Hunting

Located along the western basin of Lake Erie, Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge draws large concentrations of both dabbling and diving ducks to its extensive marshes and shoreline. Public waterfowl hunting is available along the Lake Erie shoreline below the high-water mark, and access is available by boat only or in the Pheasant Farm Unit, access is through the Mallard Club State Wildlife Area. Deer hunting occurs through a controlled hunt, with opportunities for youth and archery hunters. Permits are issued via the lottery for these controlled hunts.

Cedar Point Hunt and Fish Brochure

Welcome

Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1964, covers 2,445 acres and was donated by the Cedar Point Shooting Club before being sold to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It serves as a sanctuary for migratory birds and resident wildlife, including endangered species, and offers controlled hunting, wildlife viewing, photography, paddling, and fishing opportunities to the public.

Firearms

Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System lands must comply with all provisions of state and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32).

Boats

The Refuge allows non-motorized boats (i.e., canoe, kayak, john boat) in the fishing access area and within the areas designated for waterfowl hunting (i.e., Potter’s Pond, Pheasant Farm, Gradel Marsh). Boats are prohibited in Cedar Point Pool 1. Motorized boats are allowed in the lake which includes Potter’s pond.

Accessibility Information

Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. For more information please contact the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Civil Rights, https://www.doi.gov/pmb/eeo/public-civil-rights.

Hunting and Fishing Regulations

Hunting and fishing regulations are designed to provide safe recreational opportunities through wise use of renewable wildlife resources. Hunting and fishing are permitted in accordance with Federal regulations governing public use on National Wildlife Refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

State and local laws are also applicable while hunting on Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge. Non-Toxic shot, as defined in 50 CFR 20.21(j) for upland / small game, turkey & waterfowl is required. We allow the use of dogs while hunting in accordance with state law. The dog must remain under control of the hunter at all times.

Fishing is allowed in designated fishing areas in accordance with State of Ohio regulations, seasons, and harvest limits, subject to the conditions stated here. The refuge prohibits the take of any turtle, frog, leech, minnow, crayfish, and mussel species by any method. Fishing is permitted from legal sunrise to legal sunset. Anglers must remove all boats, ice fishing structures, devices, and personal property from the refuge each day.

Types of Hunts

Refuge offers three types of hunter access, Open, Daily Permit (Gradel Marsh), and Controlled Hunting Access Lotteries. The areas are listed in the table and map of this brochure.

• Open units, and their applicable species are listed in the table and map of this brochure. No additional permit is required to access these units.
• Gradel Marsh Unit is part of daily permit system run by Ottawa NWR. Individuals obtain these access permits through recreation.gov (https://www.recreation.gov/search?activity_ tags=featured-hunt-fish) to reserve a daily access permit.
• Controlled Hunting Access Lottery units are issued through ODNR. Individuals apply through the states website (https://ohiodnr.gov/buy-and-apply/hunting-fishing-boatingboating / hunting-resources/controlled-hunting-trapping) to receive an access permit.

Hunting Access

Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 1½ hours before legal sunrise or state designated shooting hour and must leave the refuge no later than 1 hour after legal sunset or state designated shooting time, unless otherwise stated in a permit.

Hunting Hours:

State listed hunting hours with the exception of upland game species.

We prohibit night hunting of upland / small game from ½ hour after legal sunset until ½ hour before legal sunrise the following day.

Equipment

We allow one portable deer stand or ground blind per refuge unit. We allow placement of tree stands and ground blinds after September 1 and require hunters to remove tree stands and ground blinds by the last day in February of each year. We require deer stands and ground blinds to be labeled with the hunter’s Ohio customer identification number. Permanent tree stands, nails, screw-in steps, or other items that penetrate the outer bark of a tree is prohibited.
 

To Report Violations

• Turn In a Poacher (TIP) Line: 1-800-POACHER
• Report Wildlife Crimes 1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477)
  fws_tips@fws.gov