Tualatin River NWR
Washington County, OR · 14 mi E
!1 special✕1 closed
🦆🕊️
232 huntable acres
Wapato Lake 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
Hunting at Wapato Lake NWR
-
Big Game - Waterfowl
-
Wild Turkey -
Upland Birds - Migratory Birds
-
Small Game -
Feral & Exotic -
Fishing
Hunting opportunities include waterfowl and migratory birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules.
Waterfowl hunting at the refuge began in the 2020-21 season, and provides waterfowl hunters with an opportunity that is easily accessible from the Portland metropolitan area.
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)
- Special regulations270 ac 29%
- Closed658 ac 71%
| Unit | Status | Acres | Permit | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open Area Show on map · Directions |
!Special regs | 270 | — | |
| Closed Area Show on map · Directions |
✕Closed | 658 | — |
Wapato Lake NWR by the numbers
With about 270 huntable acres, Wapato Lake NWR ranks #13 of 16 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Oregon and #391 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 29% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.
The largest huntable unit is Open Area (270 acres, special regulations).
1 unit totaling 658 acres is closed to hunting (Closed Area). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.
Besides 928 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 33 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.
When to hunt Wapato Lake NWR
Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Oregon sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦆 Waterfowl
🕊️ Migratory Birds
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 Wapato Lake NWR
USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Wapato Lake NWR.
How to get to Wapato Lake NWR
Navigate
Destination: Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)
- Decimal
45.42125, -123.12481- DMS
45°25′16.5″N 123°07′29.3″W
Nearest towns
- Portland, OR23 mi W of town
- Vancouver, WA27 mi SW of town
- Salem, OR34 mi N of town
- Tillamook, OR35 mi E of town
Closest airports
- PDX Portland Intl28 mi
- EUG Eugene Airport90 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 Wapato Lake 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
| Date | Shooting light | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Sep 1, 2026 | 6:02 AM | 6:32 AM | 7:52 PM | 13h 20m |
| Tue, Sep 15, 2026 | 6:19 AM | 6:49 AM | 7:26 PM | 12h 37m |
| Thu, Oct 1, 2026 | 6:38 AM | 7:08 AM | 6:55 PM | 11h 46m |
| Thu, Oct 15, 2026 | 6:56 AM | 7:26 AM | 6:29 PM | 11h 02m |
| Sun, Nov 1, 2026 | 6:20 AM | 6:50 AM | 5:01 PM | 10h 11m |
| Sun, Nov 15, 2026 | 6:40 AM | 7:10 AM | 4:44 PM | 9h 34m |
| Tue, Dec 1, 2026 | 7:01 AM | 7:31 AM | 4:32 PM | 9h 01m |
| Tue, Dec 15, 2026 | 7:15 AM | 7:45 AM | 4:30 PM | 8h 45m |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 | 7:22 AM | 7:52 AM | 4:38 PM | 8h 47m |
| Fri, Jan 15, 2027 | 7:18 AM | 7:48 AM | 4:53 PM | 9h 05m |
| Mon, Feb 1, 2027 | 7:04 AM | 7:34 AM | 5:17 PM | 9h 43m |
Computed for 45.421, -123.125 (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.
Guides for hunting Wapato Lake NWR
Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work
How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…
Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes
Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…
Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters
Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…
Dove Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Managed Fields, Openers and Rules
How dove hunting works on National Wildlife Refuges — managed fields and draw days, HIP and plugged-gun rules…
HIP Certification Explained: The Harvest Information Program for Migratory Bird Hunters
What HIP is, who needs it, how to get certified in each state you hunt, and why your answers help set duck, goose and…
How to Read a Refuge Hunt Brochure (and Not Miss the Rule That Matters)
What's inside a National Wildlife Refuge hunt brochure, where to find it, how it relates to 50 CFR Part 32 and state…
Wapato Lake NWR FAQ
Is hunting allowed at Wapato Lake NWR?
Yes. Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (270 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 Wapato Lake NWR?
FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Wapato Lake NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.
Where is Wapato Lake NWR located?
Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge is in Washington County, Oregon, about 23 miles W of Portland, OR (straight-line). GPS: 45.42125, -123.12481.
What are legal shooting hours at Wapato Lake 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
Ridgefield NWR
Clark County, WA · 31 mi NE
!1 special✕5 closed
🦆🕊️🎣
920 huntable acres
Baskett Slough NWR
Polk County, OR · 32 mi S
!2 special✕1 closed
🦆
1.1K huntable acres
Steigerwald Lake NWR
Clark County, WA · 41 mi E
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Cape Meares NWR
Tillamook County, OR · 41 mi W
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Three Arch Rocks NWR
Tillamook County, OR · 42 mi W
✕1 closed
No hunting listed
Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.