National Wildlife Refuge System; 2026-2027 Station-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations
Key claim: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to open or expand hunting and sport fishing opportunities at 111 field stations across the National Wildlife Refuge and National Fish Hatchery Systems for 2026-2027, including first-time access at 14 refuges and 3 hatcheries.
Abstract
(Proposed Rule · Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service) We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to open or expand hunting opportunities on 111 field stations, including 107 units of the National Wildlife Refuges System (Refuge System or NWRS) and 4 units of the National Fish Hatchery System (Hatchery System or NFHS). This includes opening hunting or sport fishing opportunities for the first time on 14 National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and 3 National Fish Hatcheries (NFH). The proposed actions will open or expand more than 1,450 opportunities for hunting and fishing across the NWRS and NFHS. In accordance with Secretary’s Order 3447 and Director’s Order 233, we also propose to make changes to existing station-specific regulations in order to improve the clarity and accuracy of regulations, reduce the regulatory burden on the public, ensure consistency across FWS lands and waters, and comply with a Presidential mandate for plain-language standards.
Why this matters
Refuge and hatchery hunting/fishing openings directly affect rural recreational economies, subsistence and sport users, and state wildlife agencies that coordinate seasons with federal land managers. While the rule has minimal direct effect on food prices or farm income, it shapes public access to federally managed lands and can influence local tourism, guiding services, and wildlife population management adjacent to agricultural areas.