National Wildlife Refuge · Minnesota · FWS Region 3

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge is located in Becker County, Minnesota, with about 42,418 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 7 mapped hunt units: 6 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 42,008 huntable acres.

6 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
7hunt units
42Khuntable acres
42.4KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Tamarac 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 Tamarac 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.

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge is managed for mixed stands of coniferous and deciduous trees in various classes. These mixed-age stands offer various habitat conditions favorable for ruffed grouse.

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 (7)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 42,008 (97%)Closed: 1,331 (3%)42Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations42,008 ac 97%
  • Closed1,331 ac 3%
Units by size (acres)
A
21,104 ac
D
11,539 ac
C
5,614 ac
B
2,392 ac
Closed
1,331 ac
F
1,077 ac
E
282 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
A Special regs 21,104 —
B Special regs 2,392 —
C Special regs 5,614 —
D Special regs 11,539 —
E Special regs 282 —
F Special regs 1,077 —
Closed Closed 1,331 —

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 Tamarac NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing is permitted according to state, federal and White Earth Reservation regulations. Available species include walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill.

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

How to get to Tamarac NWR

Navigate

Destination: Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

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Decimal
46.98225, -95.61874
DMS
46°58′56.1″N 95°37′07.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Detroit Lakes, MN16 mi NE of town
  • Bemidji, MN48 mi SW of town
  • Fergus Falls, MN53 mi NE of town
  • Moorhead, MN55 mi E of town

Closest airports

  • FAR Fargo Hector Intl57 mi
  • GFK Grand Forks Intl99 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 Tamarac 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, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM8:05 PM13h 24m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM7:37 PM12h 39m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM7:04 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:08 AM7:38 AM6:37 PM10h 59m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM5:08 PM10h 05m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:54 AM7:24 AM4:49 PM9h 25m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:16 AM7:46 AM4:36 PM8h 50m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:31 AM8:01 AM4:34 PM8h 33m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:38 AM8:08 AM4:42 PM8h 35m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:34 AM8:04 AM4:58 PM8h 54m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:18 AM7:48 AM5:22 PM9h 34m

Computed for 46.982, -95.619 (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.

Tamarac NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Tamarac NWR?

Yes. Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 6 units (42,008 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 Tamarac NWR?

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

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

Where is Tamarac NWR located?

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge is in Becker County, Minnesota, about 16 miles NE of Detroit Lakes, MN (straight-line). GPS: 46.98225, -95.61874.

What are legal shooting hours at Tamarac 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

Detroit Lakes WMD

Becker County, MN · 14 mi SW

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

50.2K huntable acres

Hamden Slough NWR

Becker County, MN · 17 mi W

3 special
🦌🦆

3.4K huntable acres

Rydell NWR

Polk County, MN · 52 mi NW

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

1.8K huntable acres

Fergus Falls WMD

Otter Tail County, MN · 55 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

49.4K huntable acres

Glacial Ridge NWR

Polk County, MN · 59 mi NW

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗

17.4K huntable acres

Morris WMD

Stevens County, MN · 95 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

56.6K 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.