Rules and Policies

There are lots of fun, interesting, and educational things for you to enjoy at the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge. When in doubt about rules or regulations regarding a specific activity, please check with the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge office before participating in that activity. Be safe and have fun! 

General Regulations

To help protect people, wildlife, and habitat, please observe the following:

• Vehicle travel is restricted to public roads.
• Animals, artifacts, and plants must not be disturbed.
• Non-motorized boats and paddle craft must be launched at boat access points. Boats with electric motors are not allowed. 
• Pets must be on a leash controlled by the handler or inside a vehicle or fish house.
• Bicycling is permitted on the Refuge but is restricted to established roads. Bicycles are prohibited on all hiking trails.
• Littering is prohibited.
• Camping and open fires are prohibited. 
• Horseback riding is prohibited.
• 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.)  

Refuge Brochure

Hunting and Fishing

Hunting and fishing are allowed 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 regulations, and Refuge-specific regulations.

Hunting Regulations

• A portion of the Refuge is open to hunting for deer within specific dates (see hunting regulations table). A State issued, Refuge-specific tag is required for hunting. The entire Headquarters Island is closed to all hunting. 
• Only hunters with a valid, unfilled tag may be on the Refuge to hunt during the dates printed on the tag. 
• Hunters may not fill the following tags on the Refuge: East River, State muzzleloader, special buck, and state-wide youth tags.

Fishing Regulations

The Refuge is open to fishing per Refuge-specific regulations and in accordance with State regulations. Consult the South Dakota Fishing Handbook for species limits and fishing regulations.

• Open-water fishing and ice fishing are allowed on all Refuge waters. 
• Anglers may launch non-motorized boats or paddlecraft from a boat access point. 
• When fishing from the shoreline, anglers must park vehicles in a designated parking area. 
• When ice fishing, anglers may park vehicles along the south side of the east entrance road. Parking on Headquarters Island is limited to parking lots. 
• Anglers must access the ice on foot (no vehicles) and are allowed to be on ice from 1 hour prior to sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. 
• Portable fish houses may be used, but they must be removed from the Refuge each day.

Refuge Hunting & Fishing Brochure

Other Uses

Certain other activities may be allowed. Contact the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge office for more information or to request a Special Use Permit.

Observation of Violations

If you observe a violation of these regulations, or any other violations of federal, state, or local laws or regulations, please report them immediately. You may contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service TIP Line at 1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477), the South Dakota Turn in Poachers (TIPS) at 1-888-OVERBAG (683-7224), your local County Sheriff by calling 911, or the Waubay National Wildlife Refuge at (605) 989-2324. Information such as a legal description, violation observed, and identifying information such as a license plate are helpful. Do not jeopardize your safety in any way to obtain this information.