The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Hunting is permitted only in the area outside the main dike in the Liverpool Lake section and north of the entrance to the north ditch known as Goofy Ridge Ditch.
2. Hunters must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials at the end of each day's hunt (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds (see Sec. 27.92 of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge from legal sunrise to legal sunset in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow fishing on Lake Chautauqua from February 1 through October 15. We prohibit fishing in the Waterfowl Hunting Area during the waterfowl hunting season.
2. We allow bank fishing year-round between the boat ramp and the fishing trail in the North Pool and from Goofy Ridge Public Access to the west gate of the north pool water control structure.
3. Motorboats must not exceed ``no-wake'' speeds.
4. We prohibit the public entering Weis Lake on the Cameron-Billsbach Unit of the refuge from October 16 through January 31.
5. We prohibit leaving boats on refuge waters overnight (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require a refuge hunt brochure permit that is available at the refuge office and in brochure dispensers at multiple locations throughout the refuge. You must carry this signed permit when hunting on the refuge.
2. We prohibit hunting in the restricted use area of Crab Orchard Lake and areas posted closed to hunting as described in the hunting brochure.
3. We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 m) of all designated public use facilities, including but not limited to: parking areas, picnic areas, campgrounds, marinas, boat ramps, public roads, and established hiking trails listed in the refuge trails brochure.
4. Hunters must remove all boats, decoys, blinds, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal equipment (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
5. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, platforms, or scaffolds (see Sec. 27.92 of this chapter).
6. Waterfowl hunting blinds must be a minimum of 200 yards (180 m) apart. Hunters must anchor boat blinds on the shore or anchor them a minimum of 200 yards (180 m) away from any shoreline.
7. An adult age 21 or older must supervise youth hunters under age 16, and youth hunters must remain in sight of and normal voice contact with the adult.
8. We prohibit the use of paint, flagging, reflectors, tacks, or other manmade materials to mark trails or hunting locations (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
9. We allow the use of hunting dogs during the hunting season, provided the dogs are under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
10. We allow waterfowl hunting on the eastern shoreline in Grassy Bay.
11. Waterfowl hunters may hunt in the ``controlled waterfowl hunting area'' up to 3 days prior to Canada goose season.
12. We allow waterfowl hunting in the ``controlled waterfowl hunting area'' (as displayed in the refuge hunting brochure) during the Canada goose season subject to the following conditions:
i. Waterfowl hunters must attend a special drawing on the day of the hunt.
ii. We allow hunting \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise to posted closing times.
iii. Hunters must hunt from assigned refuge blinds or markers. We allow water blind hunters to hunt from a boat immediately adjacent to their blind/marker.
iv. All hunters must report their harvest at the end of the day's hunt using the Waterfowl Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2361).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, rabbit, bobwhite quail, raccoon, opossum, red fox, grey fox, and coyote on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A5 and A7 through A9 apply.
2. We prohibit upland game hunting in the ``controlled waterfowl hunting area'' during the Canada goose hunting season, except we allow furbearer hunting from legal sunset to legal sunrise.
3. We prohibit hunters using rifles or handguns with ammunition larger than .22 caliber rimfire, except they may use black powder firearms up to and including .40 caliber.
4. We allow the use of .22 and .17 caliber rimfire lead ammunition for the taking of small game and furbearers during open season.
5. We prohibit target practice or any nonhunting discharge of firearms (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter).
6. For hunting, you may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A5 and A7, A8, and B4 apply.
2. We require all deer and turkey hunters using the ``restricted use area'' (as described in the hunting brochure) to check-in at the refuge visitor center prior to hunting.
3. We allow the use of legal-sized lead ammunition (see current Illinois hunting digest) for the taking of deer and turkey.
4. We prohibit the use of handguns for the taking of deer in the restricted use area.
5. We prohibit the use of ``deer drives'' for the taking or attempting to take deer. We define a ``deer drive'' as a hunter(s) moving through an area with the intent of displacing one or more deer in the direction of another hunter(s).
