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Hunting access · Ohio wildlife area
Hunt Magee Marsh Wildlife Area this 2026-27 season
Hunting ground of 488 acres, run as a state wildlife area in Ottawa County and Lucas County.
Photo: Don Henise (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area by the numbers ODNR keeps
The ODNR Division of Wildlife manages Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, 488 acres of state wildlife area ground in Ottawa County and Lucas County. Its ODNR page places the ground about 18 miles east of Toledo. For wildlife work it falls under District 2, run from Findlay. Natural features on record: woods, grassland, Lake Erie, wetlands and marsh. ODNR also lists hiking, birding and fishing here, with accessible trails, boardwalk trails and hunter access. By tenure the ground is owned outright by the state. It appears in OAC 1501:31-15-04(A)(1) as "Magee marsh", the legal list of public hunting land.
Layers give between 488 and 1,987 acres, so the table shows each one.
| Measure | Acres |
|---|---|
| Property Details layer | 488 |
| Water (Property Details) | 1,472 |
| Hunting-status layer | 1,959 |
| GIS parcel area | 1,987 |
Our data review flagged this record; the reason is shown below, so check with ODNR before relying on it. Acreage disagreement: `acres` 488 (ODNR Property Details layer (DNRProperty_Details_Amenities) Land_acres) vs GIS 1987 acres of the ODNR parcels (layer SUM_CALC_ACRES 1959). Lake parks: ODNR land figures exclude the water the parcels cover.
From the ODNR property page, ODNR hunting-status layer, OAC; retrieved 2026-11-05, checked November 6, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
Agency notes on hunting Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
Quoted from the official listing for Magee Marsh Wildlife Area:
“This 2,202-acre controlled hunting area is located 17 miles west of Port Clinton on State Route 2, and 10 miles north of Oak Harbor on State Route 19.”
“During fall migration, thousands of Canada geese, mallards, black ducks, gadwall, and green-winged teal will use this portion of Lake Erie’s Western Basin marshes.”
Quoted from the agency page; checked November 6, 2026.
Lottery permits for Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
The 2026 lottery list has 10 hunts on Magee Marsh Wildlife Area (4 waterfowl, 2 deer gun, 2 tue/thu waterfowl, 1 trapping and 1 deer archery). Entry fee: $3 per hunt, no refunds, one entry each. Lottery deer add to the county limit rather than count against it (one buck rule unchanged). In-person trapping drawings: October 3, 2026, district offices. Midweek drawings close at noon the day before the hunt.
| No. | Lottery hunt | Game | Window | Packet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2506 | Magee Marsh/ottawa NWR archery deer | Deer archery | July 1-31 | – |
| 2505 | Magee Marsh/ottawa NWR deer | Deer gun | July 1-31 | – |
| 2706 | Magee Marsh/ottawa NWR youth deer | Deer gun | July 1-31 | – |
| 2991 | Magee Marsh WA furbearer trapping | Trapping | In person, Oct. 3 | packet |
| daily | Magee Marsh WA september goose and teal | Tue/Thu waterfowl | Mon/Wed, day before | – |
| daily | Magee Marsh WA thursday waterfowl | Tue/Thu waterfowl | Mon/Wed, day before | – |
| 2510 | Magee Marsh WA waterfowl | Waterfowl | July 1-31 | – |
| 2518 | Magee Marsh WA sept goose and teal | Waterfowl | July 1-31 | – |
| 2612 | Magee Marsh Special mentor waterfowl | Waterfowl | July 1-31 | – |
| 2709 | Magee Marsh WA youth waterfowl | Waterfowl | July 1-31 | – |
Hunts from the ODNR controlled hunting access lotteries page and the 2026-27 regulations, pp. 26-27; checked November 6, 2026.
Ground rules for hunting Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
Not all of Magee Marsh Wildlife Area is huntable; the restricted tag points you to the map.
- No driving off the posted roads; park in the lots.
- Camping is prohibited (Appalachian Hills, Simco and Woodbury are the exceptions).
- Closed 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from September through May 1 to anything but hunting, trapping and fishing.
- Guns may be fired only in lawful hunting, trapping or range use.
- Feed and bait are not allowed.
- Bring a portable stand; permanent stands are illegal.
- The public-area antlerless limit is two per license year.
- Parts of the season need a controlled-hunt permit.
