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

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.

Hunting at Sand Lake WMD

• 🦌 Big Game
• 🦆 Waterfowl
• 🦃 Wild Turkey
• 🐦 Upland Birds
• 🕊️ Migratory Birds
• 🐇 Small Game
• 🐗 Feral & Exotic
• 🎣 Fishing

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.

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)

When to hunt Sand Lake WMD

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. South Dakota 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.

Permits & licenses

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

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

7-day hunting weather

Waterfowl Production Areas managed by Sand Lake WMD

This district manages 157 named WPAs totaling 44,460 acres of walk-in public land. The largest are listed below; each links to its county guide with a satellite map and directions.

Showing the 25 largest of 157. All tracts are on the map above and in the KML download.

Guides for hunting Sand Lake WMD

Sand Lake WMD FAQ

Nearby refuges & public land

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

• Dennert WPA 50 ac · 4.5 mi S
• Heis WPA 33 ac · 8.2 mi N
• Maunu WPA 135 ac · 13 mi N
• North Sand Lake WPA 158 ac · 13 mi NE
• Engle Dam WPA 145 ac · 13 mi N
• Wanttie WPA 78 ac · 14 mi N

All refuges in South Dakota →