National Wildlife Refuge System
Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Wisconsin

This is the nation’s heartland—the great Midwest—where the Mississippi River, Father of Waters, rises and flows south, to be joined by the mighty Missouri and the great Ohio rivers. It is also the land of the Great Lakes, the largest inland freshwater seas on earth. Here, you will find great fishing. Refuge visitors will find northern pike, walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish and crappie. The north country and uplands also provide brown, rainbow and native brook trout, while the big rivers yield blue, channel and flathead catfish, some of which reach astonishing size.


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Popular Fish of the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region

Popular Fish of the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region

Illinois

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge

19031 E County Rd. 21 10N, Havana, IL 62644; (309) 535-2290; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33650. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Nearest community is Havana. Good access roads. The refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Nearest main highway is U.S. 136. Predominant species include bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. Lake Chautauqua is very shallow and large (at 4,300 acres).

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Crab Orchard Wildlife Refuge

8588 Rt. 148, Carterville, IL 62959; (618) 997-3344; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33610. Visitor Center hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, daily. Refuge is open at all times. Nearest highways are I-57 and Hwy. 13. Nearest communities are Marion and Carbondale. Refuge is open to fishing as regulations permit. Good access roads. Major available species include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, white bass, striped bass, rainbow trout and catfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge

0137 Rustic Campus Dr., Ullin, IL 62992; (618) 634-2231; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32630. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open dawn to dusk. Nearest main highways are U.S. 51 and U.S. 37. Nearest community is Ullin. Good access roads. The refuge has two boat ramps that provide access to an old channel of the Cache River. Predominant species include bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. Refuge includes state, federal and private lands. Angler access is provided on refuge and state lands.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge

19031 E County Rd. 21 10N, Havana, IL 62644; (309) 535-2290; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33654. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open dawn to dusk. Nearest community is Havana. Nearest main highway is U.S. 136. Emiquon NWR has one boat launch where visitors can launch into the Spoon River to fish and canoe. Species include bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie and catfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Great River National Wildlife Refuge

Long Island Division, P.O. Box 88, Annada, MO 63330; (573) 847-2333; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33640. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Access is primarily by boat along Mississippi River. Nearest main highway is IL Rt. 96. Nearest community is Quincy. Available species include crappie and channel catfish. Boat access to Long Island Lake and Indian Graves Lake is limited to times of high river levels. Anglers may walk to lakes at any time. Available species include largemouth bass, channel catfish, bullhead, bluegill, crappie and white bass.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Canoeing and kayaking

Meredosia National Wildlife Refuge

19031 E County Rd. 21 10N, Havana, IL 62644; (309) 535-2290; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33652. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open dawn to dusk. Nearest community is Meredosia. Nearest main highway is IL 104. Fishing is allowed on the state-managed Meredosia Lake. Boat access is provided at the north end of Beach Road. Species include bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie and catfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge

8588 Rt. 148, Marion, IL. 62959; (618) 997-3344; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33660. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. Good, fair and primitive access roads. Nearest main highway is U.S. 61. Nearest community is Quincy. Available species include largemouth bass, channel catfish, bullhead, bluegill, crappie, walleye, carp and white bass.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Primitive camping / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge

HCR 82, Box 107, Brussels, IL 62013; (618) 883-2524; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33621. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Some areas are closed October 15-December 31. Good access roads. Nearest community is Brussels. Nearest highway is Hwy. 100. Major species include crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish and carp.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Primitive camping / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Savanna District

7071 Riverview Rd., Thomson, IL 61285; (812) 273-2732; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32579. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open at all times. Good, fair and primitive access roads. Nearest community is Savannah. Nearest highway is Hwy. 84. Fishing season is year-round for walleye, sauger, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bullhead, channel catfish, crappie and sunfish below the dams, in sloughs and channels between islands. Most of the refuge's 20,000 acres are accessible only by boat. The refuge is located in 4 states and extends along 220 miles of the Mississippi River.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

