National Wildlife Refuge · California · FWS Region 8

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is located in Sacramento County, California, with about 2,351 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 174 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closedPermit requiredYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
174huntable acres
2.4KFWS-owned acres
1game categories

Stone Lakes 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 Stone Lakes NWR

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

Permitted hunting categories are waterfowl, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge opened its Sun River Unit for hunting duck, goose, coot and moorhen in 2005, and hunters have responded enthusiastically.

Youth hunting

Two blinds are available for youth hunters. In addition there is a post season youth hunt.

All refuges with youth hunts →
WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and coots

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

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 174 (3%)Closed: 6,337 (97%)174huntable acres
  • Special regulations174 ac 3%
  • Closed6,337 ac 97%
Units by size (acres)
Closed
6,337 ac
Sun River Unit
174 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Sun River Unit
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 174 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Waterfowl Hunting, permit is acquired through mail or Visitor Center.
🧒 Two blinds are available for youth hunters. In addition there is a post season youth hunt.
Closed
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 6,337 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Waterfowl Hunting, permit is acquired through mail or Visitor Center.
🧒 Two blinds are available for youth hunters. In addition there is a post season youth hunt.

Stone Lakes NWR by the numbers

With about 174 huntable acres, Stone Lakes NWR ranks #19 of 21 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in California and #399 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 3% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Sun River Unit (174 acres, special regulations). Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 6,337 acres is closed to hunting (Closed). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 2,351 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 1,534 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Stone Lakes NWR

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

Typical season windows — Waterfowl
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Waterfowl Hunting, permit is acquired through mail or Visitor Center.

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit

How to get it:

  • ✉️ By mail
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid California hunting license and any required tags or stamps — California Department of Fish and Wildlife
  • 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 Stone Lakes NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Recreational fishing is allowed by boat on Snodgrass Slough at Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. All fishing is permitted according to state and federal regulations. Access to the fishing areas is from nearby marina.

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

How to get to Stone Lakes NWR

Navigate

Destination: Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
38.38028, -121.49503
DMS
38°22′49.0″N 121°29′42.1″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Sacramento, CA14 mi S of town
  • Stockton, CA31 mi N of town
  • Yuba City, CA53 mi S of town
  • Modesto, CA58 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • SMF Sacramento Intl23 mi
  • SFO San Francisco Intl71 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 Stone Lakes 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 AM7:38 PM13h 04m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM7:16 PM12h 30m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM6:50 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM6:29 PM11h 16m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM5:07 PM10h 37m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM4:54 PM10h 08m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM4:46 PM9h 43m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM4:46 PM9h 31m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:52 AM7:22 AM4:54 PM9h 32m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:51 AM7:21 AM5:07 PM9h 46m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:41 AM7:11 AM5:26 PM10h 15m

Computed for 38.380, -121.495 (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.

Guides for hunting Stone Lakes NWR

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Fishing National Wildlife Refuges: Licenses, Seasons, Boats and Where to Go

What to know before fishing a National Wildlife Refuge or fish hatchery — state licenses, seasonal closures that…

Refuge Hunting Permits: Types, Lotteries & How to Apply

Signed brochures, quota permits, special use permits and where to get them — online, kiosk, mail or visitor center.

How to Read a Refuge Hunt Brochure (and Not Miss the Rule That Matters)

What's inside a National Wildlife Refuge hunt brochure, where to find it, how it relates to 50 CFR Part 32 and state…

Stone Lakes NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Stone Lakes NWR?

Yes. Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (174 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Stone Lakes NWR?

Yes — Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Permits can be obtained mail or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Stone Lakes NWR?

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

Where is Stone Lakes NWR located?

Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge is in Sacramento County, California, about 14 miles S of Sacramento, CA (straight-line). GPS: 38.38028, -121.49503.

What are legal shooting hours at Stone Lakes 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

Antioch Dunes NWR

Contra Costa County, CA · 30 mi SW

1 closed
No hunting listed

Sutter NWR

Sutter County, CA · 50 mi N

3 special1 closed
🦆🦃🐦🕊️

1.2K huntable acres

San Pablo Bay NWR

Sonoma County, CA · 52 mi W

2 open3 special12 closed
🦆🐦🎣

10.4K huntable acres

Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area

Stanislaus County, CA · 52 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

San Joaquin River NWR

Stanislaus County, CA · 53 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

Marin Islands NWR

Marin County, CA · 60 mi SW

1 closed
🎣

All refuges in California →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.