National Wildlife Refuge · Wisconsin · FWS Region 3

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 6,929 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its lands extend into Minnesota. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules and 1 open with special regulations, covering about 6,938 huntable acres.

1 open unit1 with special regsPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
6.9Khuntable acres
6.9KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Trempealeau 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 Trempealeau NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game here, 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.

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge is nestled along the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin. The 6,446-acre refuge lies within the Mississippi Flyway.

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 Wisconsin regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Open: 594 (9%)Special regulations: 6,344 (91%)6.9Khuntable acres
  • Open594 ac 9%
  • Special regulations6,344 ac 91%
Units by size (acres)
South Zone
6,344 ac
North Zone
594 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
North Zone Open 594 Required
Special Use Permit		 Hunting in the South zone requires a special use permit.
South Zone Special regs 6,344 Required
Special Use Permit		 Hunting in the South zone requires a special use permit.

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Hunting in the South zone requires a special use permit.

Type: Special Use Permit

How to get it:

  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Wisconsin hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Wisconsin 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 Trempealeau NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Available species include bullhead, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. Ice fishing is permitted in season. Boat fishing is permitted the first Saturday in May until freeze-up, electric motors only.

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

How to get to Trempealeau NWR

Navigate

Destination: Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
44.04982, -91.54316
DMS
44°02′59.4″N 91°32′35.4″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Winona, MN4.8 mi E of town
  • La Crosse, WI23 mi NW of town
  • Rochester, MN46 mi E of town
  • Eau Claire, WI53 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • MSP Minneapolis–St. Paul101 mi
  • MSN Madison Dane County127 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 Trempealeau 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, 20265:58 AM6:28 AM7:44 PM13h 17m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:13 AM6:43 AM7:19 PM12h 35m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:32 AM7:02 AM6:49 PM11h 47m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM6:24 PM11h 05m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:11 AM6:41 AM4:58 PM10h 17m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:30 AM7:00 AM4:41 PM9h 41m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:50 AM7:20 AM4:30 PM9h 10m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:03 AM7:33 AM4:28 PM8h 55m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:10 AM7:40 AM4:37 PM8h 56m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:07 AM7:37 AM4:51 PM9h 14m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:54 AM7:24 AM5:14 PM9h 50m

Computed for 44.050, -91.543 (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.

Trempealeau NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Trempealeau NWR?

Yes. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 2 units (6,938 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 Trempealeau NWR?

Yes — Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Special Use Permit. Permits can be obtained visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Trempealeau NWR?

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

Where is Trempealeau NWR located?

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge is in Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, about 5 miles E of Winona, MN (straight-line). GPS: 44.04982, -91.54316.

What are legal shooting hours at Trempealeau 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

Upper Mississippi River NWFR

Houston County, MN · 37 mi SE

10 special6 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

237K huntable acres

Genoa NFH

Vernon County, WI · 40 mi SE

1 closed
🎣

Necedah NWR

Juneau County, WI · 68 mi E

1 open1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

39.1K huntable acres

Driftless Area NWR

Clayton County, IA · 77 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

798 huntable acres

St. Croix WMD

St. Croix County, WI · 91 mi NW

1 open1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

8.9K huntable acres

Minnesota Valley NWR

Hennepin County, MN · 100 mi NW

12 special5 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🐗🎣

12.6K huntable acres

All refuges in Wisconsin →

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