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Indiana

Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge

1661 West JPG Niblo Rd., Madison, IN 47250; (812) 273-0783; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=31531. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Nearest highway is Hwy. 421. Nearest community is Madison. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Fishing is permitted on Old Timbers Lake. A random drawing is held at 7:00 am on days the refuge is open to fill the 25-boat limit for the lake. Only trolling motors or rowing/paddling are allowed. Available species include largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

12985 East U.S. Hwy. 50, Seymour, IN 47274; (812) 522-4352; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=31530. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is U.S. 50. Nearest community is Seymour. Stanfield Lake is open to fishing from hand-powered boats and canoes year-round. Other areas may be open from time to time. Boats may be launched only from the designated boat ramp. No motors are allowed. Bank fishing is not permitted from the dam, concrete water-control structure or riprap area. Available species include largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Wildlife Management Area

510 1/2 West Morton St., Oakland City, IN 47660; (812) 749-3199; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=31560. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open dawn to dusk. Nearest communities are Oakland City and Winslow. Nearest main highway is State Road 64. Refuge waters, including the Patoka River, South Fork and adjacent oxbow and overflow wetlands such as Snakey Point and Buck marshes, offer excellent fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and redear sunfish. Fishing is allowed during daylight hours.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available

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Iowa

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge

1434 316th Lane, Missouri Valley, IA 51555; (712) 642-4121; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33510. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm. Refuge is open daily 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Good access roads. Nearest main highways include Hwy. 30 and I-29. Nearest communities include Blair, NE, and Missouri Valley. Fishing season is April 15-October 14. Trotlines, float lines and seining for bait are prohibited. No more than 2 rigs and 2 hooks per line may be used. Special regulations include bass, 15-inch minimum size limit, 3-fish daily limit; northern pike, 24-inch minimum size limit, 3-fish daily limit. Bowfishing and spearfishing are permitted for non-game fish only. Available species include northern pike, largemouth bass, walleye, bullhead, carp, bluegill and crappie.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

Iowa Wetland Management District

1710 360th St., Titonka, IA 50480; (515) 928-2523; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33581. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. The Iowa WMD is managed by staff at the Union Slough NWR. Nearest communities are Titonka and Lakota. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 169. As they are in much of the prairie pothole region, fishing opportunities are limited and scattered through the 35-county district.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Information center

Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge

10728 County Rd. X61, Wapello, IA 52653; (319) 523-6982; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33630. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Nearest main highway is U.S. 61. Fair access roads. Nearest community is Wapello. Available species include largemouth bass, channel catfish, bullhead, bluegill, crappie and white bass.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Union Slough National Wildlife Refuge

1710 360th St., Titonka, IA 50480; (515) 928-2523; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33580. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is U.S. 169. Nearest communities are Titonka and Lakota. The fishing opportunities are marginal but are offered in accordance with refuge regulations. Major available species include bass, bluegill, bullhead, carp, catfish, crappie, northern pike, perch, sunfish and walleye. Only bank fishing is allowed.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, McGregor District

P.O. Box 460, McGregor, IA 52157; (563) 873-3423; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32579. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open at all times. Nearest community is McGregor. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 65. Good, fair and primitive access roads. Year-round fishing is allowed for walleye, sauger, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bullhead, channel catfish, crappie and sunfish below the dams, in sloughs and channels between islands. Most of the 20,000 acres of refuge are accessible only by boat. The refuge is located in 4 states and extends along 220 miles of the Mississippi River.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

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Michigan

Michigan Wetland Management District

2651 Coolidge Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823; (517) 351-4230; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=31731. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. All three sites are managed as a mixture of wetlands and grasslands to provide high-quality nesting and brood-rearing habitat for waterfowl and a variety of migratory songbirds. Thus there are very limited fishing opportunities. The Schlee Waterfowl Production Area is located on the north side of Page Road, approximately 6 miles east of U.S. 127 on the east side of Jackson. The Kinney Waterfowl Production Area is in southeast Van Buren County, approximately 3.5 miles south of Lawton, near the intersection of County Road 352 and 29th Street. The Schoonover Waterfowl Production Area, in western Lenawee County, is located on Medina Road, approximately 3 miles south of Hudson and 8 miles east of U.S. 127.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available

