Home › Wisconsin › Public land › Upper Mississippi River Refuge
Wildlife refuge, west-central Wisconsin
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge hunting notes
80,794 acres of wildlife refuge in La Crosse, Grant, Crawford, Buffalo and 2 more counties, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: Joe Passe (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
Parking, trailheads and gates near Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
- Fred Funk Boat LandingBoat ramp · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
- GateGate · 2.3 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Upper Mississippi River Refuge, by its record
Count Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge among the refuges of La Crosse, Grant, Crawford, Buffalo and 2 more counties. It falls in the DNR West Central Region, west-central Wisconsin. The Fish and Wildlife Service manages the land. By size (80,794 acres) it is number 1 among 7 refuges on our list. Head southwest from Brice Prairie for about 2 miles. 3 smaller units sit inside it, each with its own page.
From the source page (FWS Realty GIS acres of the Wisconsin portion); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
Zone lines at Upper Mississippi River Refuge
Deer rules follow the Southern Farmland and Central Farmland zones and La Crosse, Crawford, Grant, Buffalo and 2 more units. 2026 antlerless quotas in the 6 units range 4,000-10,000. In Bear Zone E the DNR drew 2,628 permits for a target of 185 bears; drawn hunters needed 1 point. Turkey Zone 1: 64,574 spring authorizations in 2025 and 21% hunter success. La Crosse, Grant, Crawford, Buffalo and 2 more counties are on the CWD list: a positive wild deer has been found. Deer may not be baited or fed in La Crosse, Grant, Crawford, Buffalo and 2 more counties.
Upper Mississippi River Refuge deer management units
| DMU | Zone | 2026 antlerless | Public bonus | Private bonus | Free per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Crosse | Central Farmland | 4,000 | 397 | 1,191 | 3 |
| Crawford | Southern Farmland | 4,000 | 350 | 1,000 | 3 |
| Grant | Southern Farmland | 6,500 | 750 | 3,000 | 2 |
| Buffalo | Central Farmland | 4,300 | 167 | 744 | 3 |
| Vernon | Southern Farmland | 10,000 | 400 | 1,300 | 3 |
| Trempealeau | Central Farmland | 4,800 | 241 | 994 | 3 |
Bear, turkey, grouse and waterfowl lines through Upper Mississippi River Refuge
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear E | No hound hunting | 185 target, 2,628 permits | 1 point | 128 bears in 2025 |
| Bear F | No hound hunting | 50 target, 764 permits | 1 point | 27 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 1 | 64,574 spring tags (2025) | 21% success | 13,813 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse B | Oct 17–Dec 8 | 2 a day | ||
| Grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Ducks | Southern | Oct 3–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 | ||
| Canada geese | Mississippi River | — | ||
| Canada geese | Southern | Sep 16–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 Dec 19–Jan 2 | ||
| Wolf zone 6 | Closed | Federal protection |
Zones from the DNR zone layers as recorded in lands.json; quotas and bonus tags from the 2026 antlerless quota table; bear figures from the 2026 bear drawing summary and 2025 bear harvest; turkey from the 2025 spring turkey report; CWD and baiting lists from the DNR. Checked October 19, 2026.
Hunting Upper Mississippi River Refuge within the rules
Who may hunt Upper Mississippi River Refuge
Hunting follows state seasons with refuge rules (50 CFR 32.42(r)): no hunting March 16-Aug. 31 (except spring turkey); "Closed Areas" and "No Hunting Zones" posted with orange-topped signs; voluntary waterfowl avoidance areas mid-Oct to mid-Nov; temporary blinds of natural material allowed; equipment removed daily; nontoxic shot for upland game and turkey; no open-water waterfowl hunting in Pool 11 river miles 586-592 (Grant County).
Statewide rules that reach Upper Mississippi River Refuge
Wisconsin asks for 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink above the waist in firearm deer seasons, archers included, waterfowlers not. Registration through GameReg closes at 5 p.m. on the day after recovery.
