National Wildlife Refuge · California · FWS Region 8

San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge lies in Stanislaus County, California, with about 7,517 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
7.5KFWS-owned acres
0game categories

San Joaquin River 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 Joaquin River 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.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Closed: 7,521 (100%)0huntable acres
  • Closed7,521 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Station Closed 7,521 —

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 Joaquin River NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for San Joaquin River NWR.

How to get to San Joaquin River NWR

Navigate

Destination: San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
37.65236, -121.17954
DMS
37°39′08.5″N 121°10′46.3″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Modesto, CA10 mi W of town
  • Stockton, CA22 mi S of town
  • San Jose, CA45 mi NE of town
  • Los Banos, CA45 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • SJC San Jose Mineta46 mi
  • SFO San Francisco Intl66 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 Joaquin River 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, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM7:36 PM13h 02m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM7:14 PM12h 29m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM6:49 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM6:28 PM11h 17m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:58 AM6:28 AM5:07 PM10h 39m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM4:55 PM10h 11m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM4:47 PM9h 47m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM4:47 PM9h 35m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:49 AM7:19 AM4:55 PM9h 36m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:48 AM7:18 AM5:08 PM9h 50m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:39 AM7:09 AM5:26 PM10h 18m

Computed for 37.652, -121.180 (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 Joaquin River NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at San Joaquin River NWR?

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

Do I need a permit to hunt San Joaquin River NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for San Joaquin River NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is San Joaquin River NWR located?

San Joaquin River National Wildlife Refuge is in Stanislaus County, California, about 10 miles W of Modesto, CA (straight-line). GPS: 37.65236, -121.17954.

What are legal shooting hours at San Joaquin River 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

Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area

Stanislaus County, CA · 0.8 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

San Luis NWR

Merced County, CA · 30 mi SE

6 special1 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🎣

10.1K huntable acres

Grasslands Wildlife Management Area

Merced County, CA · 38 mi SE

6 special1 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🎣

3K huntable acres

Antioch Dunes NWR

Contra Costa County, CA · 42 mi NW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Merced NWR

Merced County, CA · 45 mi SE

2 special1 closed
🦆🕊️

1.9K huntable acres

Don Edwards San Francisco Bay NWR

Alameda County, CA · 49 mi W

12 open8 special1 closed
🦆🎣

10.4K huntable acres

All refuges in California →

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