6. We allow deer hunting with archery equipment only in the following areas:
i. In the ``controlled waterfowl hunting area'';
ii. On all refuge lands north of Illinois State Route 13; and
iii. In the area north of the Crab Orchard Lake emergency spillway and west of Crab Orchard Lake.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. On Crab Orchard Lake west of Wolf Creek Road:
i. Anglers may fish from boats all year.
ii. Anglers must remove all trotlines/jugs from legal sunrise until legal sunset from the Friday immediately prior to Memorial Day through Labor Day.
2. On Crab Orchard Lake east of Wolf Creek Road:
i. Anglers may fish from boats March 15 through September 30.
ii. Anglers may fish all year at the Wolf Creek and Route 148 causeways.
3. Anglers must check and remove fish from all jugs and trotlines daily.
4. We prohibit using stakes to anchor any trotlines and anchoring trotlines from any object on the shoreline.
5. Anglers must tag all jugs and trotlines with their name and address.
6. We prohibit anglers using jugs or trotlines with any flotation device that has previously contained any petroleum-based material or toxic substances.
7. Anglers must attach a buoyed device that is visible on the water's surface to all trotlines.
8. Anglers may use all legal noncommercial fishing methods, except they may not use any underwater breathing apparatus.
9. On A-41, Bluegill, Managers, Honkers, and Vistors Ponds:
i. Anglers may fish only from legal sunrise to legal sunset March 15 through September 30.
ii. We prohibit anglers from using boats or flotation devices.
10. Anglers may not submerge any pots or similar object to take or locate any fish.
11. Organizers of all fishing events must possess a Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3-1383G or 3-1383C).
12. We prohibit anglers from fishing within 250 yards (225 m) of an occupied waterfowl hunting blind.
13. We restrict motorboats on all refuge waters to slow speeds leaving ``no wake'' within 150 feet (45 m) of any shoreline, swimming area, marina entrance, boat ramp, causeway tunnel, and any areas indicated on the lake zoning map in the refuge fishing brochure.
14. We prohibit the use of boat motors of more than ``10 horse power'' on Devils Kitchen and Little Grassy Lakes.
15. We prohibit the use of gas-powered motors in the southeastern section of Devils Kitchen Lake (consult lake zoning map in the refuge fishing brochure).
16. We prohibit the use of trotlines/jugs on all refuge waters outside of Crab Orchard Lake.
17. Specific creel and size limits apply on various refuge waters as listed in the Crab Orchard Fishing Brochure and the annual Illinois fishing digest.
Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, coot, woodcock, dove, and snipe on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must remove all boats, decoys, blinds, blind materials, stands, and platforms (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
2. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, and scaffolds (see Sec. 27.92 of this chapter).
3. We prohibit outboard motors larger than 10 hp.
4. We prohibit the use of paint, flagging, reflectors, tacks, or other manmade materials to mark trails or hunting locations.
5. We allow the use of hunting dogs, provided the dogs are under the immediate control of the hunter at all times (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
6. For hunting, you may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, rabbit, bobwhite quail, raccoon, opossum, red fox, grey fox, and coyote on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A2, A4, A5, and A6 apply.
2. We prohibit hunting after legal sunset, except we allow raccoon and opossum hunting after legal sunset.
3. We allow the use of .22 and .17 caliber rimfire lead ammunition for the taking of small game and furbearers during open season.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1, A2, A4, and A5 apply. Condition A6 applies to wild turkey only.
2. We prohibit deer drives, by person or animal, and participating in deer drives on all refuge divisions.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 and A3 apply.
2. Anglers must remove all boats and fishing equipment (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's fishing activity.
3. We prohibit the use of trotlines, jugs, yo-yos, nets, or any commercial fishing equipment except in areas where State regulation authorizes commercial tackle.
4. We prohibit the use of more than two poles per angler and more than two hooks or lures per pole.
5. We prohibit possession of bass less than 15 inches (37.5 cm) in length from refuge ponds.
6. We prohibit possession of more than six channel catfish from refuge ponds.
Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, or scaffolds (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
2. Hunters must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
3. We allow the use of motorized boats at no-wake speeds on all refuge waters.
4. We allow access for hunting from 1 hour before legal shooting time (consult the State regulations for the species in question) until 1 hour after legal sunset.
5. For hunting, you may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow upland game hunting on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following condition: Conditions A4 and A5 apply.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Condition A4 applies. Condition A5 applies to wild turkey only.
2. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, or ladders (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
3. You must remove all portable hunting stands and blinds from the area at the end of each day's hunt (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing throughout the year on designated areas of the refuge. We allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit fishing in the Waterfowl Hunting area during the waterfowl hunting season.
2. We prohibit leaving boats on refuge waters overnight (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
3. Condition A3 applies.
Great River National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl and coot on the Long Island Division of the refuge in accordance with State and Federal regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting only from blinds constructed on sites posted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
2. For hunting, you may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of small game, furbearers, and game birds on the Long Island, Fox Island, Cherry Box, and Hickory Creek Divisions of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Condition A2 applies.
2. We open refuge divisions for upland game hunting from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise to \1/2\ hour after legal sunset.
3. We allow hunting with shotgun only during the Statewide upland game season.
4. We close Fox Island Division to all upland game hunting from October 16 through December 31.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated portions of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Condition A2 applies, except for when hunting for white-tailed deer.
2. We prohibit construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, or ladders (see Sec. 27.92 of this chapter).
3. We only allow portable tree stands from September 1 through January 31 of each year. The hunter's full name, address, and State-generated hunter identification number must be permanently attached in a visible location on the stand. Limit one stand per hunter.
4. We prohibit hunting over or placing on the refuge any salt or other mineral blocks (see Sec. 32.2(h)).
5. On the Fox Island Division, we only allow deer hunting during the Statewide archery deer season only.
6. On the Cherry Box and Hickory Creek divisions, we allow deer hunting during the Statewide archery deer season only.
7. On the Delair Division, we only allow deer hunting during special managed hunts and subject to the following conditions:
i. You must possess and carry a refuge permit (hunt letter) when hunting.
ii. You must register at the hunter sign-in/out station and record the sex and age of deer harvested on the Big Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2359).
iii. Shooting hours end at 3 p.m. each day.
8. On the Long Island Division, we allow deer and turkey hunting in accordance with State seasons and regulations.
9. On the Fox Island, Cherry Box, and Hickory Creek Divisions, we allow turkey hunting during the state spring season, youth season, and fall archery season.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on the Long Island and Fox Island Divisions of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit the taking of turtle and frog (see Sec. 27.21 of this chapter).
2. On the Fox Island Division, we only allow bank fishing along any portion of the Fox River from January 1 through October 15.
Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow sport fishing on all areas open to public access from legal sunrise to legal sunset from February 1 to October 15.
2. We allow access to Meredosia Lake from the boat ramp and allow foot access on refuge land along the east side of the Meredosia Lake in Morgan County from legal sunrise to legal sunset throughout the year.
3. We prohibit leaving boats on refuge waters overnight (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
4. Motorboats must not exceed ``no-wake'' speeds.
Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on the Meissner, Wilkinson, and Beaver Island Divisions in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, scaffolds, or platforms (see Sec. 27.92 of this chapter).
2. You must remove boats, blinds, blind materials, stands, decoys, and other hunting equipment (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) from the refuge at the end of each day.
3. We allow portable blinds on a daily basis on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. For hunting, you may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of upland game (squirrels, rabbits, and bobwhite quail only) on the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting of furbearers only from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
2. Condition A4 applies.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 and A2 apply. Condition A4 applies to wild turkey only.
2. In the Harlow, Crains, and Meissner Island Divisions you may use only archery equipment to harvest white-tailed deer.
3. We prohibit deer drives, by person or animal, and participating in deer drives on all refuge divisions.
4. We prohibit placing temporary tree stands in dead or dying trees.
5. You may not remove any tree or limbs greater than 1 inch in diameter.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We close the Meissner Island Division to all sport fishing.
2. We prohibit the taking of turtle and frog (see Sec. 27.21 of this chapter).
3. We allow fishing only from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
4. Anglers must remove all fishing devices (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day's fishing.
Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on the Big Timber Division and Iowa River Corridor Lands. We prohibit hunting of migratory game birds on the Louisa, Horseshoe Bend, and Keithsburg Divisions.
2. You must remove boats, decoys, and portable blinds (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day.
3. For hunting, you may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
4. On the Big Timber Division, we allow portable blinds on a daily basis at any location on first-come, first-served basis.
