National Wildlife Refuge · Minnesota · FWS Region 3

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge lies in Hennepin County, Minnesota, with about 10,112 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 17 mapped hunt units: 12 open with special regulations and 5 closed, covering about 12,620 huntable acres.

12 with special regs5 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
17hunt units
12.6Khuntable acres
10.1KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

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
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

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)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 12,620 (87%)Closed: 1,891 (13%)12.6Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations12,620 ac 87%
  • Closed1,891 ac 13%
Units by size (acres)
Long Meadow Lake
2,329 ac
Rapids Lake
1,900 ac
Black Dog
1,502 ac
Louisville N
1,390 ac
Louisville S
1,235 ac
Wilkie W
1,143 ac
Blakeley
1,121 ac
Jessenland
1,121 ac
Wilkie R
607 ac
Chaska
565 ac
Saint Lawrence
451 ac
Upgrala
403 ac
Bloomington Ferry
356 ac
Wilkie E
258 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Blakeley 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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…

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)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
44.85980, -93.21630
DMS
44°51′35.3″N 93°12′58.7″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

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

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM7:52 PM13h 19m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM7:26 PM12h 36m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM6:55 PM11h 47m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM6:30 PM11h 03m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM5:03 PM10h 13m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM4:46 PM9h 37m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM4:34 PM9h 04m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:13 AM7:43 AM4:32 PM8h 49m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:20 AM7:50 AM4:41 PM8h 51m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:17 AM7:47 AM4:55 PM9h 09m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:03 AM7:33 AM5:18 PM9h 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.

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

St. Croix WMD

St. Croix County, WI · 35 mi NE

1 open1 special
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Minnesota Valley WMD

Le Sueur County, MN · 38 mi SW

2 special
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8.7K huntable acres

Sherburne NWR

Sherburne County, MN · 50 mi NW

3 special3 closed
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28K huntable acres

Litchfield WMD

Meeker County, MN · 66 mi W

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

38.6K huntable acres

Crane Meadows NWR

Morrison County, MN · 90 mi NW

1 open2 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

All refuges in Minnesota →

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