National Wildlife Refuge · Minnesota · FWS Region 3

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Sherburne County, Minnesota, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 30,676 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 6 mapped hunt units: 3 open with special regulations and 3 closed, covering about 28,027 huntable acres.

3 with special regs3 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
6hunt units
28Khuntable acres
30.7KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Sherburne 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 Sherburne NWR

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.

The St. Francis River Valley is considered one of the finest natural areas in Minnesota. However, by the 1920s, a ditch system drained much of the land for agricultural production.

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 Minnesota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (6)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 28,027 (91%)Closed: 2,650 (9%)28Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations28,027 ac 91%
  • Closed2,650 ac 9%
Units by size (acres)
Area A
11,037 ac
Area B
9,528 ac
Area C
7,462 ac
Closed
1,701 ac
Special Hunt Area 2
760 ac
Special Hunt Area 1
189 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Area A Special regs 11,037 —
Area B Special regs 9,528 —
Area C Special regs 7,462 —
Closed Closed 1,701 —
Special Hunt Area 1 Closed 189 —
Special Hunt Area 2 Closed 760 —

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 Sherburne NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

From March 1 to August 31, fishing is allowed only from non-motorized boats on the St. Francis River canoe route and on the banks within 100 yards up or downstream of the designated fishing access points specified on our Public Use Regulations Brochure.

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

How to get to Sherburne NWR

Navigate

Destination: Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
45.49082, -93.72168
DMS
45°29′27.0″N 93°43′18.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • St. Cloud, MN22 mi E of town
  • Minneapolis, MN42 mi NW of town
  • Litchfield, MN47 mi NE of town
  • St. Paul, MN48 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • MSP Minneapolis–St. Paul49 mi
  • DLH Duluth Intl119 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 Sherburne 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, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM7:55 PM13h 20m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:21 AM6:51 AM7:28 PM12h 37m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM6:57 PM11h 46m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM6:31 PM11h 02m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM5:03 PM10h 11m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM4:46 PM9h 33m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:04 AM7:34 AM4:34 PM9h 00m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:17 AM7:47 AM4:32 PM8h 44m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:24 AM7:54 AM4:40 PM8h 46m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:21 AM7:51 AM4:55 PM9h 04m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:06 AM7:36 AM5:19 PM9h 42m

Computed for 45.491, -93.722 (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.

Sherburne NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Sherburne NWR?

Yes. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (28,027 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 Sherburne NWR?

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

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

Where is Sherburne NWR located?

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is in Sherburne County, Minnesota, about 22 miles E of St. Cloud, MN (straight-line). GPS: 45.49082, -93.72168.

What are legal shooting hours at Sherburne 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

Crane Meadows NWR

Morrison County, MN · 40 mi NW

1 open2 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇

2.2K huntable acres

Mille Lacs NWR

Mille Lacs County, MN · 48 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Litchfield WMD

Meeker County, MN · 49 mi SW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

38.6K huntable acres

Minnesota Valley NWR

Hennepin County, MN · 50 mi SE

12 special5 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

12.6K huntable acres

St. Croix WMD

St. Croix County, WI · 60 mi SE

1 open1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

8.9K huntable acres

Rice Lake NWR

Aitkin County, MN · 74 mi N

1 special2 closed
🦌🐦🕊️🐇🎣

10.4K huntable acres

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.