Upper Mississippi River Refuge license list
Residents often take the Conservation Patron, which bundles the hunting licenses. Antlerless tags on public land must be public-access tags.
Upper Mississippi River Refuge: refuges and closures
Upper Mississippi River Refuge carries 21 posted restrictions.
| Area | Rule | Dates | Acres | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bertom Island | No Entry – Sanctuary (no hunting) | Pool 11 | 31 | |
| Big Lake | Area Closed (no migratory bird hunting; upland/big game after state duck season) | Pool 4 | 2,210 | |
| Weaver Bottoms/Lost Island | Area Closed (no migratory bird hunting; upland/big game after state duck season) | Pool 5 | 3,508 | |
| Polander Lake | Area Closed (no migratory bird hunting; upland/big game after state duck season) | Pool 5A | 1,873 | |
| Lake Onalaska | Area Closed (no migratory bird hunting; upland/big game after state duck season) | Pool 7 | 7,366 | |
| Wisconsin Islands | Area Closed (no migratory bird hunting; upland/big game after state duck season) | Pool 8 | 6,538 | |
| Harpers Slough | Area Closed (no migratory bird hunting; upland/big game after state duck season) | Pool 9 | 5,209 | |
| Wisconsin River Delta | Area Closed (no migratory bird hunting; upland/big game after state duck season) | Pool 10 | 1,414 | |
| Bertom-McCartney | Area Closed (no migratory bird hunting; upland/big game after state duck season) | Pool 11 | 2,384 | |
| Peterson Lake | Area Closed – No Motors | Pool 4 | 572 | |
| Rieck's Lake | Area Closed – No Motors | Pool 4 | 499 | |
| Spring Lake | Area Closed – No Motors | Pool 5 | 254 | |
| Sturgeon Slough | Area Closed – No Motors | Pool 10 | 340 | |
| Buffalo River | No Hunting Zone | Pool 4 | 219 | |
| Fountain City Bay | No Hunting Zone | Pool 5A | 24 | |
| Upper Halfway Creek Marsh | No Hunting Zone | Pool 7 | 143 | |
| Brice Prairie Tract | No Hunting Zone | Pool 7 | 186 | |
| Hunter's Point | No Hunting Zone | Pool 8 | 82 | |
| Goose Island | No Hunting Zone | Pool 8 | 984 | |
| Sturgeon Slough | No Hunting Zone | Pool 10 | 66 | |
| Amann Tract | No Hunting Zone | Pool 7 | 0 |
Access from the source page; closures from the DNR closed and restricted areas layer; stocking and dove fields from the DNR upland bird layers; rules from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 regulations; prices from Go Wild. Checked October 19, 2026.
Upper Mississippi River Refuge: the game on record
The source names ducks and geese, whitetails, wild turkeys, squirrels, cottontails and hares, mourning doves and raccoons, foxes and coyotes for Upper Mississippi River Refuge.
Ducks and geese
White-tailed deer
Wild turkey
Small game
Mourning dove
Furbearers
Every other open season that reaches La Crosse County applies too, within the property rules.
Species from the property record (species named by the source); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Upper Mississippi River Refuge hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
21 species and 46 segments reach Upper Mississippi River Refuge. The last column compares each one with today.
| Quarry | Season | Zone | From | To | Status today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery and crossbow | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth/disabled gun hunt | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun deer (9-day) | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Metro sub-unit gun | Metro sub-unit: La Crosse | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | December antlerless hunt | Statewide | Dec 10, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt | Holiday Hunt: La Crosse | Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Extended archery and crossbow | Extended archery | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone E | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Elk | Elk, all weapons | Central Elk Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 1 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 1 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 1 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 1 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 1 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 1 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 1 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 1 | May 26, 2027 | Jun 1, 2027 | |
| Ruffed Grouse | Ruffed grouse | Grouse Zone A | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Ruffed Grouse | Ruffed grouse | Grouse Zone B | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Pheasant | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite Quail | Bobwhite quail | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Hungarian partridge | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Squirrel | Squirrel | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Cottontail rabbit | Southern cottontail zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe hare | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| American Crow | Crow | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Mar 24, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Youth waterfowl hunt | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck (split 1) | Southern Duck Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck (split 2) | Southern Duck Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 1) | Southern Goose Zone | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 1) | Mississippi River Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 2) | Southern Goose Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 2) | Mississippi River Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 5, 2027 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (holiday split) | Southern Goose Zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon (resident) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon (nonresident) | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red and gray fox | Fox (red and gray) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Coyote (hunting) | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 1 | North of Hwy. 64 | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 1 | South of Hwy. 64 | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 2 | North of Hwy. 64 | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 2 | South of Hwy. 64 | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Unprotected species | Unprotected species | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fall 2026-Spring 2027 hunting regulations and season dates, checked October 19, 2026.
