Wetland Management District · South Dakota · FWS Region 6

Sand Lake Wetland Management District Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Sand Lake Wetland Management District is located in Brown County, South Dakota, with about 44,460 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its lands extend into North Dakota. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open under general rules, covering about 44,493 huntable acres.

1 open unit
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
44.5Khuntable acres
44.5KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Sand Lake WMD 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 Sand Lake WMD

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

Including portions of eight counties, Sand Lake Wetland Management District covers more area than any other wetland management district in the country.

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 mammals

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

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Open: 44,493 (100%)44.5Khuntable acres
  • Open44,493 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
WPA Open Open 44,493 —

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 South Dakota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks
  • 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 Sand Lake WMD

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

The wetland management district staff manages 162 waterfowl production areas totaling 45,000 acres.

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

How to get to Sand Lake WMD

Navigate

Destination: Sand Lake Wetland Management District (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
45.72502, -98.30206
DMS
45°43′30.1″N 98°18′07.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Aberdeen, SD20 mi NE of town
  • Watertown, SD81 mi NW of town
  • Valley City, ND84 mi S of town
  • Jamestown, ND84 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • ABR Aberdeen Regional20 mi
  • FAR Fargo Hector Intl109 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 Sand Lake WMD

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, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM8:14 PM13h 21m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM7:47 PM12h 37m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM7:15 PM11h 46m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:18 AM7:48 AM6:49 PM11h 02m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM5:21 PM10h 10m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:02 AM7:32 AM5:04 PM9h 32m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:23 AM7:53 AM4:51 PM8h 59m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:36 AM8:06 AM4:49 PM8h 43m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:43 AM8:13 AM4:58 PM8h 44m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:40 AM8:10 AM5:13 PM9h 03m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:25 AM7:55 AM5:36 PM9h 41m

Computed for 45.725, -98.302 (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.

Sand Lake WMD FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Sand Lake WMD?

Yes. Sand Lake Wetland Management District offers hunting in 1 unit (44,493 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, 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 Sand Lake WMD?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Sand Lake WMD. 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 Sand Lake WMD?

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

Where is Sand Lake WMD located?

Sand Lake Wetland Management District is in Brown County, South Dakota, about 20 miles NE of Aberdeen, SD (straight-line). GPS: 45.72502, -98.30206.

What are legal shooting hours at Sand Lake WMD?

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

Sand Lake NWR

Brown County, SD · 5.1 mi NE

2 special1 closed
🦌🐦🎣

19.5K huntable acres

Tewaukon NWR

Sargent County, ND · 48 mi NE

3 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

6.9K huntable acres

Tewaukon WMD

Sargent County, ND · 49 mi NE

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

16K huntable acres

Kulm WMD

LaMoure County, ND · 51 mi NW

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

45.1K huntable acres

Waubay NWR

Day County, SD · 51 mi SE

1 open1 closed
🦌🎣

4.6K huntable acres

Waubay WMD

Day County, SD · 52 mi SE

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

41.1K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in South Dakota →

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