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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Rules & Policies

Updated November 4, 2026

Facility Rules and Policies

Welcome to your wetland management district . District lands are open every day for you to discover new places to hunt, fish, take pictures, watch wildlife, pick wild edibles (for personal use), trap, hike, cross-country ski and snowshoe.

Hunting, fishing and trapping seasons generally follow state seasons and regulations. Please consult the wetland management district headquarters at 952-854-5900 if you have questions. We may post additional site-specific regulations.

To ensure your safety and protect wildlife and habitat, please be aware of these regulations.

General Restrictions

  • Access to district lands are open from 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset unless otherwise posted
  • Camping, open fires and overnight parking are prohibited
  • Pets must remain on a 6-foot or shorter leash at all times and off-leash training of any kind is prohibited
  • Drones may not launched, landed or flown over the district, including personal or commercial use, without a special use permit
  • Do not enter areas signed as closed. For access information related to hunting, visit our hunting information web page.
  • Hunting is permitted in season, and refuge regulations supersede state regulations.

We prohibit

  • Target shooting
  • Training pets and allowing pets off leash
  • All types of motorized vehicles on all refuge land (including on frozen bodies of water) except on designated parking areas, access roads and public roads
  • Drones (UAVs) taking off, landing and/or flying on or over district lands
  • Launching, landing or disturbing of wildlife by aircraft (includes drones) on the district. This includes for recreational or commercial purposes.
  • The use of a spotlight, headlight or other artificial light to spot, locate or take any wild animal

Additional Information

Special-use permits may be issued for compatible secondary uses upon approval of the district manager. Contact the district headquarters for application information at 952-854-5900 or by email MinnesotaValley@fws.gov.

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