Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge

Home

Lake Andes Refuge

Lake Andes Wetland Management District

Recreational Opportunities

A Place Where Eagles Soar

Bird List

Bird Photos

Additional Information

Karl Mundt National Wildlife Refuge

The Refuge was established in 1936 by Presidential Executive Order that authorized the purchase of 365 acres of land in the Owen's Bay area. Subsequent purchases of land have been made on a continuing basis. The meandered lake bed is protected by the terms of an easement secured by the U.S. Government from the State of South Dakota in 1939. The easement authorizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to flood the lake bed and maintain a closed refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife. However, a portion of the meandered lake bed is open to hunting.

Two dikes separate Lake Andes into three separate units, but the lack of a permanent water supply allows very little manipulation of water levels to encourage growth of aquatic foods or assure duck broods of adequate water in drier years. Only the Owen's Bay marsh, fed primarily by the waters from a free-flowing well, permits effective manipulation of water levels to maximize the bay's benefit to wildlife.

In January 1973, an outbreak of duck viral enteritis killed 40,000 ducks and geese that used the open water of Owen's Bay. This unfortunate die-off prompted major changes in the Unit's management program, including the redirection of water flowing from the artesian well during the winter months and the elimination of food crops previously grown for wintering flocks of ducks and geese. Over 350 acres of cropland were reseeded to native grass nesting cover and the area is now managed primarily for the production of waterfowl and various species of water birds.

Other wildlife species utilizing the Lake Andes Refuge include white-tailed deer, ring-necked pheasants, bald eagles, beaver, muskrats, and a wide variety of small mammals and song birds.

Wildlife observation, hunting, and fishing are the major attractions of Lake Andes during wet years. Visitors interested in wildlife observation can expect to find nearly any species of bird or mammal indigenous to the prairie pothole country. The spring and fall migration periods offer the greatest diversity of species; however, colonial-nesting eared grebes, black terns, and Franklin's gulls create a summer spectacular for birdwatchers. The south and center units of Lake Andes are open to fishing. When suitable water depths are present these areas sometimes offer good fishing for northern pike, perch, and bass. The center unit of Lake Andes is open to hunting. Duck and goose hunters find multitudes of waterfowl in the marshy habitat, while pheasant and deer hunters pursue their quarry along the brushy perimeter of the lake in low water years.

An educational interpretative area located at the northwest corner of the Owens Bay unit is open during daylight hours year-round. A nature trail meanders along the wooded lake shore, across marshlands in the prairie pond complex, and returns via native grassland uplands. Early morning or late afternoon walks along the nature trail offer visitors views of the blue-winged teal or of bobolinks singing territorial songs as they cling to the swaying stems of grassy plants. Guided tours are available to organized groups; however, prior arrangement must be made with the Refuge Manager. An accessible section of the trail leads to an observation platform where wildlife can be observed easily.