Hunt unit · Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Rapids Lake Hunt Unit Map & Access

Special regsPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Rapids Lake unit is one of 17 mapped hunt units on Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Carver County, MN. It covers approximately 1,900 acres and is listed as “open – special regulations apply” for 2026–2027. That means hunting is permitted, but refuge-specific rules — such as limited species, dates, weapon types, access methods or quota permits — apply on top of state regulations. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
1,900acres
Special regsstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Carver Countycounty

Rapids Lake map

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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
Downloads (whole refuge):KMLGPX

Rules & permits for this unit

Status: Open – special regulations apply

Hunting is allowed, but refuge-specific rules apply in addition to Minnesota regulations. Typical special regulations include limited species or seasons, quota/lottery permits, weapon restrictions (e.g. archery or shotgun only), shooting-hour limits, blind or stand rules and restricted access.

Refuge permit required. Type: Special Use Permit. Obtain via: Visitor Center.

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 for waterfowl hunting.

Game at Minnesota Valley NWR

Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.

Getting to the Rapids Lake unit

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Destination: center of the Rapids Lake unit

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Decimal
44.72734, -93.64613
DMS
44°43′38.4″N 93°38′46.1″W

Nearest towns

  • Minneapolis, MN25 mi SW of town
  • St. Paul, MN31 mi SW of town
  • Mankato, MN43 mi NE of town

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.

Shooting hours at this unit

Today at Rapids Lake

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, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM7:54 PM13h 18m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM7:27 PM12h 36m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM6:57 PM11h 47m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM6:32 PM11h 04m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM5:05 PM10h 14m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM4:48 PM9h 37m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:01 AM7:31 AM4:36 PM9h 05m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:14 AM7:44 AM4:34 PM8h 50m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:21 AM7:51 AM4:43 PM8h 52m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:18 AM7:48 AM4:57 PM9h 09m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:04 AM7:34 AM5:20 PM9h 46m

Computed for 44.727, -93.646 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

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Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Other units at Minnesota Valley NWR

UnitStatusAcresPermit
BlakeleySpecial regs1,121Required
Bloomington FerrySpecial regs356Required
ChaskaSpecial regs565Required
JessenlandSpecial regs1,121Required
Long Meadow LakeSpecial regs2,329Required
Louisville NSpecial regs1,390Required
Louisville SSpecial regs1,235Required
Saint LawrenceSpecial regs451Required
UpgralaSpecial regs403Required
Wilkie RSpecial regs607Required
Wilkie WSpecial regs1,143Required
Black DogClosed1,502Required
Rapids Lake ClosedClosed47Required
Round LakeClosed33Required
San FranciscoClosed52Required
Wilkie EClosed258Required

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