- Midweek duck permits by lottery.
- Permit-only area under the Ohio code.
From the agency page, public hunting area rules; checked November 6, 2026.
What ODNR plants and maintains on Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area dog training area
The dog training layer places Magee Marsh Dog Training Area (1 acres) here.
From the dog training layer; checked November 6, 2026.
Dates and limits for hunting Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
The record pairs Magee Marsh Wildlife Area with deer, squirrel, rabbit, waterfowl, raccoon, coyote and fox. For ducks and geese it sits in Zone A.
| Game | Window | From | To | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Sep 26, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | County limit |
| Deer | Youth gun | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | County limit |
| Deer | Gun | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | County limit |
| Deer | Bonus gun | Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | County limit |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 5, 2027 | County limit |
| Squirrels | Regular | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 daily |
| Cottontail | Regular | Nov 6, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 4 daily |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 4 daily |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 4 daily |
| Coyote | Hunting (no closed season) | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Coyote | Trapping (no closed season) | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Red fox | Hunting | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Red fox | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Gray fox | Hunting | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Gray fox | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Raccoon | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Mink | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | No limit |
| Muskrat | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | No limit |
| Mink | Lake Erie trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | No limit |
| Muskrat | Lake Erie trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | No limit |
| Raccoon | Lake Erie trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | No limit |
| Beaver | Trapping | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | No limit |
| River otter | Trapping | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 1 of the 3 |
| Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | 5 daily |
| Teal | Early teal | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | 6 daily |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 1) | Oct 17, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 6 ducks daily |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 2) | Nov 14, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | 6 ducks daily |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 1) | Oct 17, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 5 daily |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 2) | Nov 14, 2026 | Feb 1, 2027 | 5 daily |
| Ducks | Youth waterfowl | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | Regular limits |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | Regular limits |
Dates and limits from the 2026-27 hunting seasons list and the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations; species from the record (ODNR property page hunting text); checked November 6, 2026.
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area: next-nearest open land, by miles
Closest neighbour on the ODNR map: Toussaint Creek Wildlife Area, 3 miles south. Neighbour mix: 3 wildlife areas, 2 wildlife refuges and 1 controlled hunt area. Do not mistake these for open ground: West Sister Island National Wildlife Refuge (refuge closed).
| Place | Type | Acres | County | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toussaint Creek Wildlife Area | Wildlife area | 225 | Ottawa | 3 miles | south |
| Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge | Refuge | 7,593 | Ottawa | 3 miles | west |
| Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area | Wildlife area | 558 | Lucas | 4 miles | northwest |
| Howard Marsh Metropark | Controlled hunts | – | Lucas | 6 miles | northwest |
| Cedar Point NWR | Refuge | 2,105 | Lucas | 9 miles | northwest |
| Mallard Club Wildlife Area | Wildlife area | 402 | Lucas | 10 miles | northwest |
Point: ODNR DNR_Lands_Hunting_Status layer, 3 parcels (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Closed places from the lands.json closed list. Checked November 6, 2026. Statewide public land map.
Where Magee Marsh Wildlife Area sits in Ohio's rules
The Ottawa County deer limit is 3 this season, only one of them antlered statewide. Final 2025-26 figure for Ottawa County: 851 deer checked. Through November 3, 2026: 196 deer checked.
| County | Bag | CWD area | Waterfowl | Turkey zone | Fall | Harvest 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa County | 3 deer | No | A | South | Closed | 851 |
| Lucas County | 4 deer | No | A, B | South | Open | 965 |
From the deer bag limit map, DSA, waterfowl zones, turkey zones, 2025-26 deer harvest report, harvest to date (ODNR Division of Wildlife); checked November 6, 2026.
Supply towns and ODNR help around Magee Marsh Wildlife Area
Reno Beach is the closest town on this site to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, 6 miles in a straight line. For a full grocery run, Port Clinton (5,915 people) is the pick. ODNR staff closest to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area work out of Oak Harbor, 1 mile off.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reno Beach | Lucas | – | 6 miles | northwest |
| Rocky Ridge | Ottawa | 306 | 6 miles | southwest |
| Curtice | Ottawa | – | 11 miles | west |
| Port Clinton | Ottawa | 5,915 | 14 miles | southeast |
| Wightmans Grove | Sandusky | – | 15 miles | southeast |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); ODNR offices and businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 6, 2026.
