1

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge lies in Blaine County, Idaho, with about 2,843 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 7 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules, 5 open with special regulations, and 1 closed, covering about 5,468 huntable acres.

1 open unit5 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
7hunt units
5.5Khuntable acres
2.8KFWS-owned acres
5game categories

Minidoka 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 Minidoka NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

The middle part of the Snake River that winds through southern Idaho is well known for excellent waterfowl hunting. Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge offers an opportunity on this part of the river, and refuge hunts often draw out-of-state hunters.

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

Hunt units (7)

Acreage by status
Open: 315 (1%)Special regulations: 5,153 (21%)Closed: 18,966 (78%)5.5Khuntable acres
  • Open315 ac 1%
  • Special regulations5,153 ac 21%
  • Closed18,966 ac 78%
Units by size (acres)
Closed Area
18,966 ac
West Hunting Area
3,129 ac
East Hunting Area
660 ac
East Hunting Area South
546 ac
Gifford Springs Hunt Area
467 ac
Unit 12
351 ac
Raft River Hunting Area
315 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Raft River Hunting Area
Show on map · Directions		 Open 315 —
East Hunting Area
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 660 —
East Hunting Area South
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 546 —
Gifford Springs Hunt Area
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 467 —
Unit 12
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 351 —
West Hunting Area
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 3,129 —
Closed Area
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 18,966 —

Minidoka NWR by the numbers

With about 5,468 huntable acres, Minidoka NWR ranks #3 of 7 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Idaho and #255 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 22% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is West Hunting Area (3,129 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Raft River Hunting Area, covers 315 acres.

1 unit totaling 18,966 acres is closed to hunting (Closed Area). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

When to hunt Minidoka NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Idaho sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

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 Idaho hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Idaho Department of Fish and Game
  • 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 Minidoka NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Refuge waters include Lake Walcott, the reservoir behind Minidoka Dam (11,000 acres, of which 4,000 acres are open to boat fishing at certain times); Snake River, in the spillway area below Minidoka Dam (60 acres); and in Smith Spring and Gifford…

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

How to get to Minidoka NWR

Navigate

Destination: Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
42.66433, -113.40042
DMS
42°39′51.6″N 113°24′01.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Pocatello, ID50 mi W of town
  • Twin Falls, ID54 mi E of town
  • Idaho Falls, ID90 mi SW of town
  • Soda Springs, ID91 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • PIH Pocatello Regional44 mi
  • TWF Magic Valley (Twin Falls)57 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 Minidoka NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM8:10 PM13h 13m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM7:45 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM7:17 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:15 AM7:45 AM6:53 PM11h 08m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM5:28 PM10h 22m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:54 AM7:24 AM5:12 PM9h 48m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:13 AM7:43 AM5:02 PM9h 18m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:26 AM7:56 AM5:00 PM9h 04m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:33 AM8:03 AM5:09 PM9h 06m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:31 AM8:01 AM5:23 PM9h 22m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:18 AM7:48 AM5:44 PM9h 56m

Computed for 42.664, -113.400 (MDT / 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.

Guides for hunting Minidoka NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Pheasant and Upland Bird Hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas

Why WPAs are some of the best walk-in pheasant ground in the Midwest, how to hunt them early and late in the season…

Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules

How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…

Minidoka NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Minidoka NWR?

Yes. Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 6 units (5,468 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Minidoka NWR?

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

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

Where is Minidoka NWR located?

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge is in Blaine County, Idaho, about 50 miles W of Pocatello, ID (straight-line). GPS: 42.66433, -113.40042.

What are legal shooting hours at Minidoka 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

Oxford Slough WPA

Franklin County, ID · 77 mi E

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

1.9K huntable acres

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Box Elder County, UT · 97 mi SE

2 special1 closed
🦆🐦🎣

30.2K huntable acres

Grays Lake NWR

Bonneville County, ID · 103 mi E

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

4.9K huntable acres

Camas NWR

Jefferson County, ID · 105 mi NE

3 open1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️

8.1K huntable acres

Bear Lake NWR

Bear Lake County, ID · 112 mi E

3 open1 special10 closed
🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

7.3K huntable acres

Cokeville Meadows NWR

Lincoln County, WY · 133 mi E

3 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

6K huntable acres

All refuges in Idaho →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.