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Hunt/Boat/Fish at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge

Featuring 11,000 acres of outdoor recreation opportunities, Hagerman NWR is an excellent destination for wildlife viewing, hiking, fishing, boating, and regulated hunting.  In addition, the Friends of Hagerman offer many activities, events, seminars and volunteer opportunities.  Refuge lands and lakeshores are open and accessible from sunrise to sunset every day of the year—even when the visitor center is closed.  Restrooms are located at the Goode Picnic Area (near Haller's Haven Trail) the Visitor Center, Big Mineral picnic area (near Meadow Pond Trail) and Sandy Day Use Area.  

Map of the Refuge

Hunting at Hagerman NWR and the Nocona Unit 


Photo by Carl Hill

Situated on the upper Big Mineral Creek arm of Lake Texoma, which is on the Texas / Oklahoma border, Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge provides feeding and resting areas for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, pelicans, and many other birds. The refuge also supports abundant state trust resources including white-tail deer, wild turkey, rabbits, and squirrel. Invasive feral hogs have also become established here and are the target of several ongoing control measures.

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge allows limited quota hunting for white-tail deer, wild turkey, and feral hogs by permit only. The refuge has developed a reputation for hosting high quality public hunts for all three species. Permits are issues by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) after a random draw. The hunts are generally scheduled as follows (dates and open areas vary each year; consult refuge and state regulations before hunting):

  • White-tail Deer Hunts (Archery Only): three weekends in November - December
  • Eastern Wild Turkey Hunt (see regulations below): one weekend in April
  • Feral Hog Hunts (see regulations below): two weekends in March
  • Interested hunters may apply for a limited quota permit from TPWD here

The refuge also offers public hunting for dove, rabbit, and squirrel in specified areas and specified portions of open seasons. These hunts are available to the general public and do not require a drawn permit from TPWD. They are generally scheduled as follows (dates may vary each year; consult refuge and state regulations before hunting):

  • Squirrel and Rabbit (see regulations below): January 1 – February 28, 2025

Be sure to check out the hunting rules and regulations before hunting at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. You will need to consult the refuge-specific hunting rulesas well as Texas Hunting Regulations.

Related Documents

US Fish and Wildlife Service Limited Permit Hunts, Hagerman Hunt Brochure

US Fish and Wildlife Service Limited Permit Hunts, Nocona Hunt Brochure

Hagerman NWR is in Grayson County

Drawn Hunt Catalog of the Texas Public Hunt System

For more information, about hunts at Hagerman visit:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Public Hunt System

Fishing

Photo by Don Champlin


Fishing Regulations:

  • Fishing from the shorelines of Lake Texoma is allowed year-round throughout the refuge except from Plover, Tern, and Egret Roads.  These areas contain moist soil units maintained by the refuge to provide habitat for migrating shorebirds and ducks, and are set aside for wildlife observation and photography only.
  • Fishing from the bank along creeks is permitted year-round.
  • Fishing in stock ponds is allowed from March 15th to September 30th every year.  Pond fishing is limited to protect wintering waterfowl.
  • A Lake Texoma license or a Texas fishing license is required for all fishing. (Purchase Here on the TPWD website).
  • Common Fish species: Black bass, sand bass, small mouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and striped bass.  Hagerman NWR Fish Species List

  • Where to Fish for What: Fish Map by Species 

  • Please follow TPWD bagging limits and other regulations for Lake Texoma and Grayson County: Hagerman Fishing and Boating and Grayson County Regulations.
  • Lake Level Information for Lake Texoma

Popular fishing spots include:

  • The Harris Creek Bridge
  • Big Mineral Creek Bridge
  • The point at the Goode Day Use Area 
  • Sandy Point
  • The low water crossing just north of the visitor center on Refuge Road 
  • Any of the oil pad access roads that jut out into the lake.    

While pond fishing is open (March 15th through September 30th) you can try the one on the right side of Refuge Road as you head towards the visitor center. It has been stocked with catfish in the past and has small perch.  

Boating


  • Non-motorized boats are allowed on the refuge from March 15 until October 1 annually.
  • From October 1 through March 14, we allow only non-motorized boats and tube fishing in Big Mineral Creek from the point where it joins Lake Texoma to the upstream end of navigable waters.
  • Year-round non-motorized boats are allowed in Big Mineral Creek from the point it connects with Lake Texoma Upstream as far as possible. Also year-round this area is a NO WAKE ZONE. See Hagerman Boating Regulations.


Stop Invasive Species in Your Tracks! 

Help prevent the spread of invasive plants and animals:

  • Remove plants, animals and mud from boots, gear, boat, and trailer.
  • Clean your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site.
  • Drain bilge, ballast, wells and buckets before you leave the area.
  • Dry equipment before launching into another body of water.
  • Dispose of unwanted bait in a sealed container
  • Use certified or local firewood and hay.
  • Stay on designated roads and trail

Search for any word--do not use quotes for phrases

Events and activities hosted by the Friends of Hagerman are funded by donations and powered solely by volunteers.  There are no fees for admission to the refuge or parking; the refuge is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year, drive on any road unless gated.

6465 Refuge Road

Sherman, TX 75092

             

Kroger: Stop by the customer service desk at Kroger and link your Kroger Card to the Friends of Hagerman: the Friends will get rewards for every dollar you spend, at no cost to you.

Please add info@friendsofhagerman.org to your contacts to ensure delivery of registration confirmations, account information and the Featherless Flyer

Website Suggestion Box

See you at the refuge! 

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