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area legal-hour chart by opener
Ohio deer hunters may shoot from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; ducks, geese, squirrels and fall turkeys stop at sunset; rabbits, pheasants, quail and doves wait for sunrise.
| When | Event | Rise | Set | Deer | Waterfowl | Small game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 7:23 a.m. | 7:25 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 7:55 p.m. | 6:53 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 7:25 p.m. |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Rabbit and pheasant | 7:10 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 7:10 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. |
| Nov 14, 2026 | Second duck split | 7:20 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Deer gun week | 7:39 a.m. | 5:05 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 7:39 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:56 a.m. | 5:05 p.m. | 7:26 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. | 7:26 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 7:56 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. |
| Jan 2, 2027 | Muzzleloader | 7:59 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. to 5:43 p.m. | 7:29 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 7:59 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Eastern Time); checked November 6, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Reaching Magee Marsh Wildlife Area and its managers
Your district office: 952 Lima Ave, Findlay, OH 45840, 419-424-5000. The officer assigned to Ottawa County is Reid Van Cleve, (419) 429-8389. Call 1-800-POACHER to report a violation anonymously.
- Area map PDF (published 5/19/2022) · legend: wildlife area headquarters, headquarters, parking area, parking, dog training area, refuge, trail, marsh
- ODNR hunting regulations web map
- Magee Marsh Trail Map [pdf]
- Magee Marsh Trail Map – Points of Interest [pdf]
- Open the point in Google Maps
Address and phone from the agency page and the ODNR Property Details layer; district offices from the ODNR Districts layer; officers from the officer list; point from ODNR DNR_Lands_Hunting_Status layer, 3 parcels (polygon centroid of the largest part); checked November 6, 2026.
Images for sizing up a Magee Marsh Wildlife Area hunt
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area hunters: public range plus clubs
The closest ODNR-listed range to Magee Marsh Wildlife Area is Resthaven Wildlife Area Shooting Range, about 22 miles off as the crow flies. Club and private ranges within 30 miles fill the other cards.
From ODNR’s public range list and range pages, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 6, 2026.
Common Magee Marsh Wildlife Area questions with sourced answers
May I camp while hunting Magee Marsh Wildlife Area?
No overnight camping.
When can ducks be hunted on Magee Marsh Wildlife Area this year?
Ducks in Zone A open Oct 17 to Nov 1, 2026; Nov 14 to Dec 27, 2026.
Hunter orange rules for Magee Marsh Wildlife Area in deer season?
A hunter orange vest or coat during the gun deer seasons; no square-inch rule.
Stand and bait rules for Magee Marsh Wildlife Area?
Portable stands only, with nothing driven into the tree, and no bait: deer baiting is illegal on public hunting areas.
Which number reaches the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area managers?
(419) 898-0960 reaches the managers.
What are deer hunting hours at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area on the gun opener?
Deer hours run 7:09 a.m. to 5:35 p.m. on November 30, 2026, worked out for this spot.
Is hunting restricted anywhere on Magee Marsh Wildlife Area?
Parts are closed or limited; carry the map.
Where is Magee Marsh Wildlife Area relative to the nearest town?
Reno Beach, 6 miles away in a straight line.
Does Ohio law allow Sunday hunts on Magee Marsh Wildlife Area?
Sunday is a normal hunting day in Ohio.
Do I have to report game shot on Magee Marsh Wildlife Area?
Noon the next day is the deadline for the game check.
How many acres of hunting land is Magee Marsh Wildlife Area?
488 acres, from the ODNR Property Details layer. The table above lists every source.
Which Ohio license and permits do I need for Magee Marsh Wildlife Area?
A hunting license and species permits, as anywhere in Ohio; no separate area permit for general hunting. Some hunts here are by lottery permit.
Can I apply for a drawn hunt at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area?
ODNR lists 10: waterfowl, deer gun, tue/thu waterfowl, trapping and deer archery. Each costs $3 to enter.
Magee Marsh Wildlife Area trip, last details
Report your deer or turkey by noon the next day, and keep your license and permits on you while hunting Magee Marsh Wildlife Area.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4 · source 5; seasons from the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked November 6, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Francesco Veronesi (CC BY-SA 2.0); Benny Mazur (CC BY 2.0); Dakota Callaway (CC BY 2.0).