Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge

Soaring overhead, a bald eagle dives to catch a walleye from the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The 261-mile refuge is the longest in the U.S. excluding Alaska. The refuge begins at the confluence of the Chippewa River near Wabasha, Minnesota, and ends near Rock Island, Illinois. The refuge lies within four states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. The river was free-flowing until a series of locks and dams were constructed in the 1930s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Over half of the lands managed by the refuge are owned by the Corps. Today, over 233,000 acres of wooded islands, marshes, and backwaters comprise the Upper Miss Refuge. The refuge provides migratory habitat for a large percentage of the migratory birds in the Mississippi Flyway. Tundra swans and canvasback ducks use the refuge as a resting and feeding area in the spring and fall.

There are four district offices and a main headquarters. The headquarters and Winona District office are located in the Exchange Building on 4th Street in Winona, Minnesota. From Highway 61, turn north on Huff street until it intersects with 4th Street; turn right. The Exchange Building is on the right-hand side of the road. The LaCrosse District office is located in Onalaska, Wisconsin. From I-90, Exit 4, travel south on Highway 53/157. At the lights, turn left onto Highway 16 . At the next stop sign, turn left onto Braund Street, then right onto County Road PH. Turn left onto Lester Avenue. The Office and Resource Center is at 555 Lester Avenue. The McGregor District office is located at 401 Business Hwy 18 N, between the towns of McGregor and Marquette, Iowa.The Savanna District office is located south of Savanna, Illinois. From Savanna, head south on Route 84 for 3.5 miles, turn right onto Riverview Road. Travel 0.5 miles to the office and visitor center.