National Wildlife Refuge · Minnesota · FWS Region 3

Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge is located in Lincoln County, Minnesota, with about 7,173 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its lands extend into Iowa. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 5 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules, 3 open with special regulations, and 1 closed, covering about 6,677 huntable acres.

1 open unit3 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
6.7Khuntable acres
7.2KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Northern Tallgrass Prairie 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 Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge was established in 2000 to address the loss of America’s grasslands and the decline of grassland wildlife. The refuge consists of scattered tracts in western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa.

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 (5)

Acreage by status
Open: 990 (14%)Special regulations: 5,687 (82%)Closed: 264 (4%)6.7Khuntable acres
  • Open990 ac 14%
  • Special regulations5,687 ac 82%
  • Closed264 ac 4%
Units by size (acres)
Refuge-MN
5,409 ac
Refuge-IA
990 ac
Closed-MN
264 ac
State Game Refuge - Spieker
160 ac
State Game Refuge - Pipestone
118 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Refuge-IA
Show on map · Directions		 Open 990 —
Refuge-MN
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 5,409 —
State Game Refuge - Pipestone
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 118 —
State Game Refuge - Spieker
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 160 —
Closed-MN
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 264 —

Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR by the numbers

With about 6,677 huntable acres, Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR ranks #15 of 19 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Minnesota and #242 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 96% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Refuge-MN (5,409 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, State Game Refuge - Pipestone, covers 118 acres.

1 unit totaling 264 acres is closed to hunting (Closed-MN). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 7,173 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 10,002 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 Gislason Lake WPA (409 acres, 2 miles W).

When to hunt Northern Tallgrass Prairie 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.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds, Small Game, Feral & Exotic
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit
🐗 Feral & Exotic
Feral hog (often year-round)

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 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 Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Established to conserve remaining tallgrass prairie parcels, Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge consists of scattered tracts in western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa across 85 counties. Sport fishing is open only on fee title acres.

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

How to get to Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR

Navigate

Destination: Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
44.45171, -96.08979
DMS
44°27′06.2″N 96°05′23.2″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Marshall, MN15 mi W of town
  • Brookings, SD36 mi E of town
  • Madison, SD59 mi NE of town
  • Watertown, SD59 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • FSD Sioux Falls Regional68 mi
  • ABR Aberdeen Regional133 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 Northern Tallgrass Prairie 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, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM8:03 PM13h 18m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM7:37 PM12h 36m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:50 AM7:20 AM7:07 PM11h 47m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:07 AM7:37 AM6:42 PM11h 04m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM5:15 PM10h 15m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM4:58 PM9h 39m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:10 AM7:40 AM4:47 PM9h 07m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:23 AM7:53 AM4:45 PM8h 52m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:30 AM8:00 AM4:54 PM8h 54m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:27 AM7:57 AM5:08 PM9h 11m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:13 AM7:43 AM5:31 PM9h 48m

Computed for 44.452, -96.090 (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 Northern Tallgrass Prairie 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…

Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR?

Yes. Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 4 units (6,677 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 Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Northern Tallgrass Prairie 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 Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR?

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

Where is Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR located?

Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge is in Lincoln County, Minnesota, about 15 miles W of Marshall, MN (straight-line). GPS: 44.45171, -96.08979.

What are legal shooting hours at Northern Tallgrass Prairie 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

Big Stone NWR

Lac qui Parle County, MN · 56 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9.6K huntable acres

Big Stone WMD

Big Stone County, MN · 57 mi N

1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

4.4K huntable acres

Madison WMD

Lake County, SD · 59 mi SW

1 open1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

44K huntable acres

Windom WMD

Cottonwood County, MN · 64 mi SE

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

17.8K huntable acres

Morris WMD

Stevens County, MN · 82 mi N

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

56.6K huntable acres

Litchfield WMD

Meeker County, MN · 88 mi NE

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

38.6K huntable acres

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 October 28, 2026.