National Wildlife Refuge · Oregon · FWS Region 1

Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Wapato Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies in Washington County, Oregon, with about 928 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 with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 270 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
270huntable acres
928FWS-owned acres
2game categories

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
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Wapato Lake NWR

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)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 270 (29%)Closed: 658 (71%)270huntable acres
  • Special regulations270 ac 29%
  • Closed658 ac 71%
Units by size (acres)
Closed Area
658 ac
Open Area
270 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Open Area Special regs 270 —
Closed Area Closed 658 —

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)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
45.42125, -123.12481
DMS
45°25′16.5″N 123°07′29.3″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

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

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM7:52 PM13h 20m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM7:26 PM12h 37m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:38 AM7:08 AM6:55 PM11h 46m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM6:29 PM11h 02m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:20 AM6:50 AM5:01 PM10h 11m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM4:44 PM9h 34m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:01 AM7:31 AM4:32 PM9h 01m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:15 AM7:45 AM4:30 PM8h 45m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:22 AM7:52 AM4:38 PM8h 47m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:18 AM7:48 AM4:53 PM9h 05m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:04 AM7:34 AM5:17 PM9h 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.

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

Tualatin River NWR

Washington County, OR · 14 mi E

1 special1 closed
🦆🕊️

232 huntable acres

Ridgefield NWR

Clark County, WA · 31 mi NE

1 special5 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

920 huntable acres

Baskett Slough NWR

Polk County, OR · 32 mi S

2 special1 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

All refuges in Oregon →

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