Hunt unit · Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
Waterfowl Closed Area - WI Hunt Unit Map & Access
The Waterfowl Closed Area - WI unit is one of 16 mapped hunt units on Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge in La Crosse County, WI. It covers approximately 26,409 acres and is listed as “open – special regulations apply” for 2026–2027. That means hunting is permitted, but refuge-specific rules — such as limited species, dates, weapon types, access methods or quota permits — apply on top of state regulations.
Waterfowl Closed Area - WI map
Rules & permits for this unit
Status: Open – special regulations apply
Hunting is allowed, but refuge-specific rules apply in addition to Minnesota regulations. Typical special regulations include limited species or seasons, quota/lottery permits, weapon restrictions (e.g. archery or shotgun only), shooting-hour limits, blind or stand rules and restricted access.
Game at Upper Mississippi River NWFR
Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.
Getting to the Waterfowl Closed Area - WI unit
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Destination: center of the Waterfowl Closed Area - WI unit
- Decimal
43.90650, -91.30526- DMS
43°54′23.4″N 91°18′18.9″W
Nearest towns
- La Crosse, WI8.0 mi NW of town
- Winona, MN19 mi SE of town
- Rochester, MN58 mi E of town
Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.
The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.
Shooting hours at this unit
Today at Waterfowl Closed Area - WI
*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
| Date | Shooting light | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | 5:57 AM | 6:27 AM | 7:43 PM | 13h 16m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:13 AM | 6:43 AM | 7:18 PM | 12h 35m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:31 AM | 7:01 AM | 6:48 PM | 11h 47m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 6:48 AM | 7:18 AM | 6:23 PM | 11h 05m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 6:10 AM | 6:40 AM | 4:57 PM | 10h 17m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:29 AM | 6:59 AM | 4:40 PM | 9h 42m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 6:49 AM | 7:19 AM | 4:29 PM | 9h 11m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 7:02 AM | 7:32 AM | 4:28 PM | 8h 56m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 7:09 AM | 7:39 AM | 4:36 PM | 8h 57m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 7:06 AM | 7:36 AM | 4:51 PM | 9h 15m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 6:53 AM | 7:23 AM | 5:13 PM | 9h 50m |
Computed for 43.907, -91.305 (CDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.
Weather forecast
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Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.
Other units at Upper Mississippi River NWFR
| Unit | Status | Acres | Permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesquaki Lake | !Special regs | 181 | — |
| No Entry Sanctuary - IA | !Special regs | 681 | — |
| No Entry Sanctuary - IL | !Special regs | 3,689 | — |
| Refuge - IA | !Special regs | 50,830 | — |
| Refuge - IL | !Special regs | 29,043 | — |
| Refuge - MN | !Special regs | 33,536 | — |
| Refuge - WI | !Special regs | 76,152 | — |
| Waterfowl Closed Area - IA | !Special regs | 11,391 | — |
| Waterfowl Closed Area - MN | !Special regs | 5,416 | — |
| Lost Mound | ✕Closed | 6,678 | — |
| No Entry Sanctuary - MN | ✕Closed | 697 | — |
| No Hunting Zone - IA | ✕Closed | 27 | — |
| No Hunting Zone - IL | ✕Closed | 1,184 | — |
| No Hunting Zone - MN | ✕Closed | 4.0 | — |
| No Hunting Zone - WI | ✕Closed | 653 | — |