Welder Flats WMA: access, rules and map
Welder Flats WMA is 1,480 acres in Calhoun County, owned or managed by TPWD. It has no page in TPWD's 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands, so the Annual Public Hunting Permit alone does not open it to walk-in hunting. TPWD's page says its public waters are open to duck hunting from a boat. When it is open, in TPWD's words: The Welder Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is open year-round for saltwater fishing, duck hunting and wildlife viewing activities. Visitors do not need a permit to enter the WMA. The WMA is underwater in the San Antonio Bay. To get to the WMA is by boat. The water over the WMA is public waters. Any exposed dry land is privately owned and not part of the WMA. To hunt and fish on the public waters of the WMA, visitors must use a boat and have hunting and fishing licenses with associated stamps and endorsements.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: TPWD's page for Welder Flats WMA. Boundary: TPWD's WMA layer.
This areaOther public hunting landCounty lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,480 acres (TPWD); 1,381 acres mapped |
|---|---|
| County | Calhoun County |
| Walk-in hunting on the APH permit | No booklet page for 2026-27 |
| When it is open | The Welder Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is open year-round for saltwater fishing, duck hunting and wildlife viewing activities. Visitors do not need a permit to enter the WMA. The WMA is under |
| Area office | (361) 205-1510 |
| Towns | Seadrift (6 mi), Austwell (10 mi) and Port Lavaca (19 mi) |
| Highways | TX 185 (4.8 mi) |
What is Welder Flats WMA for?
Located in Calhoun County in the San Antonio Bay, Welder Flats WMA is 1,480 acres of submerged coastal wetlands. The General Land Office owns the WMA. The shoreline around the WMA is private property. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department manages the WMA to preserve the natural wetland and aquatic habitats of the area to support wildlife there.
The State of Texas uses the San Antonio Bay shoreline as fish hatcheries for red drum and spotted sea trout. The native grasses in the shallow water and fish in the Bay provide food for waterfowl, wading and shore birds. The Bay marshes attract the unique Whooping crane, to winter in Welder Flats WMA.
The WMA property is underwater tidal marshes. The water over the WMA is public waters. To get to the WMA is by boat only.
From TPWD's Welder Flats WMA page.
Can you hunt Welder Flats WMA?
Yes, for ducks on the area's public waters, by TPWD's page: The Welder Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is open year-round for saltwater fishing, duck hunting and wildlife viewing activities. To hunt and fish on the public waters of the WMA, visitors must use a boat and have hunting and fishing licenses with associated stamps and endorsements. It is not in the 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands.
TPWD's drawn hunts are listed in its Public Hunt Drawing System, by area and hunt category.
How do you get to Welder Flats WMA?
Welder Flats WMA lies in Calhoun County. Nearest towns: Seadrift (6 miles), Austwell (10 miles), Port Lavaca (19 miles) and Point Comfort (22 miles). Highways within 5 miles: TX 185 (4.8 miles).
Where can you hunt near Welder Flats WMA?
The closest places on the Annual Public Hunting Permit with a page of their own:
| Area | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Matagorda Island WMA | Calhoun | 3.2 mi |
| Guadalupe Delta WMA | Calhoun and Refugio | 11.2 mi |
| Mad Island WMA | Matagorda | 38.8 mi |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt Welder Flats WMA?
Yes, for ducks on the area's public waters, by TPWD's page: The Welder Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is open year-round for saltwater fishing, duck hunting and wildlife viewing activities. To hunt and fish on the public waters of the WMA, visitors must use a boat and have hunting and fishing licenses with associated stamps and endorsements. It is not in the 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands.
How big is Welder Flats WMA?
TPWD gives it as 1,480 acres; FilledTag measures 1,381 acres inside TPWD's WMA boundary.
Where is Welder Flats WMA?
In Calhoun County. Nearest towns: Seadrift (6 miles), Austwell (10 miles) and Port Lavaca (19 miles).
Where is the nearest walk-in public hunting to Welder Flats WMA?
Matagorda Island WMA, 3.2 mi away, on the Annual Public Hunting Permit.
Get a Texas hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Texas included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, hours and contact: TPWD, Welder Flats WMA.
- Boundary: TPWD WMA boundaries. Nearby public hunting: TPWD Public Hunt Locator map and TPWD 2026-27 Map Booklet.
- Counties, highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 and Gazetteer.
FilledTag is not part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.