National Wildlife Refuge · Minnesota · FWS Region 3

Rydell National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Rydell National Wildlife Refuge lies in Polk County, Minnesota, with about 2,040 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: 2 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 1,836 huntable acres.

2 with special regs1 closedYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
1.8Khuntable acres
2KFWS-owned acres
7game categories

Rydell 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 Rydell NWR

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, small game, and feral & exotic, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Beginning in fall 2020, Rydell National Wildlife Refuge will open to archery deer hunting on 1,378 acres (Hunt Unit A).

Youth hunting

A hunt is held each fall for 15 youth hunters.

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 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 (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 1,836 (90%)Closed: 203 (10%)1.8Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations1,836 ac 90%
  • Closed203 ac 10%
Units by size (acres)
Unit A
1,378 ac
Unit B
458 ac
Closed
203 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Unit A Special regs 1,378 — 🧒 A hunt is held each fall for 15 youth hunters.
Unit B Special regs 458 — 🧒 A hunt is held each fall for 15 youth hunters.
Closed Closed 203 — 🧒 A hunt is held each fall for 15 youth hunters.

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 Rydell NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

A fishing pier located on Tamarac Lake is open for fishing May 1-November 1. Available species include panfish, walleye, bass, northern pike, bullhead and carp. The pier can be accessed on foot or by bicycle (two miles from the visitor center).

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

How to get to Rydell NWR

Navigate

Destination: Rydell National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
47.65739, -96.10677
DMS
47°39′26.6″N 96°06′24.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Thief River Falls, MN32 mi S of town
  • Grand Forks, ND47 mi SE of town
  • Bemidji, MN59 mi W of town
  • Detroit Lakes, MN59 mi N of town

Closest airports

  • GFK Grand Forks Intl54 mi
  • FAR Fargo Hector Intl61 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 Rydell 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, 20266:11 AM6:41 AM8:07 PM13h 26m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM7:39 PM12h 39m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:51 AM7:21 AM7:06 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:11 AM7:41 AM6:38 PM10h 57m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:37 AM7:07 AM5:08 PM10h 02m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:58 AM7:28 AM4:49 PM9h 21m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:21 AM7:51 AM4:36 PM8h 45m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:35 AM8:05 AM4:33 PM8h 27m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:42 AM8:12 AM4:41 PM8h 29m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:38 AM8:08 AM4:57 PM8h 49m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:22 AM7:52 AM5:22 PM9h 31m

Computed for 47.657, -96.107 (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.

Rydell NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Rydell NWR?

Yes. Rydell National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (1,836 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 Rydell NWR?

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

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

Where is Rydell NWR located?

Rydell National Wildlife Refuge is in Polk County, Minnesota, about 32 miles S of Thief River Falls, MN (straight-line). GPS: 47.65739, -96.10677.

What are legal shooting hours at Rydell 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

Glacial Ridge NWR

Polk County, MN · 9.4 mi NW

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

17.4K huntable acres

Hamden Slough NWR

Becker County, MN · 47 mi S

3 special
🦌🦆

3.4K huntable acres

Agassiz NWR

Marshall County, MN · 48 mi N

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

58K huntable acres

Tamarac NWR

Becker County, MN · 52 mi SE

6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

42K huntable acres

Detroit Lakes WMD

Becker County, MN · 57 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

50.2K huntable acres

Kellys Slough NWR

Grand Forks County, ND · 59 mi W

1 closed
No hunting listed

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 September 29, 2026.