Wetland Management District · North Dakota · FWS Region 6

Valley City Wetland Management District Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Valley City Wetland Management District is located in Barnes County, North Dakota, with about 19,525 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open under general rules, covering about 19,691 huntable acres.

1 open unit
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
19.7Khuntable acres
19.5KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Valley City WMD 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 Valley City WMD

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.

Valley City Wetland Management District offers a variety of hunting opportunities in five counties of east-central North Dakota, with 82 waterfowl production areas (WPAs) totaling 17,000 acres open to hunting.

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 North Dakota regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Open: 19,691 (100%)19.7Khuntable acres
  • Open19,691 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
WPA Open Open 19,691 —

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 North Dakota hunting license and any required tags or stamps — North Dakota Game and Fish Department
  • 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 Valley City WMD

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Fishing season is in accordance with state regulations. Fishing opportunities in the district are marginal but may include walleye, yellow perch and northern pike. There are no facilities for anglers, and vehicle access is limited to designated trails.

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

How to get to Valley City WMD

Navigate

Destination: Valley City Wetland Management District (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
46.95962, -98.02198
DMS
46°57′34.6″N 98°01′19.1″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Valley City, ND2.9 mi N of town
  • Jamestown, ND33 mi E of town
  • Fargo, ND58 mi W of town
  • Moorhead, MN59 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • FAR Fargo Hector Intl57 mi
  • GFK Grand Forks Intl79 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 Valley City WMD

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, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM8:14 PM13h 24m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM7:46 PM12h 38m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:59 AM7:29 AM7:14 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:18 AM7:48 AM6:47 PM10h 59m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM5:18 PM10h 05m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:04 AM7:34 AM4:59 PM9h 25m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:26 AM7:56 AM4:46 PM8h 50m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:40 AM8:10 AM4:43 PM8h 33m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:47 AM8:17 AM4:52 PM8h 35m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:43 AM8:13 AM5:07 PM8h 54m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:27 AM7:57 AM5:32 PM9h 35m

Computed for 46.960, -98.022 (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.

Valley City WMD FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Valley City WMD?

Yes. Valley City Wetland Management District offers hunting in 1 unit (19,691 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 Valley City WMD?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Valley City WMD. 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 Valley City WMD?

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

Where is Valley City WMD located?

Valley City Wetland Management District is in Barnes County, North Dakota, about 3 miles N of Valley City, ND (straight-line). GPS: 46.95962, -98.02198.

What are legal shooting hours at Valley City WMD?

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

Valley City NFH

Barnes County, ND · 0.4 mi NW

1 closed
🎣

Arrowwood NWR

Stutsman County, ND · 39 mi W

1 special1 closed
🦌🦃🐦🐇🎣

12.7K huntable acres

Arrowwood WMD

Stutsman County, ND · 45 mi NW

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

6.3K huntable acres

Chase Lake Prairie Project WMD

Stutsman County, ND · 59 mi W

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

40K huntable acres

Kulm WMD

LaMoure County, ND · 63 mi SW

1 open
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

45.1K huntable acres

Chase Lake NWR

Stutsman County, ND · 67 mi W

1 special
🦌

4.4K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in North Dakota →

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