National Wildlife Refuge · Ohio · FWS Region 3

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is located in Ottawa County, Ohio, with about 7,686 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: 4 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 7,014 huntable acres.

4 with special regs1 closedYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
5hunt units
7Khuntable acres
7.7KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Ottawa 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 Ottawa NWR

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

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge offers numerous hunting opportunities. Public hunting for waterfowl and deer is available at the refuge’s Metzger Marsh Unit, which is adjacent to the Metzger Marsh State Wildlife Area.

Youth hunting

A deer hunt for youth hunters is issued by lottery.

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 Ohio regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (5)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 7,014 (83%)Closed: 1,486 (17%)7Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations7,014 ac 83%
  • Closed1,486 ac 17%
Units by size (acres)
Controlled Big Game
2,891 ac
Controlled Big Game & Waterfowl
1,925 ac
Closed
1,486 ac
Open
1,485 ac
Daily Permit Area
713 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Controlled Big Game Special regs 2,891 — 🧒 A deer hunt for youth hunters is issued by lottery.
Controlled Big Game & Waterfowl Special regs 1,925 — 🧒 A deer hunt for youth hunters is issued by lottery.
Daily Permit Area Special regs 713 — 🧒 A deer hunt for youth hunters is issued by lottery.
Open Special regs 1,485 — 🧒 A deer hunt for youth hunters is issued by lottery.
Closed Closed 1,486 — 🧒 A deer hunt for youth hunters is issued by lottery.

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 Ohio hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Ohio Division of Wildlife
  • 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 Ottawa NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Most of the refuge’s fishery resources are associated with Lake Erie, its wetlands and connecting tributaries. Some of the best walleye sport fishing in the United States is found offshore of the refuge.

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

How to get to Ottawa NWR

Navigate

Destination: Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.62141, -83.22034
DMS
41°37′17.1″N 83°13′13.2″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Toledo, OH17 mi E of town
  • Sandusky, OH29 mi NW of town
  • Detroit, MI50 mi S of town
  • Cleveland, OH80 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • DTW Detroit Metro41 mi
  • CLE Cleveland Hopkins72 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 Ottawa 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, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM8:08 PM13h 11m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM7:44 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM7:16 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:13 AM7:43 AM6:53 PM11h 10m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM5:29 PM10h 26m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM5:14 PM9h 53m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:09 AM7:39 AM5:04 PM9h 25m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:22 AM7:52 AM5:03 PM9h 11m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:29 AM7:59 AM5:12 PM9h 13m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:27 AM7:57 AM5:25 PM9h 28m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:15 AM7:45 AM5:46 PM10h 01m

Computed for 41.621, -83.220 (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.

Ottawa NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Ottawa NWR?

Yes. Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 4 units (7,014 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 Ottawa NWR?

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

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

Where is Ottawa NWR located?

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge is in Ottawa County, Ohio, about 17 miles E of Toledo, OH (straight-line). GPS: 41.62141, -83.22034.

What are legal shooting hours at Ottawa 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

Cedar Point NWR

Lucas County, OH · 6.9 mi NW

3 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

2.6K huntable acres

West Sister Island NWR

OH · 10 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

Monroe County, MI · 25 mi N

5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

1.7K huntable acres

Michigan WMD

Ingham County, MI · 103 mi NW

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

659 huntable acres

Shiawassee NWR

Saginaw County, MI · 126 mi N

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9.9K huntable acres

Erie NWR

Crawford County, PA · 167 mi E

2 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

9K huntable acres

All refuges in Ohio →

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