Public Use Opportunities and Visitor Regulations

Public Use Opportunities

Compatible wildlife-oriented activities such as:

• Fishing

• Hunting: one deer hunts in 2007

• Photography

• Wildlife Observation

• Interpretation

• Environmental Education

allow people to enjoy the wildlife of the restored floodplain forest and adjacent grasslands. Visitors can enjoy two nature trails and two education pavilion shelters located along 2 miles of paved roads through the Refuge. Parking areas, rest rooms, and fishing piers are accessible. 

Please contact the refuge for more information, regarding above mentioned opportunities at (402) 468-4313 or send us an email at boyerchute@fws.gov. 

Boyer Chute NWR is a special place for wildlife and people. Yet, as a wildlife refuge, it is a place where the needs of wildlife and habitat come first. Regulations are established to provide wildlife and their habitats with adequate protection from visitors. By observing the following rules, the Refuge becomes an enjoyable place for visitors and the wildlife they came to enjoy.

Visitor Regulations

• The Refuge is open one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. It is a day-use only area. The entrance gate is locked at dusk.

• An Iowa or Nebraska fishing license is required to fish on the Refuge. Both State and Federal regulations apply. Bow fishing is permitted. Only personally attended hook and line fishing is permitted. Bait digging, seigning, and collecting frogs and clams are prohibited. Ice fishing is prohibited on the Refuge.

• Boating is not permitted on the chute because of strong currents, objects in the water, and low clearance of the mid-chute bridge. 

• Swimming is not permitted in the chute because of strong currents, objects in the water, and deep holes.

• Open fires are prohibited.

• Camping is not allowed on the Refuge

• Fireworks and all weapons are prohibited on the Refuge.

• Alcohol is prohibited on the Refuge.

• Pets are not permitted on the Refuge.

• Travel off designated roads, trails, and into "closed areas" is prohibited. Snowmobiles, ATVs, and other unlicensed vehicles are prohibited on the Refuge.

• Taking or introducing plants or animals on the Refuge is prohibited.

• Pack out what you pack in. To control costs, trash receptacles are not provided. Please leave the area cleaner than you found it.