National Wildlife Refuge · Nevada · FWS Region 8

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies in Elko County, Nevada, with about 40,079 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 and 2 closed, covering about 8,592 huntable acres.

1 open unit2 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
8.6Khuntable acres
40.1KFWS-owned acres
2game categories

Ruby Lake 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 Ruby Lake NWR

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

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which supports one of the largest populations of nesting canvasback ducks in the West, is a vital waterfowl nesting area. In the fall, it is also a prime spot for Nevada waterfowlers.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane

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

Hunt units (3)

Acreage by status
Open: 8,592 (21%)Closed: 31,486 (79%)8.6Khuntable acres
  • Open8,592 ac 21%
  • Closed31,486 ac 79%
Units by size (acres)
North Marsh
19,752 ac
South Marsh Closed
11,735 ac
South Marsh Open
8,592 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
South Marsh Open
Show on map · Directions		 Open 8,592 —
North Marsh
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 19,752 —
South Marsh Closed
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 11,735 —

Ruby Lake NWR by the numbers

With about 8,592 huntable acres, Ruby Lake NWR ranks #6 of 7 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Nevada and #214 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 21% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is South Marsh Open (8,592 acres).

2 units totaling 31,486 acres are closed to hunting (North Marsh and South Marsh Closed). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

When to hunt Ruby Lake 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, Migratory Birds
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split

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 Ruby Lake NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Refuge waters include South Marsh; the Collection Ditch; Units 10, 13, 14, 20 and 21; Gravel Pit Pond; Willow Pond; North County Line Pond; and Hidden Springs Pond.

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

How to get to Ruby Lake NWR

Navigate

Destination: Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
40.17300, -115.46954
DMS
40°10′22.8″N 115°28′10.3″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Elko, NV48 mi S of town
  • Ely, NV71 mi NW of town
  • Winnemucca, NV131 mi SE of town
  • Delta, UT164 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • TWF Magic Valley (Twin Falls)167 mi
  • SLC Salt Lake City Intl188 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 Ruby Lake 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, 20265:38 AM6:08 AM7:15 PM13h 07m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:51 AM6:21 AM6:52 PM12h 31m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:06 AM6:36 AM6:26 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM6:03 PM11h 13m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:40 AM6:10 AM4:40 PM10h 31m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:56 AM6:26 AM4:26 PM9h 60m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM4:17 PM9h 33m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM4:17 PM9h 20m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:33 AM7:03 AM4:25 PM9h 22m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:32 AM7:02 AM4:38 PM9h 36m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:21 AM6:51 AM4:58 PM10h 07m

Computed for 40.173, -115.470 (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 Ruby Lake 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…

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…

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…

Ruby Lake NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Ruby Lake NWR?

Yes. Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (8,592 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Ruby Lake NWR?

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

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

Where is Ruby Lake NWR located?

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge is in Elko County, Nevada, about 48 miles S of Elko, NV (straight-line). GPS: 40.17300, -115.46954.

What are legal shooting hours at Ruby Lake 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

Fish Springs NWR

Juab County, UT · 113 mi E

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

12.7K huntable acres

Stillwater NWR

Churchill County, NV · 162 mi W

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

53.9K huntable acres

Fallon NWR

Churchill County, NV · 170 mi W

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

18.1K huntable acres

Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Box Elder County, UT · 187 mi NE

2 special1 closed
🦆🐦🎣

30.2K huntable acres

Pahranagat NWR

Lincoln County, NV · 202 mi S

3 special4 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

2.7K huntable acres

Minidoka NWR

Blaine County, ID · 203 mi NE

1 open5 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

5.5K huntable acres

All refuges in Nevada →

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