National Wildlife Refuge · Oregon · FWS Region 8

Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Klamath County, Oregon, Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 25,131 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 under general rules and 1 closed, covering about 16,399 huntable acres.

1 open unit1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
16.4Khuntable acres
25.1KFWS-owned acres
2game categories

Upper Klamath 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 Upper Klamath NWR

Hunting opportunities include waterfowl and migratory birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

More than 80 percent of the wetlands in the Klamath Basin have been lost, making refuges like Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge vital for migrating waterfowl.

WaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill crane

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

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Open: 16,399 (65%)Closed: 8,731 (35%)16.4Khuntable acres
  • Open16,399 ac 65%
  • Closed8,731 ac 35%
Units by size (acres)
Waterfowl Hunting
16,399 ac
Closed to all Hunting
8,731 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Waterfowl Hunting Open 16,399 —
Closed to all Hunting Closed 8,731 —

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 Oregon hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Oregon 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 Upper Klamath NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Recreational fishing is allowed by boat on Upper Klamath Lake at Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. All fishing is permitted according to state and federal regulations. Access to the fishing areas is from nearby marinas.

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

How to get to Upper Klamath NWR

Navigate

Destination: Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
42.54240, -122.03291
DMS
42°32′32.6″N 122°01′58.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Klamath Falls, OR26 mi NW of town
  • Medford, OR45 mi E of town
  • Tulelake, CA49 mi NW of town
  • Lakeview, OR89 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • MFR Rogue Valley–Medford44 mi
  • EUG Eugene Airport124 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 Upper Klamath 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, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM7:44 PM13h 13m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:16 AM6:46 AM7:20 PM12h 34m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM6:51 PM11h 48m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM6:27 PM11h 08m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:10 AM6:40 AM5:02 PM10h 22m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM4:47 PM9h 49m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:47 AM7:17 AM4:36 PM9h 19m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:00 AM7:30 AM4:35 PM9h 05m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:07 AM7:37 AM4:44 PM9h 07m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:05 AM7:35 AM4:58 PM9h 23m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:52 AM7:22 AM5:19 PM9h 57m

Computed for 42.542, -122.033 (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.

Upper Klamath NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Upper Klamath NWR?

Yes. Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (16,399 acres) during 2026–2027 for waterfowl and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Upper Klamath NWR?

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

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

Where is Upper Klamath NWR located?

Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is in Klamath County, Oregon, about 26 miles NW of Klamath Falls, OR (straight-line). GPS: 42.54240, -122.03291.

What are legal shooting hours at Upper Klamath 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

Klamath Marsh NWR

Klamath County, OR · 28 mi NE

1 open1 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

11.7K huntable acres

Bear Valley NWR

Klamath County, OR · 34 mi S

1 special
🦌

4.2K huntable acres

Lower Klamath NWR

Siskiyou County, CA · 43 mi S

3 special2 closed
🦆🐦🕊️

31.3K huntable acres

Tule Lake NWR

Siskiyou County, CA · 53 mi SE

3 special1 closed
🦆🐦🕊️

20.4K huntable acres

Clear Lake NWR

Modoc County, CA · 66 mi SE

1 open1 special1 closed
🦌🦆🕊️

10K huntable acres

Modoc NWR

Modoc County, CA · 108 mi SE

2 special3 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🎣

2.3K huntable acres

All refuges in Oregon →

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