National Wildlife Refuge · Washington · FWS Region 1

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge lies in Pacific County, Washington, with about 19,168 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 10 mapped hunt units: 5 open under general rules, 4 open with special regulations, and 1 closed, covering about 14,490 huntable acres.

5 open units4 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
10hunt units
14.5Khuntable acres
19.2KFWS-owned acres
4game categories

Willapa 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 Willapa NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, upland birds, and migratory birds, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing.

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge contains 21,000 acres of uplands and tidelands divided into several management units. All State of Washington hunting regulations apply in addition to all federal and special Refuge regulations.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory 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 Washington regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (10)

Acreage by status
Open: 5,500 (28%)Special regulations: 8,990 (46%)Closed: 5,113 (26%)14.5Khuntable acres
  • Open5,500 ac 28%
  • Special regulations8,990 ac 46%
  • Closed5,113 ac 26%
Units by size (acres)
Long Island
5,454 ac
Closed Area
5,113 ac
Willapa Bay
2,893 ac
Leadbetter Point
2,080 ac
East Hills
1,865 ac
South Bay
802 ac
South Bay Hills
654 ac
Nemah North
344 ac
Riekkola
262 ac
Nemah South
136 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
East Hills Open 1,865 —
Nemah North Open 344 —
Nemah South Open 136 —
Riekkola Open 262 —
Willapa Bay Open 2,893 —
Leadbetter Point Special regs 2,080 —
Long Island Special regs 5,454 —
South Bay Special regs 802 —
South Bay Hills Special regs 654 —
Closed Area Closed 5,113 —

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 Washington hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Washington 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 Willapa NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

Refuge waters include portions of Willapa Bay and the Bear River. Fishing season is year-round. Available saltwater species include chum salmon and sturgeon. Fishing, from boat or bank, is permitted only on Willapa Bay.

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

How to get to Willapa NWR

Navigate

Destination: Willapa National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
46.45213, -123.96685
DMS
46°27′07.7″N 123°58′00.7″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Ilwaco, WA10 mi N of town
  • Astoria, OR19 mi N of town
  • Aberdeen, WA37 mi S of town
  • Olympia, WA65 mi SW of town

Closest airports

  • PDX Portland Intl89 mi
  • SEA Seattle–Tacoma104 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 Willapa 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, 20266:04 AM6:34 AM7:57 PM13h 23m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:22 AM6:52 AM7:30 PM12h 38m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM6:58 PM11h 46m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:01 AM7:31 AM6:31 PM10h 60m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:26 AM6:56 AM5:02 PM10h 07m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM4:44 PM9h 28m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:08 AM7:38 AM4:31 PM8h 53m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:22 AM7:52 AM4:29 PM8h 37m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:29 AM7:59 AM4:38 PM8h 39m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:25 AM7:55 AM4:53 PM8h 58m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:10 AM7:40 AM5:17 PM9h 37m

Computed for 46.452, -123.967 (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.

Willapa NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Willapa NWR?

Yes. Willapa National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 9 units (14,490 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, upland birds, and migratory birds. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Willapa NWR?

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

Yes. Fishing is permitted (tidal / saltwater fishing and shellfishing & crabbing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Willapa NWR located?

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge is in Pacific County, Washington, about 10 miles N of Ilwaco, WA (straight-line). GPS: 46.45213, -123.96685.

What are legal shooting hours at Willapa 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

Lewis and Clark NWR

Clatsop County, OR · 22 mi SE

20 open4 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

12K huntable acres

Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer

Wahkiakum County, WA · 30 mi SE

5 open1 special5 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

3.9K huntable acres

Grays Harbor NWR

Grays Harbor County, WA · 36 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Abernathy FTC

Cowlitz County, WA · 42 mi E

1 closed
🎣

Cape Meares NWR

Tillamook County, OR · 67 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

Three Arch Rocks NWR

Tillamook County, OR · 68 mi S

1 closed
No hunting listed

All refuges in Washington →

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