The land at Upper Mississippi River Refuge
This is the agency description, quoted.
Stretches 261 river miles from Wabasha, MN to Rock Island, IL; more than 240,000 acres in MN, WI, IA and IL. Wisconsin shore: Pools 4-11 (Winona, La Crosse and McGregor districts). Pool maps 4-14 show closed areas and sanctuaries.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Upper Mississippi River Refuge, unit by unit
The 3 parts of Upper Mississippi River Refuge total 81,449 acres.
| Page | Type | County | Acres | Listed game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Mississippi River Refuge Winona District | Refuge district | Buffalo, La Crosse | 37,789 | waterfowl, deer, turkey |
| Upper Mississippi River Refuge McGregor District | Refuge district | Crawford, Grant | 23,685 | waterfowl, deer, turkey |
| Upper Mississippi River Refuge La Crosse District | Refuge district | La Crosse, Vernon | 19,975 | waterfowl, deer, turkey |
Deer, bears and CWD around Upper Mississippi River Refuge
Last full season (2025) the La Crosse County unit gave up 4,515 deer. Since 2016 the yearly total has ranged from 3,396 (2017) to 4,515 (2025). So far in 2026 (preliminary, Oct. 19): La Crosse 207 deer, Crawford 245 deer and Grant 304 deer. In CWD year 2025, 154 La Crosse County deer were tested and 1 came back positive. Since 1999: 2,083 sampled, 3 positive. Bear hunters registered 1 bears in La Crosse County in 2025. Property-level harvest does not exist for Upper Mississippi River Refuge; county numbers stand in.
Deer table, La Crosse County
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,911 | 2,604 | 4,515 |
| 2024 | 1,757 | 2,282 | 4,039 |
| 2023 | 1,848 | 2,238 | 4,086 |
| 2022 | 1,812 | 2,114 | 3,926 |
| 2021 | 1,669 | 1,875 | 3,544 |
| 2020 | 1,812 | 2,033 | 3,845 |
CWD results near Upper Mississippi River Refuge
| CWD year | Sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 19 | 2 |
| 2025 | 154 | 1 |
| 2024 | 140 | 0 |
| 2023 | 159 | 0 |
| 2022 | 139 | 0 |
| 2021 | 136 | 0 |
Bear table, La Crosse County
| Season | Total bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Deer from DNR Deer Metrics harvest history and the 2026 harvest to date; CWD from the DNR CWD summary; bears from the DNR bear harvest reports. Checked October 19, 2026.
Where Upper Mississippi River Refuge hunters stay and shop
Every town listed has a hunting guide of its own on this site.
| Town | County | Distance | Population | Public ground (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brice Prairie | La Crosse | 1.6 mi | — | 23,918 |
| Holmen | La Crosse | 4.7 mi | 11,866 | 23,671 |
| French Island | La Crosse | 5.1 mi | — | 22,863 |
| Trempealeau | Trempealeau | 7.8 mi | 1,856 | 27,422 |
County hunting overviews: La Crosse County, Grant County, Crawford County, Buffalo County, Vernon County, Trempealeau County.
Upper Mississippi River Refuge: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for Upper Mississippi River Refuge
La Crosse County is served by the DNR La Crosse Service Center.
