The following refuge units are open for hunting and/or fishing as governed by applicable Federal and State regulations, and are listed in alphabetical order with additional refuge-specific regulations.
(a)Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge -(1)Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Hunters must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).(4)Sport fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge from legal sunrise to legal sunset subject to the following conditions:(i) 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.(ii) 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.(b)Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge - (1)Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, coot, woodcock, dove, snipe, rail, and crow on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:(i) We require a signed hunt brochure. You must carry this signed permit when hunting on the refuge.(ii) We prohibit hunting within 50 yards (45 meters (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.(iii) Hunters must remove all boats, decoys, blinds, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other personal equipment brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).(iv) 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.(v) We allow the use of dogs when hunting, provided the dogs are under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.(2)Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, bobwhite quail, raccoon, opossum, red fox, grey fox, bobcat, woodchuck, striped skunk, pheasant, partridge, and coyote on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii) and (v) of this section apply.(ii) 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.(iii) We allow the use of .22 and .17 caliber rimfire lead ammunition for the taking of small game and furbearers during open season.(iv) For hunting, you may possess only approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field, including shot shells used for hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k) ).(v) We require all deer and turkey hunters using the restricted use area to check-in at the refuge visitor center prior to hunting.(3)Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii) and (b)(2)(ii) and (v) of this section apply.(ii) We prohibit the use of handguns for the taking of deer in the restricted use area.(iii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a "deer drive" as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.(iv) We only allow archery equipment when hunting deer in the following areas: (A) In the area west of Division Street and east of Blue Heron Marina;(B) On all refuge lands north of Illinois State Route 13; and(C) In the area north of the Crab Orchard Lake emergency spillway and west of Crab Orchard Lake.(4)Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) On Crab Orchard Lake west of Wolf Creek Road:(A) Anglers may fish from boats all year.(B) Anglers must remove all trotlines/jugs from legal sunrise until legal sunset from the Friday immediately prior to Memorial Day through Labor Day.(ii) On Crab Orchard Lake east of Wolf Creek Road:(A) Anglers may fish from boats March 1 through October 15.(B) Anglers may fish all year at the Wolf Creek and Route 148 causeways.(iii) On A-41 and Bluegill Ponds: (A) Anglers may fish only from legal sunrise to legal sunset from March 1 through October 15.(B) We prohibit anglers from using gas-powered boats.(iv) On Managers, Honkers, and Visitors Ponds:(A) Anglers may fish all year from legal sunrise to legal sunset.(B) We prohibit anglers from using gas-powered boats.(v) Trotlines/jugs:(A) We prohibit the use of trotlines/jugs on all refuge waters outside of Crab Orchard Lake.(B) We prohibit the use of trotlines/jugs with any flotation device that has previously contained any petroleum-based material or toxic substances.(C) Anglers must attach a buoyed device that is visible on the water's surface to all trotlines.(vi) Anglers may use all legal noncommercial fishing methods, except they may not use any underwater breathing apparatus.(vii) Anglers may not submerge any poles or similar objects to take or locate any fish.(viii) Organizers of all fishing events must possess a Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3-1383-G or FWS Form 3-1383-C).(ix) We prohibit anglers from fishing within 250 yards (228 meters) of an occupied waterfowl hunting blind.(x) Specific creel and size limits apply on various refuge waters as listed in the Crab Orchard fishing brochure and the annual Illinois fishing digest.(c)Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge -(1)Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, coot, woodcock, rail, dove, crow, and snipe on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:(i) You must remove all boats, decoys, blinds, blind materials, stands, and platforms (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt.(ii) We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.(2)Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, rabbit, bobwhite quail, raccoon, opossum, red fox, gray fox, bobcat, striped skunk, woodchuck, turkey, pheasant, Hungarian partridge, and coyote on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: (i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section apply.(ii) 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 § 32.2(k) ).(3)Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:(i) The condition set forth at paragraph (c)(1)(i) of this section applies.(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a "deer drive" as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.(4)Sport fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) Anglers must remove all boats and fishing equipment (see § 27.93 of this chapter) brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's fishing activity.(ii) We prohibit the use of trotlines, jugs, yo-yos, nets, or any commercial fishing equipment except in areas where State regulations authorize commercial tackle.(iii) We prohibit the use of more than two poles per angler and more than two hooks or lures per pole.(d)Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge - (1)Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) Hunters must remove boats, decoys, blinds, and blind materials brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).(ii) We allow access for hunting from 1 hour before legal shooting time (as governed by State regulations for the species in question) until 1 hour after legal sunset.(2)Upland game hunting. We allow upland game hunting on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: The condition set forth at paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section applies.(3)Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) The condition set forth at paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this section applies.(ii) 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 § 32.2(k) ).(4)Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing throughout the year on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:(i) We allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.(ii) We prohibit fishing in the waterfowl hunting area during the waterfowl hunting season.(e)Great River National Wildlife Refuge -(1)Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: On the Long Island Division, we allow hunting only from blinds constructed on sites posted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.