Availability of trapping permits for the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
In consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge will be issuing Special Use Permits and trap tags remotely only. No Special Use Permits or trap tags will be issued in person at Refuge offices. All permits will be issued through the mail.
Special Use Permit applications and Special Use Permits are available online at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_Mississippi_River/trapping.html.
Those who are interested in trapping on the Refuge in 2020/2021 should:
1) Complete all the highlighted sections of the Special Use Permit application and sign the application on line 31.
2) Sign line 12 of the Special Use Permit.
3) Prepare a check or money order made out to “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” in the amount of $30 for an adult or $5 if under the age of 18. Do not send cash, only a personal check or money order will be accepted.
4) Place items 1 through 3 in a stamped and addressed envelope and mail to the appropriate district office:
• For Pools 4, 5, 5A and 6 - Winona District, 102 Walnut Street, Suite 205, Winona, MN 55987
• For Pools 7 and 8 - La Crosse District, N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska, WI 54650
• For Pools 9, 10 and 11 - McGregor District, 470 Cliffhaven Road, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
• For Pools 12, 13 and 14 - Savanna District, 7071 Riverview Rd, Thomson, IL 61285.
Upon receipt of an application package, the application will be reviewed for completeness. If determined to be complete and the individual applying is in “good standing” (i.e. no recent violations of fish and game laws, compliance with submission of last year’s fur catch report), Refuge staff will sign the special use permit and return the permit with 40 trap tags to the applicant.
Those who have any questions may contact Deputy Refuge Manager Tim Yager at 507-450-3283. Additional information can also be found in the Refuge’s Furbearer Management Plan available on the Refuge website at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/upper_mississippi_river/ or by contacting one of the District offices.
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is the most visited refuge in the United States. The refuge extends 261 miles along the Upper Mississippi River from Wabasha, MN to Rock Island, IL, protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish and a variety of other wildlife. This 240,000 acre refuge was established in 1924.
