St. Croix WMD
St. Croix County, WI · 35 mi NE
✓1 open!1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣
8.9K huntable acres
Minnesota Valley 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
Hunting at Minnesota Valley NWR
Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.
Upland game hunting was expanded in 2015. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is a hunter's getaway from the urban and suburban areas of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Youth hunting
The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge for waterfowl hunting.
All refuges with youth hunts →
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 Minnesota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.
Hunt units (17)
- Special regulations12,620 ac 87%
- Closed1,891 ac 13%
| Unit | Status | Acres | Permit | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blakeley Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 1,121 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Bloomington Ferry Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 356 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Chaska Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 565 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Jessenland Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 1,121 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Long Meadow Lake Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 2,329 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Louisville N Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 1,390 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Louisville S Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 1,235 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Rapids Lake Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 1,900 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Saint Lawrence Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 451 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Upgrala Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 403 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Wilkie R Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 607 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Wilkie W Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 1,143 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Black Dog Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 1,502 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Rapids Lake Closed Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 47 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Round Lake Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 33 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| San Francisco Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 52 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
| Wilkie E Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 258 | Required Special Use Permit |
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge. 🧒 The refuge offers a Youth Waterfowlers Hunting Program, which allows access to areas of the refuge… |
Minnesota Valley NWR by the numbers
With about 12,620 huntable acres, Minnesota Valley NWR ranks #11 of 19 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Minnesota and #156 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 87% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.
The largest huntable unit is Long Meadow Lake (2,329 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Bloomington Ferry, covers 356 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.
5 units totaling 1,891 acres are closed to hunting (Black Dog, Rapids Lake Closed, Round Lake, San Francisco, and Wilkie E). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.
Besides 10,112 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 131 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.
6 Waterfowl Production Areas lie within 35 miles; the closest is Soberg WPA (74 acres, 16 miles S).
When to hunt Minnesota Valley NWR
Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Minnesota 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.
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
🦆 Waterfowl
🦃 Wild Turkey
🐦 Upland Birds
🕊️ Migratory Birds
🐇 Small Game
🐗 Feral & Exotic
Permits & licenses
Refuge permit
Required
Deer population management hunts require a permit on some units of the refuge.
Type: Special Use Permit
How to get it:
- 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office
You'll also need
- A valid Minnesota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Minnesota 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 Minnesota Valley NWR
- 🐟 Freshwater fishing
The refuge is located along a 39-mile stretch of the Minnesota River from Fort Snelling to Jordan. Major species include northern pike and carp. Boating is not permitted. Only bank fishing is allowed.
State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.
How to get to Minnesota Valley NWR
Navigate
Destination: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)
- Decimal
44.85980, -93.21630- DMS
44°51′35.3″N 93°12′58.7″W
Nearest towns
- Minneapolis, MN8.7 mi S of town
- St. Paul, MN8.8 mi SW of town
- Mankato, MN62 mi NE of town
- St. Cloud, MN67 mi SE of town
Closest airports
- MSP Minneapolis–St. Paul1.4 mi
- DLH Duluth Intl145 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 Minnesota Valley 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
| Date | Shooting light | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | 6:03 AM | 6:33 AM | 7:52 PM | 13h 19m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:20 AM | 6:50 AM | 7:26 PM | 12h 36m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:39 AM | 7:09 AM | 6:55 PM | 11h 47m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 6:56 AM | 7:26 AM | 6:30 PM | 11h 03m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 6:19 AM | 6:49 AM | 5:03 PM | 10h 13m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:39 AM | 7:09 AM | 4:46 PM | 9h 37m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 6:59 AM | 7:29 AM | 4:34 PM | 9h 04m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 7:13 AM | 7:43 AM | 4:32 PM | 8h 49m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 7:20 AM | 7:50 AM | 4:41 PM | 8h 51m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 7:17 AM | 7:47 AM | 4:55 PM | 9h 09m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 7:03 AM | 7:33 AM | 5:18 PM | 9h 46m |
Computed for 44.860, -93.216 (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.
Guides for hunting Minnesota Valley 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…
Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety
How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, 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…
Minnesota Valley NWR FAQ
Is hunting allowed at Minnesota Valley NWR?
Yes. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 12 units (12,620 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 Minnesota Valley NWR?
Yes — Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Special Use Permit. Permits can be obtained visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.
Can you fish at Minnesota Valley NWR?
Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.
Where is Minnesota Valley NWR located?
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is in Hennepin County, Minnesota, about 9 miles S of Minneapolis, MN (straight-line). GPS: 44.85980, -93.21630.
What are legal shooting hours at Minnesota Valley 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
Minnesota Valley WMD
Le Sueur County, MN · 38 mi SW
!2 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣
8.7K huntable acres
Sherburne NWR
Sherburne County, MN · 50 mi NW
!3 special✕3 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣
28K huntable acres
Litchfield WMD
Meeker County, MN · 66 mi W
!1 special✕1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣
38.6K huntable acres
Crane Meadows NWR
Morrison County, MN · 90 mi NW
✓1 open!2 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇
2.2K huntable acres
Mille Lacs NWR
Mille Lacs County, MN · 92 mi N
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles
- Soberg WPA 74 ac · 16 mi S
- Soberg WPA 40 ac · 17 mi S
- Clapp WPA 239 ac · 30 mi E
- Somerset WPA 65 ac · 31 mi NE
- White WPA 56 ac · 31 mi NE
- Bass Lake WPA 423 ac · 32 mi NE
Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.