Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge

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Onalaska, WI
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge

Visit our official website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/upper-mississippi-river

The refuge is located along the Mississippi River in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois and is divided into management districts, overseen by a headquarters office in Winona, MN. Find out more about each district here: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_Mississippi_River/visit/plan_your_visit.html

Headquarters (Winona, MN):
Winona District, Pools 4-6: 507 454 7351
La Crosse District, Pools 7

-8: 608 779 2399
McGregor District, Pools 9-11: 608 326 0515
Savanna District, Pools 12-14: 815 273 2732

06/11/2026

It's time for the Refuge Relayyyyy!! Earn a FREE iron-on patch celebrating America's 250th Anniversary by visiting three of 15 locations across the Upper Missississippi River Refuge and Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. More details in the event post here: https://fb.me/e/4HjbUGxFg

Photo: The Refuge Relay patch design features the Freedom 250 logo, by USFWS.

06/10/2026

Today, more than 300 bald eagle nests line the refuge river corridor, a testament to decades of
conservation and the resilience of our national symbol. Bald eagles thrive here thanks to the strong hardwood floodplain forest trees that support their massive nests and the nearby waters that provide an abundant fish supply.

Each year, visitors gather along our shared landscapes and rivers for a chance to see an eagle in flight, connecting generations through a common symbol of freedom and renewal. As we
commemorate America's 250th anniversary, bald eagles reflect how our unity is rooted in the wildlife and waters that sustain us all.

Photo: The first bald eagle pair to successfully raise young on what was then the "McGregor District" were documented near Reno, Minn. in 1969. Photo by USFWS.

06/04/2026

The Queen Common Eastern Bumblebees ( Bombus impatiens) are loving the Large-flowered Beardtongue (Penstemon grandiflorus) that was part of a supplemental seeding at Wabasha Prairie near Kellog, MN. Photo: a bumblebee sits on a purple flower by USFWS Jennie Froehly.

05/27/2026

Volunteers have always been at the heart of conservation on the refuge, giving their
time and energy to protect the wild places that define our nation. From planting native trees
to restore habitat and cleaning our rivers, their work reflects a shared commitment to
caring for America’s natural legacy. As we celebrate 250 years of our nation, we recognize
that conservation is patriotism, an act of stewardship for future generations.

Looking back to the refuge’s beginnings in 1924 and ahead to its future, volunteers continue to shape and sustain this landscape. Their dedication reminds us that protecting wildlife and wild places is a responsibility we all share. We are so thankful for our refuge volunteers, Friends Group volunteers and many conservation partner organizations who give their time and hearts to this special place!

Photo: Young volunteers mapping and checking wood duck boxes in the Nelson Trevino bottoms near Winona, Minn in 1983. This box held a sleeping raccoon! By USFWS.

05/21/2026

It is baby season! This killdeer mom with her chick will fake a broken wing to draw predators away from her young and then fly away before she becomes lunch. Keep an eye out for ducklings, goslings, and chicks all along the river. Photo: a killdeer chick and adult walk along the ground by Dave Campbell.

05/15/2026

Post a clever caption for this photo! Snapping turtles like this one are climbing out of the mud to catch some rays as the days are starting to get warmer. Photo: a turtle sits on a gravel surface with mud covering its shell. Photo by Dave Campbell

05/11/2026

Kids ages 5-12 are invited to fish for FREE over at Genoa National Fish Hatchery and Great River Road Interpretive Center this Saturday, May 16! More details in their post below.

05/04/2026

Join us for a FREE film screening and FREE bird walk this week!
Wed. May 6, 6:40 p.m. - Winona, Minn. - 6:40pm- Join the Friends of the Refuge Headwaters for a free screening of Spirit of the Driftless: Preserving our Legacy, at the Sobieski Lodge, 965 7th St, Winona, MN 55987. The film will be introduced by retired Deputy Refuge Manager, Tim Yager and followed by a short question and answer session. Doors will open at 6:40pm and the screening begins at 7pm. This short documentary by Sustainable Driftless, Inc. captures breath-taking aerial views of the Refuge! More details on the Friends' page here: https://www.facebook.com/friendsrefugeheadwaters

Wed. May 6, 6:00pm - Stoddard, Wisc. - Join Refuge staff, the Friends of the Refuge - Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8, and Audubon Upper Mississippi River for a FREE guided bird walk at Goose Island County Park! We'll look and listen for birds as we ramble along a mowed/gravel trail in the floodplain forest. More details on our event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/947666531000558 NOTE: there is road construction on WI Highway 35 and you may need to leave a little extra time to arrive. If you're running late, you should be able to easily catch up to the group.

Photo: A blue-winged warbler perches in a tree canopy by H.Schulz/USFWS.

04/29/2026

We're so thankful for our Friends Groups! Check out these FREE events going on in Onalaska, WI; Lansing, AI; and Desoto, WI this weekend:

Sat. May 2 - Onalaska, Wisconsin - Join the Friends of the Refuge - Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8 in welcoming artist Collen Shore and friends who'll be painting along the Refuge's La Crosse District Visitor Center trails from 11am to 2pm. Stop by to engage with them as they paint and check out the "Feathered Friends" exhibit in the Prairie Wind Nature Store. N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska, WI 54650 https://www.facebook.com/share/1KB143vZWj/

Sat. May 2 - Lansing, IA - Join the Friends Of Pool 9 and Allamakee County Conservation at the Driftless Area Education and Visitor Center at 1:30pm for "Turtle Talk" featuring live turtles, by Rebecca Christoffel! 1944 Columbus Road, Lansing, IA 52151

Sun. May 3 - Desoto, WI - If you missed the Turtle Talk on Saturday, join the Friends Of Pool 9 as they welcome back Rebecca Christoffel to present about turtles at 1:30 pm at the Desoto Community Center, off of Highway 35 near Desoto, WI.

Stay tuned for more fun activities happening next week!
Photos by USFWS, Friends of the Refuge - Mississippi River Pools 7 and 8.

Address

N5727 County Road Z
Onalaska, WI
54650

Telephone

+16087792399

Website

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/upper-mississippi-river

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