National Wildlife Refuge · California · FWS Region 8

San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in San Diego County, California, San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 411 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season, all 1 mapped hunt unit are listed as closed to hunting.

1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official website ↗
1hunt units
0huntable acres
411FWS-owned acres
0game categories

San Diego Bay 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 San Diego Bay NWR

  • Big Game
  • Waterfowl
  • Wild Turkey
  • Upland Birds
  • Migratory Birds
  • Small Game
  • Feral & Exotic
  • Fishing

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not list any hunting opportunities for this station. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Closed: 2,637 (100%)0huntable acres
  • Closed2,637 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
San Diego Bay NWR Closed 2,637 —

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 California hunting license and any required tags or stamps — California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at San Diego Bay NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing

In the heart of San Diego's urban landscape lies an oasis for fish, migratory birds and endangered species, San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

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

How to get to San Diego Bay NWR

Navigate

Destination: San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
32.59981, -117.10729
DMS
32°35′59.3″N 117°06′26.2″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • San Diego, CA8.9 mi S of town
  • Palm Springs, CA91 mi S of town
  • El Centro, CA91 mi W of town
  • Los Angeles, CA120 mi SE of town

Closest airports

  • SAN San Diego Intl10 mi
  • PSP Palm Springs Intl92 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 San Diego Bay 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, 20265:52 AM6:22 AM7:14 PM12h 52m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM6:56 PM12h 25m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:11 AM6:41 AM6:34 PM11h 53m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM6:16 PM11h 26m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:35 AM6:05 AM4:58 PM10h 54m
Sun, Nov 15, 20265:47 AM6:17 AM4:48 PM10h 31m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM4:43 PM10h 11m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM4:44 PM10h 02m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:20 AM6:50 AM4:52 PM10h 03m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:20 AM6:50 AM5:03 PM10h 13m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:13 AM6:43 AM5:19 PM10h 36m

Computed for 32.600, -117.107 (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.

San Diego Bay NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at San Diego Bay NWR?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not currently list hunting opportunities at San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. All mapped units are closed to hunting.

Do I need a permit to hunt San Diego Bay NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for San Diego Bay 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 San Diego Bay NWR?

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

Where is San Diego Bay NWR located?

San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge is in San Diego County, California, about 9 miles S of San Diego, CA (straight-line). GPS: 32.59981, -117.10729.

What are legal shooting hours at San Diego Bay 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

Tijuana Slough NWR

San Diego County, CA · 3.1 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

San Diego NWR

San Diego County, CA · 10 mi NE

1 open1 closed
🦌🐦🕊️🐇

161 huntable acres

Sonny Bono Salton Sea NWR

Imperial County, CA · 91 mi NE

2 special3 closed
🦆🎣

827 huntable acres

Coachella Valley NWR

Riverside County, CA · 94 mi NE

1 closed
No hunting listed

Seal Beach NWR

Orange County, CA · 97 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Imperial NWR

La Paz County, AZ · 146 mi E

2 special2 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

22.4K huntable acres

All refuges in California →

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