National Wildlife Refuge · Rhode Island · FWS Region 5

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Washington County, Rhode Island, Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 663 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 1 open under general rules, 2 open with special regulations, and 1 closed, covering about 368 huntable acres.

1 open unit2 with special regs1 closedYouth hunts
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
368huntable acres
663FWS-owned acres
5game categories

Trustom Pond 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 Trustom Pond NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, migratory birds, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing. Special youth hunting opportunities are offered.

Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but it has a large population of resident Canada geese. These may be hunted during state seasons on a section of Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge called Field 1 by the state of Rhode Island.

Youth hunting

State youth hunting days are observed by the refuge.

All refuges with youth hunts →
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 turkeyMigratory 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 Rhode Island regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (4)

Acreage by status
Open: 22 (3%)Special regulations: 346 (52%)Closed: 295 (44%)368huntable acres
  • Open22 ac 3%
  • Special regulations346 ac 52%
  • Closed295 ac 44%
Units by size (acres)
Trustom
316 ac
Closed to Hunting
295 ac
Cards Pond
30 ac
Field 1
22 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Field 1 Open 22 — 🧒 State youth hunting days are observed by the refuge.
Cards Pond Special regs 30 — 🧒 State youth hunting days are observed by the refuge.
Trustom Special regs 316 — 🧒 State youth hunting days are observed by the refuge.
Closed to Hunting Closed 295 — 🧒 State youth hunting days are observed by the refuge.

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 Rhode Island hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Rhode Island DEM Fish & 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 Trustom Pond NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Many anglers come to the shoreline of Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge to enjoy the tranquility and to catch striped bass and other saltwater species.

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

How to get to Trustom Pond NWR

Navigate

Destination: Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
41.37611, -71.58410
DMS
41°22′34.0″N 71°35′02.8″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Westerly, RI13 mi E of town
  • Newport, RI16 mi SW of town
  • New London, CT27 mi E of town
  • Providence, RI32 mi S of town

Closest airports

  • PVD Providence T.F. Green25 mi
  • BDL Hartford Bradley69 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 Trustom Pond NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in New York local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20265:41 AM6:11 AM7:21 PM13h 10m
Tue, Sep 15, 20265:55 AM6:25 AM6:57 PM12h 33m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:11 AM6:41 AM6:30 PM11h 49m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM6:07 PM11h 11m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:46 AM6:16 AM4:43 PM10h 26m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM4:28 PM9h 54m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM4:18 PM9h 26m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:35 AM7:05 AM4:17 PM9h 13m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:42 AM7:12 AM4:26 PM9h 14m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:40 AM7:10 AM4:39 PM9h 30m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:28 AM6:58 AM5:00 PM10h 02m

Computed for 41.376, -71.584 (EDT / 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.

Trustom Pond NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Trustom Pond NWR?

Yes. Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (368 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, 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 Trustom Pond NWR?

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

Yes. Fishing is permitted (tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Trustom Pond NWR located?

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge is in Washington County, Rhode Island, about 13 miles E of Westerly, RI (straight-line). GPS: 41.37611, -71.58410.

What are legal shooting hours at Trustom Pond 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

Ninigret NWR

Washington County, RI · 4.4 mi W

2 open2 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐇🎣

852 huntable acres

John H. Chafee NWR

Washington County, RI · 7.8 mi NE

6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🎣

440 huntable acres

Block Island NWR

RI · 10 mi S

2 open3 special
🦌🦆🎣

129 huntable acres

Sachuest Point NWR

Newport County, RI · 19 mi NE

1 special1 closed
🦌🐇🎣

141 huntable acres

Amagansett NWR

Suffolk County, NY · 40 mi SW

1 closed
🎣

Nomans Land Island NWR

MA · 41 mi E

1 closed
No hunting listed

All refuges in Rhode Island →

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