Seney National Wildlife Refuge

1674 Refuge Entrance Rd., Seney, MI 49883; (906) 586-9851; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=31510. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Nearest community is Germfask. Nearest main highway is M-77. Fair access roads. Available species are northern pike, yellow perch, brown bullhead, sunfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass and brook and brown trout. Fishing is permitted during daylight hours only. Ice fishing is permitted January 1-February 28 and summer fishing, May 15-September 30.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge

6975 Mower Rd., Saginaw, MI 48601; (989) 777-5930; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=31520. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Nearest highway is I-75. Nearest community is Saginaw. Major species of fish include white bass, walleye, channel catfish and carp. Fishing is allowed on navigable waters accessed from off-refuge launch sites. No fishing is permitted within enclosed (diked) waters. Open areas include Shiawassee, Cass and Tittabawassee Rivers. Walleye catch occurs primarily on the Tittabawassee River.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

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Minnesota

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

44843 County Rd. 19, Odessa, MN 56276; (320) 273-2191; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32640. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Nearest communities are Ortonville and Odessa. Good access roads. Nearest major highway is U.S. 75. Fishing along banks of the reservoir and the refuge's rivers-the Minnesota and the Yellowbank. Available species include northern pike, bullhead, smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. Boats must stay in the Minnesota River channel; only non-motorized boats or boats equipped with electric motors may be used.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Big Stone Wetland Management District

RR 1 Box 25, Odessa, MN 56276; (320) 273-2191; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32641. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Big Stone WMD headquarters office is co-located with the Big Stone NWR office. Nearest communities are Ortonville and Odessa. Nearest major highway is U.S. 75. The fishing opportunities on most wetland management districts are marginal but are offered in accordance with state seasons and regulations. Available species include northern pike, walleye, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass and sunfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District

26624 N. Tower Rd., Detroit Lakes, MN 56501; (218) 847-4431; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32586. Office hours, 7:30 am- 4:00 pm. Nearest community is Detroit Lakes. Nearest main highways are U.S. Hwys. 10 and 59. The fishing opportunities on most wetland management districts are marginal but are offered in accordance with state seasons and regulations. Available species include northern pike, walleye, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass and sunfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Hiking and nature trails / No motors for boating

Fergus Falls Wetland Management District

21932 State Hwy. 210 E., Fergus Falls, MN 56537; (218) 739-2291; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32585. Office hours, 7:00 am-3:30 pm. Nearest community is Fergus Falls. Nearest main highway is State Hwy. 210. The fishing opportunities on most wetland management districts are marginal but are offered in accordance with state seasons and regulations. Available species include northern pike, walleye, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass and sunfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

Litchfield Wetland Management District

22274 615th Ave., Litchfield, MN 55355; (320) 693-2849; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32588. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Nearest community is Litchfield. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 12. Due to the prairie pothole nature of the habitat and shallow seasonal wetlands and pools, fishing is extremely limited on lands managed by Litchfield WMD.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

3815 E. 80th St., Bloomington, MN 55425; (952) 854-5900; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32590. Visitor Center hours, 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is I-494. Nearest community is the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) metropolitan area. The refuge is located along a 39-mile stretch of the Minnesota River from Fort Snelling to Jordan. Major species include northern pike and carp. Boating is not permitted. Only bank fishing is allowed.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

Minnesota Wetland Management District

3815 E. 80th St., Bloomington, MN 55425; (952) 854-5900; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32591. District is open during daylight hours. Good access roads. State seasons apply. No motors are allowed on refuge waters. Major species include crappie, bullhead and northern pike.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available

Morris Wetland Management District

43875 230th St., Morris, MN 56267; (320) 589-1001; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32581. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Nearest community is Morris. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 59. The fishing opportunities on most wetland management districts are marginal but are offered in accordance with state seasons. Available species include northern pike, walleye, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass and sunfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge

