National Wildlife Refuge · Wisconsin · FWS Region 3

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Juneau County, Wisconsin, Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 44,044 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules, 1 open with special regulations, and 1 closed, covering about 39,111 huntable acres.

1 open unit1 with special regs1 closedYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
39.1Khuntable acres
44KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Necedah 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 Necedah NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

The largest public hunting area near Madison and Milwaukee, Necedah National Wildlife Refuge has become a popular destination for many Wisconsin hunters.

Youth hunting

A 2-day deer hunt is held. At least one adult must be present for every two youth hunters.

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 mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Wisconsin regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Open: 10,253 (25%)Special regulations: 28,858 (72%)Closed: 1,181 (3%)39.1Khuntable acres
  • Open10,253 ac 25%
  • Special regulations28,858 ac 72%
  • Closed1,181 ac 3%
Units by size (acres)
3
28,858 ac
2
10,253 ac
1
1,181 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
2 Open 10,253 — 🧒 A 2-day deer hunt is held. At least one adult must be present for every two youth hunters.
3 Special regs 28,858 — 🧒 A 2-day deer hunt is held. At least one adult must be present for every two youth hunters.
1 Closed 1,181 — 🧒 A 2-day deer hunt is held. At least one adult must be present for every two youth hunters.

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 Wisconsin hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Wisconsin 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 Necedah NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Hook-and-line fishing for warm-water species, including panfish, northern pike and bullheads, is available in refuge fishing areas. Fishing areas and seasons include Sprague and Goose Pools, June 1-September 15 and December 15-March 15.

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

How to get to Necedah NWR

Navigate

Destination: Necedah National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
44.12886, -90.17459
DMS
44°07′43.9″N 90°10′28.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Necedah, WI8.6 mi NW of town
  • La Crosse, WI58 mi NE of town
  • Wausau, WI63 mi SW of town
  • Winona, MN73 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • MSN Madison Dane County80 mi
  • GRB Green Bay Austin Straubel104 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 Necedah 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, 20265:52 AM6:22 AM7:39 PM13h 17m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:08 AM6:38 AM7:13 PM12h 35m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM6:43 PM11h 47m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM6:18 PM11h 05m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:06 AM6:36 AM4:52 PM10h 16m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:25 AM6:55 AM4:35 PM9h 41m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM4:24 PM9h 09m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM4:22 PM8h 54m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:05 AM7:35 AM4:31 PM8h 56m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:02 AM7:32 AM4:45 PM9h 13m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:49 AM7:19 AM5:08 PM9h 49m

Computed for 44.129, -90.175 (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.

Necedah NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Necedah NWR?

Yes. Necedah National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (39,111 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, 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 Necedah NWR?

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

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

Where is Necedah NWR located?

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is in Juneau County, Wisconsin, about 9 miles NW of Necedah, WI (straight-line). GPS: 44.12886, -90.17459.

What are legal shooting hours at Necedah 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

Fox River NWR

Marquette County, WI · 49 mi SE

1 open1 closed
🦌

988 huntable acres

Leopold WMD

Columbia County, WI · 54 mi SE

1 open2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

13.8K huntable acres

Genoa NFH

Vernon County, WI · 67 mi SW

1 closed
🎣

Upper Mississippi River NWFR

Houston County, MN · 67 mi SW

10 special6 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

237K huntable acres

Trempealeau NWR

Trempealeau County, WI · 68 mi W

1 open1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

6.9K huntable acres

Horicon NWR

Dodge County, WI · 85 mi SE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

21.6K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in Wisconsin →

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