Towns and populations from the Census 2024 estimates; public acres within 10 miles from the land layers; businesses from store locators and listings (license-only agents left out); offices from DNR, USFS and USFWS pages. Checked October 19, 2026. Call ahead.
The closest public land to Upper Mississippi River Refuge
Upper Mississippi River Refuge is the large pin, with 10 neighbours around it. Their acreage adds up to 7,849.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great River | State trail | 256 | 2.2 mi | northeast |
| Great River Trail Prairies | State natural area | 33 | 2.4 mi | north |
| Van Loon Floodplain Forest | State natural area | 317 | 5.2 mi | north |
| Mississippi Islands | Wildlife area | 60 | 5.2 mi | northwest |
| Trempealeau Lakes | Fishery area | 169 | 6.9 mi | northwest |
| Van Loon | Wildlife area | 4,044 | 7.4 mi | north |
| La Crosse Marsh Natural Resource Area | DNR property | 135 | 7.5 mi | southeast |
| Trempealeau | Fishery area | — | 7.8 mi | northwest |
| Van Loon Floodplain Savanna | State natural area | 1,574 | 8.8 mi | north |
| Perrot | State park | 1,261 | 10 mi | northwest |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (FWS National Realty FWSInterest_Simplified_Authoritative (centroid of Wisconsin portion) (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside))). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
DNR shooting hours for Upper Mississippi River Refuge
Wisconsin prints its shooting hours as tables. For deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey the day runs from 30 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after sunset; migratory birds and spring turkey stop at sunset.
| When | Event | North | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Bow, turkey, grouse opener | 6:11 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:55 a.m. to 6:37 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:16 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:44 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:56 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:15 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:17 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
Deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey table times from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources shooting hours tables, plus the Zone E offset of 16 minutes for longitude 91.32 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge: nearest ranges
Viola Sportsman's Club in Vernon County is the nearest DNR-map range, 43 miles out. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
rifle, trap, shotgun, air gun, smallbore rimfire on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Upper Mississippi River Refuge: the questions that come up
What are the bear rules around Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
It is in Bear Zone E, target 185 bears in 2026.
Can I shoot antlerless deer on Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
Southern Farmland and Central Farmland zones; unit La Crosse, Crawford and Grant. 4,000, 4,000, 6,500, 4,300, 10,000 and 4,800 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Which duck and goose zones cover Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
Use the Southern duck dates and the Mississippi River and Southern goose dates. Regular duck hunting in the Southern Zone starts Oct 3.
What turkey tag do I need for Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 1 and a period A-F.
What does the orange rule mean at Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
Does the baiting ban cover Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
Banned in La Crosse, Grant, Crawford and Buffalo counties. La Crosse, Grant, Crawford and Buffalo counties has had CWD-positive wild deer.
How do I get permission to hunt Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
A regular Wisconsin license from Go Wild (gun deer $24 for residents); antlerless deer need a public-access tag.
Is there a check station for Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
Which properties are close to Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
Nearest on the list: Great River State Trail (2 miles), Great River Trail Prairies State Natural Area (2 miles) and Van Loon Floodplain Forest State Natural Area (5 miles).
Where is hunting not allowed on Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
There are 21 closed or restricted zones; see the property map.
Whose property is Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
The Fish and Wildlife Service oversees this national wildlife refuge with a hunt program.
Does Upper Mississippi River Refuge have separate units?
3 units, including Upper Mississippi River Refuge – La Crosse District, Upper Mississippi River Refuge – McGregor District and Upper Mississippi River Refuge – Winona District.
In which Wisconsin county is Upper Mississippi River Refuge?
Brice Prairie is closest (2 miles); the property is in La Crosse, Grant, Crawford, Buffalo and 2 more counties.
Upper Mississippi River Refuge: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the Upper Mississippi River Refuge map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: USFWS: hunting · USFWS: rules policies · USFWS: upper mississippi river · eCFR: section 32.42 · FWS realty layer; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); Virginia State Parks staff (CC BY 2.0).