(2)Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of small game, furbearers, and game birds on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) We open the refuge divisions for upland game hunting from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise to 1/2 hour after legal sunset.(ii) On the Cherry Box and Hickory Creek Units, we allow hunting with shotgun only during the Statewide upland game season.(3)Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:(i) For wild turkey hunting, you may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field (see § 32.2(k) ).(ii) We allow only portable tree stands from September 1 through January 31 of each year. You must permanently attach your State-generated hunter identification number in a visible location on the stand. We allow only one tree stand per hunter.(iii) On the Fox Island Division, Slim Island Division, Cherry Box Division, and Hickory Creek Division, we only allow archery deer hunting during the Statewide archery season. We prohibit archery hunting during the State firearm season.(iv) On the Delair Division, we only allow deer hunting during special managed hunts. You must possess and carry a refuge permit (hunt letter) when hunting during special managed hunts.(v) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a "deer drive" as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.(4)Sport fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) We prohibit the taking of any mussel (clam), crayfish, frog, leech, and turtle species by any method on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).(ii) On the Fox Island Division, we only allow bank fishing along any portion of the Fox River from January 1 through October 15.(f)Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge - (1)Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) You must remove personal belongings, including, but not limited to, all boats, decoys, blinds, blind materials, stands, and platforms brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).(ii) Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 1/2 hour before legal shooting hours and must exit the refuge no later than 1/2 hour after legal shooting hours.(2)Upland game hunting. We allow upland game and turkey hunting on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section apply.(ii) 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 § 32.2(k) ).(3)Big game hunting. We allow big game hunting on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section apply.(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a "deer drive" as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.(4)Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: We prohibit the taking of turtle and frog (see § 27.21 of this chapter).(g)Kankakee National Wildlife Refuge.(2)Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:(i) For hunting, you may possess only approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field (see § 32.2(k) ).(ii) You must remove personal belongings, including, but not limited to, all boats, decoys, blinds, blind materials, stands, platforms, and other hunting equipment brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).(3)Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) The condition set forth at paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this section applies.(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a "deer drive" as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.(h)Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge.(4)Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:(i) We allow sport fishing on all areas open to public access from legal sunrise to legal sunset from February 1 to October 15.(ii) 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.(i)Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge -(1)Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: You must remove boats, blinds, blind materials, stands, decoys, and other hunting equipment from the refuge at the end of each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).(2)Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of small game, furbearers, and game birds on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: We open the refuge divisions for upland game hunting from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise to 1/2 hour after legal sunset.(3)Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and wild turkey on designated areas on the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) For wild turkey hunting, you may use or possess only approved nontoxic shot shells while in the field (see § 32.2(k) ).(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a "deer drive" as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.(iii) We allow only portable tree stands from September 1 through January 31 of each year. You must permanently attach your State-generated hunter identification number in a visible location on the stand. We allow only one tree stand per hunter.(4)Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:(i) We prohibit the taking of any mussel (clam), crayfish, frog, leech, and turtle species by any method on the refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter).(ii) We allow fishing only from legal sunrise to legal sunset.(iii) You must remove all fishing devices at the end of each day's fishing activity (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).(j)Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge. Refer to § 32.34(f) for regulations.(k)Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge -(1)Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory game birds on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) Hunters must remove boats, decoys, blinds, blind materials, stands, and platforms brought onto the refuge at the end of each day's hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).(ii) We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.(2)Upland game hunting. We allow upland game hunting for wild turkey, small game, furbearers, and nonmigratory game birds on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (k)(1)(i) and (ii) of this section apply.(ii) 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 § 32.2(k) ).(iii) 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 .50 caliber.(iv) We allow the use of .22 and .17 caliber rimfire lead ammunition for the taking of small game and furbearers during open season.(v) Hunters may only hunt from 1/2 hour before legal sunrise to no later than 1/2 hour after legal sunset, and they must follow all State requirements for legal hunting hours.(3)Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (k)(1)(i) and (k)(2)(v) of this section apply.(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a "deer drive" as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.(4)Sport fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) We prohibit the taking of turtle or frog (see § 27.21 of this chapter).(ii) We allow fishing only from legal sunrise to legal sunset.(iii) Anglers must remove boats and all other fishing devices at the end of each day's fishing activity (see § 27.93 of this chapter).(l)Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Refer to § 32.42(r) for regulations.84 FR 47675, Sept. 10, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 54110, Aug. 31, 2020; 86 FR 48859, Aug. 31, 2021 81 FR 68897, 10/4/2016; 82 FR 51952, 11/8/2017; 83 FR 45779, 9/10/2018; 84 FR 47675, 9/10/2019; as amended at 85 FR 54110, 8/31/2020; 86 FR 48859, 8/31/2021