36289 State Hwy. 65, McGregor, MN 55760; (218) 768-2402; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32540. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Nearest community is McGregor. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 65. Fishing season is in accordance with state seasons on Mandy Lake, Twin Lake and Rice River. Available species include northern pike and yellow perch. Only non-motorized or boats with electric motors are permitted. Ice fishing is allowed on Mandy Lake only.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

Rydell National Wildlife Refuge

17788 349th St. SE, Erskine, MN 56535; (218) 687-2229; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32583. Office hours, 7:30.am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset. Nearest communities are Erskine and Mentor. Nearest main highway is U.S. Hwy. 2. A fishing pier located on Tamarac Lake is open for fishing May 1-November 1. Available species include panfish, walleye, bass, northern pike, bullhead and carp. The pier can be accessed on foot or by bicycle (2 miles from the visitor center).

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

17076 293 Ave., Zimmerman, MN 55398; (763) 389-3323; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32550. Office hours, 7:30 am- 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is U.S. 169. Nearest community is Zimmerman. Fishing is permitted in the St. Francis River; non-motorized canoes only. Available species include northern pike, largemouth and smallmouth bass, sunfish, crappie, yellow perch, catfish and carp.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge

35704 County Rd. 26, Rochert, MN 56578; (218) 847-2641; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32560. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge open, 5:00 am-7:00 pm daily. Good and fair access roads. Nearest main highways are U.S. 10 and 59. Nearest community is Detroit Lakes. Fishing is permitted according to state, federal and White Earth Reservation regulations. Major species include walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Access to Two Island Lake is limited with no ramp. Large boats and trailers are allowed in North Tamarac and Wauboose Lake: gravel ramps at Lost and Blackbird lakes are not recommended for larger boats. No vehicles are permitted on the ice during ice-fishing season.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

Tamarac Wetland Management District

35704 County Rd. 26, Rochert, MN 56578; (218) 847-2641. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open 5:00 am-7:00 pm daily. Good and fair access roads. Nearest main highways are U.S. 10 and 59. Nearest community is Detroit Lakes. Fishing is permitted according to state, federal and White Earth Reservation regulations. Available species include walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Information center

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Winona District

51 E. 4th St., Room 101, Winona, MN 55987; (507) 452-4232; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32579. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open at all times. Nearest community is Winona. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 61. Good, fair and primitive access roads. Fishing season is year-round for walleye, sauger, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bullhead, channel catfish, crappie and sunfish below the dams, in sloughs and channels between islands. Most of the 20,000 acres of refuge are accessible only by boat. The refuge is located in 4 states and extends along 220 miles of the Mississippi River.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Windom Wetland Management District

49663 County Rd. 17, Windom, MN 56101; (507) 831-2220; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32587. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm Monday-Friday. Fishing opportunities on Windom WMD are very limited due to the seasonal water levels in this prairie region.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

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Missouri

Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

4200 New Haven Rd., Columbia, MO 65201; (573) 876-1826; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33590. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open 24 hours. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 63. Nearest community is Columbia. The river is currently accessible by vehicle at the Overton Bottoms North unit only; a boat ramp there also allows river access. At the Overton Bottoms unit, scour holes left behind by major floods provide good fishing for warm-water species. A 1-mile trail in the Jameson Island unit leads to the Missouri River, with good fishing. Fishing access is a considerable hike through thick vegetation in other units of the refuge. Fishing from a boat on the Missouri River is always allowed. Available species include largemouth bass, channel catfish, bullhead, bluegill, crappie and white bass.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 88, Annada, MO 63330; (573) 847-2333; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33643. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Nearest communities are Elsberry and Clarksville. Nearest highway is State Hwy. 79, part of the Great River Road. Fishing is permitted by boat in Bryants Creek. Fishing from the bank is prohibited. Access is by boat from Mississippi River. Available species include largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, bullhead, bluegill and carp.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching

