National Wildlife Refuge · Nevada · FWS Region 8

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is located in Lincoln County, Nevada, with about 4,622 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 7 mapped hunt units: 3 open with special regulations and 4 closed, covering about 2,728 huntable acres.

3 with special regs4 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
7hunt units
2.7Khuntable acres
4.6KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Pahranagat 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 Pahranagat NWR

Hunting opportunities include waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 as a migratory bird refuge. It consists of spring-fed wetland habitats in Nevada’s Mojave Desert.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland 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 Nevada regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (7)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 2,728 (59%)Closed: 1,922 (41%)2.7Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations2,728 ac 59%
  • Closed1,922 ac 41%
Units by size (acres)
Middle Marsh Unit
1,020 ac
Maynard Lake Unit
987 ac
Lower Lake Unit
720 ac
Upper Lake Unit
590 ac
Closed to Hunting
546 ac
Headquarters Unit
438 ac
North Marsh Unit
348 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Lower Lake Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 720 —
Maynard Lake Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 987 —
Middle Marsh Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 1,020 —
Closed to Hunting
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 546 —
Headquarters Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 438 —
North Marsh Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 348 —
Upper Lake Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 590 —

Pahranagat NWR by the numbers

With about 2,728 huntable acres, Pahranagat NWR ranks #7 of 7 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Nevada and #310 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 59% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Middle Marsh Unit (1,020 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Lower Lake Unit, covers 720 acres.

4 units totaling 1,922 acres are closed to hunting (Closed to Hunting, Headquarters Unit, North Marsh Unit, and Upper Lake Unit). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

When to hunt Pahranagat NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Nevada 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 — Waterfowl, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

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 Nevada hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Nevada Department 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 Pahranagat NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing at the refuge is best in Upper Lake, and it is allowed year-round. Because of high alkalinity in Lower Lake, fish cannot survive. The water levels in Middle Marsh fluctuate depending on the time of year.

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

How to get to Pahranagat NWR

Navigate

Destination: Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
37.25757, -115.11533
DMS
37°15′27.3″N 115°06′55.2″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Mesquite, NV66 mi NW of town
  • Las Vegas, NV75 mi N of town
  • St. George, UT85 mi W of town
  • Cedar City, UT116 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • LAS Las Vegas Harry Reid81 mi
  • FLG Flagstaff Pulliam241 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 Pahranagat NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

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

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:40 AM6:10 AM7:11 PM13h 01m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:51 AM6:21 AM6:50 PM12h 29m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM6:25 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM6:05 PM11h 18m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:34 AM6:04 AM4:44 PM10h 40m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:49 AM6:19 AM4:31 PM10h 13m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM4:24 PM9h 49m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM4:24 PM9h 37m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:24 AM6:54 AM4:32 PM9h 38m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:23 AM6:53 AM4:44 PM9h 52m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:14 AM6:44 AM5:03 PM10h 19m

Computed for 37.258, -115.115 (PDT / 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 Pahranagat NWR

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…

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…

Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules

How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…

HIP Certification Explained: The Harvest Information Program for Migratory Bird Hunters

What HIP is, who needs it, how to get certified in each state you hunt, and why your answers help set duck, goose and…

Pahranagat NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Pahranagat NWR?

Yes. Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (2,728 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl, 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 Pahranagat NWR?

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

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

Where is Pahranagat NWR located?

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is in Lincoln County, Nevada, about 66 miles NW of Mesquite, NV (straight-line). GPS: 37.25757, -115.11533.

What are legal shooting hours at Pahranagat 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

Desert National Wildlife Range

Clark County, NV · 33 mi SW

2 open1 special1 closed
🦌🐦🕊️

1.4M huntable acres

Moapa Valley NWR

Clark County, NV · 44 mi SE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Ash Meadows NWR

Nye County, NV · 89 mi SW

5 special1 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🐇

22.9K huntable acres

Havasu NWR

Mohave County, AZ · 185 mi S

9 special2 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

38.7K huntable acres

Ruby Lake NWR

Elko County, NV · 202 mi N

1 open2 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

8.6K huntable acres

Fish Springs NWR

Juab County, UT · 203 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

12.7K huntable acres

All refuges in Nevada →

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