Attention Waterfowl Hunters

As a result of damage from recent hurricanes, access to some hunt areas will be affected.

Update for Hunt Areas 2 & 3: Biolab Road is now open. Hunters wishing to hunt the Biolab and Max Hoeck Creek impoundments will now be able to access hunt areas using both the north entrance (Merritt Island NWR) and south entrance (Canaveral National Seashore) of Biolab Road. Waterfowl hunters are no longer permitted to haul boats over Biolab or Max Hoeck Creek impoundment dikes. The Playalinda Beach Road gate of the Canaveral National Seashore will be open at 4:00 a.m. for waterfowl hunters on waterfowl hunt days. Portions of Biolab Road still require additional repairs and hunters should proceed with caution. Hunters wishing to hunt Mosquito Lagoon in Hunt Areas 2 & 3 will still need to utilize refuge boat ramps.   

Hunt Area 1 (Quota): Hunters will need to use Peacocks Pocket Road or East Gator Creek Road to access boat ramps in the Peacocks Pocket, Gator Creek and Catfish Creek impoundments. Please note that Peacocks Pocket levee road will be closed. Hunters should be alert to heavy equipment on these roads.

Hunt Area 4 (Quota): While the levees in these areas have experienced some damage from hurricanes Ian and Nicole, hunter access is not affected. However, hunters may encounter obstacles (vegetation, sediment) within perimeter ditches. Please report any debris or blockages encountered in perimeter ditches.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, located along Florida’s coast about 60 miles east of the city of Orlando, was established by agreement as an overlay of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s John F. Kennedy Space Center. The refuge lies within one of the most productive estuaries in the country.
Refuge Passes available on Recreation.gov

A Refuge Pass is required to enter the Black Point Wildlife Drive and Bio Lab Road, and to launch a boat at Bairs Cove, Beacon 42, and Bio Lab boat ramps. A variety of passes can be purchased in-person at the Visitor Center. Merritt Island Annual, Daily, and Foot/Bicycle passes can be purchased online at Recreation.gov. Fees collected are used to directly assist with providing safe and meaningful experiences to refuge visitors.

Learn more about Refuge Passes on our Visit Us page. 

Latest News

A view of the ocean from land. In the distance is a water and rocky shore. In the foreground is a large rock formation and green vegetation
Recreation
The Wildlife Refuges of I-95
This story presents a state-by-state glance at national wildlife refuges where travelers seeking a nature break might stop along I-95. It includes expert tips about what a visitor might do and see during a one-hour stop at each refuge.
A medium-size bird with black and white feathers and a long tail standing on a rock in a field
Recreation
Visiting a National Park? Try a National Wildlife Refuge, Too
Millions of Americans visit national parks and national seashores each summer. If you’re looking for a quieter experience off the beaten path, try a nearby national wildlife refuge, too.
A large white bird soaring in blue sky with its long white-and-black wings spread the width of the photo
Wildlife Wonders
Refuge Animals From A to Z
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conserves land and water on national wildlife refuges for hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Here’s a sampling of them, from A to Z.
Large numbers of snow geese fly out at sunrise into an orange sky reflected in the water below at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.
Wildlife Wonders
Bird Festival Planner
For a wonderful nature show, it’s hard to beat a bird festival. Some of the best bird fests occur at or near national wildlife refuges. That’s not surprising, given that these public lands are such birdy places.
A hummingbird sips nectar from a flowering plant at Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge in Wyoming.
Wildlife Wonders
10 Birds to See
Here are some birds you might want to look for at national wildlife refuges and other bird-friendly places.
A woman aims her camera at birds through a photography blind at Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.
Recreation
Photo Blinds on Wildlife Refuges
These national wildlife refuges are among those with photography blinds or wildlife observation blinds.
View All News

Visit Us

A bus with birders tours Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Image Details

National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge offers a wide diversity of recreational and educational opportunities. From bird watching and nature study, to fishing and seasonal hunting, you are sure to find an activity to satisfy your passion. 

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Scrub habitat.
      Image Details

      Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established as an overlay of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s John F. Kennedy Space Center. According to the agreement with NASA, the lands and waters of the Kennedy Space Center are primarily to serve the space program and secondarily to serve as a wildlife refuge or park.

      What We Do

      Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. It drives everything on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands and waters managed within the Refuge System, from the purposes for which a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
      A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

      Learn more about national wildlife refuge       is established to the recreational activities offered to the resource management tools used.

      Our Species

      A close-up of a green sea turtle
      Image Details

      Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1963 for the protection of migratory birds.  Consisting of 140,000 acres, the refuge provides a wide variety of habitats: coastal dunes, saltwater marshes, managed impoundments, scrub, pine flatwoods, and hardwood hammocks. These habitats provide habitat for more than 1,500 species of plants and animals and 15 federally listed species. 

      Our Library

      Visit our digital library to view our brochures and publications all in one convenient location.

      Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Permit Lottery Information Bulletin 2023
      Name
      Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Permit Lottery Information Bulletin 2023

      Information on how to apply for Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge's Commercial Fishing Guide Permit 

      PDF
      Merritt Island NWR 2023 Commercial Activities Permit Form
      Name
      Merritt Island NWR 2023 Commercial Activities Permit Form

      To apply for Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge's Commercial Guide Permit Lottery, please fill out and return this form. The form is a fillable pdf which can be saved to your computer, and sent via email.

      PDF
      Merritt Island NWR Hunt Impoundment Conditions Nov 2022
      Name
      Merritt Island NWR Hunt Impoundment Conditions Nov 2022

      A summary of Merritt Island NWR hunt impoundment conditions for the 2022-23 waterfowl hunt season.

      PDF

      Stan Howarter

      Merritt Island Boat and Fish Regs Brochure 2022-23
      Name
      Merritt Island Boat and Fish Regs Brochure 2022-23
      PDF
      Merritt Island NWR Waterfowl Hunt Brochure 2022-23
      Name
      Merritt Island NWR Waterfowl Hunt Brochure 2022-23
      PDF