Mingo National Wildlife Refuge

24279 State Hwy. 51, Puxico, MO 63960; (573) 222-3589; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33540. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 51. Nearest community is Puxico. Available species include largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. No motors are allowed.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Primitive camping / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 158, Mound City, MO 64470; (608) 442-3187; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33560. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is I-29. Nearest community is Mound City. Major species include carp and bullhead. Fishing is allowed from only the banks.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails

Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Rt. 1, Box 29A. Sumner, MO 64611; (660) 856-3323; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=33570. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 36. Nearest community is Sumner. Major species include carp, buffalo and bluegill. Fishing season is March 1-October 15. Boat motors on Silver Lake are restricted to 10 hp or less.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

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Ohio

Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge

14000 W. State Rt. 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449; (419) 894-0014; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=31541. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Good access roads. Nearest highway is Hwy. 2. Nearest community is Oregon. Major species of fish include channel catfish, largemouth bass and sunfish. Only bank fishing is allowed June 1-August 31. No motors are permitted.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available

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Wisconsin

Horicon National Wildlife Refuge

W4279 Headquarters Rd., Mayville, WI 53050; (920) 387-2658; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32520. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Nearest highway is Hwy. 49. Nearest community is Waupun. Marginal fishing is available for yellow perch, carp, bullhead and northern pike. Boating allowed only at the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area at the southern end of the Horicon Marsh.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

Leopold Wetland Management District

W10040 Cascade Mountain Rd., Portage, WI 53901; (608) 742-7100; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32525. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Nearest community is Portage. Nearest main highways are I-39 and I-90/94. The fishing opportunities on most wetland management districts are marginal but are offered in accordance with state seasons. Available species include northern pike, walleye, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass and sunfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / No motors for boating

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

W7996 20th St. W., Necedah, WI 54646; (608) 565-2551; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32530. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open during daylight hours only. Access roads range from primitive to good. Nearest highways are Hwys. 21 and 80. Nearest community is Necedah. Major available species include northern pike and bullhead. Fishing is permitted in Sprague-Mather and Goose pools, June 1-September 15 and December 15-March15. Fishing is permitted in Suk-Cerney Flowage year-round, except during the waterfowl hunting season. Boats without motors may be used in these pools. There are no boat ramps and hand-carry access only. Hand-propelled craft only are allowed in some areas. Non-motorized boats are permitted in Sprague and Goose Pools. Motorized boats are permitted only in Suk-Cerney Flowage.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

St. Croix Wetland Management District

1764 95th St., New Richmond, WI 54017; (715) 246-7784; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32577. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Nearest communities are New Richmond and Somerset. Nearest highway is Hwy. 64. The fishing opportunities on most wetland management districts are marginal, but are offered in accordance with state seasons. Available species include northern pike, walleye, crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and sunfish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge

W28488 Refuge Rd., Trempealeau, WI 54661; (608) 539-2311; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32578. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Nearest highway is Hwy. 35. Nearest community is Trempealeau. Available species include bullhead, bluegill, largemouth bass, northern pike and yellow perch. Ice fishing is permitted in season. Boat fishing is permitted the first Saturday in May until freeze-up, electric motors only.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, LaCrosse District

555 Lester Ave., Onalaska, WI 54650; (608) 783-8405; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32579. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open at all times. Good, fair and primitive access roads. Nearest community is Lacrosse. Nearest highway is Hwy. 35. Fishing season is year-round for walleye, sauger, largemouth and smallmouth bass, yellow perch, bullhead, channel catfish, crappie and sunfish below the dams, in sloughs and channels between islands. Most of the 20,000 acres of refuge are accessible only by boat. The refuge is located in 4 states and extends along 220 miles of the Mississippi River.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge

Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, 29270 County Highway G, Ashland, WI 54806; (715) 685-2678; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=32620. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Nearest highways are State Hwy. 13 and U.S. Hwy. 2. Fishing is allowed within Whittlesey Creek. Trout and salmon are the preferred game fish.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

Last updated: October 7, 2008
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