National Wildlife Refuge · Rhode Island · FWS Region 5

Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Washington County, Rhode Island, Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 882 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 5 mapped hunt units: 2 open under general rules, 2 open with special regulations, and 1 closed, covering about 852 huntable acres.

2 open units2 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
852huntable acres
882FWS-owned acres
3game categories

Ninigret 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 Ninigret NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, wild turkey, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge encompasses a range of habitats, including pine barrens, shrublands, mature forest and coastal wetlands that host a plethora of resident and migratory wildlife.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeySmall 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 Rhode Island regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (5)

Acreage by status
Open: 380 (43%)Special regulations: 472 (53%)Closed: 31 (3%)852huntable acres
  • Open380 ac 43%
  • Special regulations472 ac 53%
  • Closed31 ac 3%
Units by size (acres)
Salt Pond
358 ac
Lewis Tract
347 ac
Kettle Pond
114 ac
Barrier Beach
34 ac
Closed to Hunting
31 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Barrier Beach
Show on map · Directions		 Open 34 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunting requires signed brochure
Lewis Tract
Show on map · Directions		 Open 347 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunting requires signed brochure
Kettle Pond
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 114 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunting requires signed brochure
Salt Pond
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 358 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunting requires signed brochure
Closed to Hunting
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 31 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 All hunting requires signed brochure

Ninigret NWR by the numbers

With about 852 huntable acres, Ninigret NWR ranks #1 of 5 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Rhode Island and #362 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 97% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Salt Pond (358 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Barrier Beach, covers 34 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 31 acres is closed to hunting (Closed to Hunting). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 882 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 0.6 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Ninigret NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Rhode Island 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, Wild Turkey, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

All hunting requires signed brochure

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Rhode Island hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Rhode Island DEM Fish & Wildlife
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Ninigret NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Fishing at Ninigret Pond, the largest coastal salt pond in Rhode Island, is a spectacular treat -– not only because of the fish available, but also because of the expansive vistas and gorgeous sunsets.

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

How to get to Ninigret NWR

Navigate

Destination: Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.36266, -71.66608
DMS
41°21′45.6″N 71°39′57.9″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Westerly, RI8.6 mi E of town
  • Newport, RI20 mi SW of town
  • New London, CT23 mi E of town
  • Providence, RI34 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • PVD Providence T.F. Green28 mi
  • BDL Hartford Bradley66 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 Ninigret NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:41 AM6:11 AM7:22 PM13h 10m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM6:58 PM12h 32m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:11 AM6:41 AM6:30 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM6:07 PM11h 11m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:47 AM6:17 AM4:43 PM10h 26m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM4:28 PM9h 54m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM4:19 PM9h 26m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:35 AM7:05 AM4:18 PM9h 13m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:42 AM7:12 AM4:26 PM9h 14m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM4:40 PM9h 30m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:28 AM6:58 AM5:00 PM10h 02m

Computed for 41.363, -71.666 (EDT / 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 Ninigret 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…

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…

Your First Public-Land Hunt: A Step-by-Step Checklist for New Hunters

Hunter education, licenses, choosing a first species, gear, practice, scouting with maps and what to expect on your…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Refuge Hunting Permits: Types, Lotteries & How to Apply

Signed brochures, quota permits, special use permits and where to get them — online, kiosk, mail or visitor center.

How to Read a Refuge Hunt Brochure (and Not Miss the Rule That Matters)

What's inside a National Wildlife Refuge hunt brochure, where to find it, how it relates to 50 CFR Part 32 and state…

Ninigret NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Ninigret NWR?

Yes. Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 4 units (852 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, wild turkey, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Ninigret NWR?

Yes — Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained online through fws or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Ninigret NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Ninigret NWR located?

Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge is in Washington County, Rhode Island, about 9 miles E of Westerly, RI (straight-line). GPS: 41.36266, -71.66608.

What are legal shooting hours at Ninigret 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

Trustom Pond NWR

Washington County, RI · 4.4 mi E

1 open2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🎣

368 huntable acres

Block Island NWR

RI · 11 mi SE

2 open3 special
🦌🦆🎣

129 huntable acres

John H. Chafee NWR

Washington County, RI · 12 mi NE

6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🎣

440 huntable acres

Sachuest Point NWR

Newport County, RI · 23 mi E

1 special1 closed
🦌🐇🎣

141 huntable acres

Amagansett NWR

Suffolk County, NY · 36 mi SW

1 closed
🎣

Elizabeth Alexandra Morton NWR

Suffolk County, NY · 45 mi SW

1 closed
🎣

All refuges in Rhode Island →

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