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of upland game on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting of upland game on the Big Timber, Keithsburg, and Horseshoe Bend Divisions, and on Iowa River Corridor Lands. We prohibit hunting of upland game on any other areas of the refuge.
2. Condition A3 applies to upland game. You may use lead shot to hunt turkey. We allow shotgun slug or muzzleloading rifle for hunting coyotes.
3. We only allow squirrel hunting on the Keithsburg Division from the beginning of the State season to September 15.
4. We allow hunting on the Horseshoe Bend Division from September 1 until September 15 and December 1 until the end of the State seasons. We allow spring turkey hunting.
5. We allow hunting on the Big Timber Division from September 1 until the end of the State seasons. We allow spring turkey hunting.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer only on Big Timber Division, on Horseshoe Bend Division, and on Iowa River Corridor Lands. We prohibit hunting of white-tailed deer on any other areas of the refuge.
2. We only allow the use of portable stands, and hunters must remove them at the end of each day (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
3. We close Horseshoe Bend Division to all public access from September 15 until December 1.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit the taking of turtle or frog (see Sec. 27.21 of this chapter).
2. We only allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. We close the following Divisions to all public access: Louisa Division--September 15 until January 1; Horseshoe Bend Division--September 15 until December 1; Keithsburg Division--September 15 until January 1.
4. Anglers must remove boats and all other fishing devices (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day's fishing.
5. We only allow motor boats on Horseshoe Bend Division for fishing during the periods when flood water enables access from the river over the levee.
6. We allow sport fishing on Iowa River Corridor lands subject to the following condition: Condition D4 applies.
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds only on the Apple Creek Division and the portion of the Calhoun Division east of the Illinois River Road in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, stands, scaffolds, or platforms (see Sec. 27.92 of this chapter).
2. Hunters must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.
3. For hunting, you may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow upland game hunting for wild turkey, small game, furbearers, and nonmigratory game birds on the Apple Creek Division and the portion of the Calhoun Division east of the Illinois River Road in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow hunting from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
2. We allow turkey hunting only on the Clarksville Island Division. We restrict turkey hunting to archery only in the fall and shotgun or archery in the spring.
3. Condition A3 applies.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on the Apple Creek Division and the portion of the Calhoun Division east of the Illinois River Road in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit the construction or use of permanent blinds, platforms, or ladders (see Sec. 27.92 of this chapter).
2. Hunters must remove all portable hunting stands and blinds from the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
3. We restrict white-tailed deer hunting on the Clarksville Island Division to archery only.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We prohibit the taking of turtle or frog (see Sec. 27.21 of this chapter).
2. We only allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
3. From October 15 through December 31 we close the Batchtown, Gilbert Lake, and Portage Island Divisions, and the portion of the Calhoun Division north and west of the Illinois River Road, to all public access.
4. Anglers must remove boats and all other fishing devices (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each day's fishing activity.
5. We only allow boats on the Gilbert Lake Division for fishing during those periods when flood water enables access from the river over the levee.
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
Refer to Sec. 32.42 Minnesota for regulations. [58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 29074, May 18, 1993; 59 FR 6685, 6692, Feb. 11, 1994; 59 FR 55185, Nov. 3, 1994; 60 FR 62041, Dec. 4, 1995; 61 FR 45366, Aug. 29, 1996; 61 FR 46394, Sept. 3, 1996; 62 FR 47378, Sept. 9, 1997; 63 FR 46916, Sept. 3, 1998; 65 FR 30782, May 12, 2000; 65 FR 56402, Sept. 18, 2000; 66 FR 46356, Sept. 4, 2001; 67 FR 58944, Sept. 18, 2002; 69 FR 54362, 54387, Sept. 8, 2004; 69 FR 55995, Sept. 17, 2004; 70 FR 54166, Sept. 13, 2005; 72 FR 51542, Sept. 7, 2007; 73 FR 33172, June 11, 2008; 76 FR 3959, Jan. 21, 2011; 76 FR 56068, Sept. 9, 2011; 77 FR 56040, Sept. 11, 2012; 79 FR 14827, Mar. 17, 2014; 80 FR 51901, Aug. 26, 2015]