Welcome to The Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge! The Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and includes Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge and Lake Andes Wetland Management District. Along the Missouri River, bald eagles take shelter from winter weather. Some eagles remain in the warmer months to nest and raise their young.

Visit Us

The Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge protects one of the most critical bald eagle winter roosts in the country and provides important habitat for 100-300 bald eagles. To protect the eagles from disturbance, the Refuge itself is closed to visitors. However, interpretive panels located on Eagle Drive provide information about the Refuge as well as provides a great wildlife overlook.

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Located along the Missouri River below Fort Randall Dam, Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge is managed to provide habitat for bald eagles. This Refuge’s story began in 1967, when a biologist counted 283 bald eagles wintering in this area. At the time, the bald eagle populations outside of Alaska were declining rapidly. In 1974, the National Wildlife Federation donated these lands to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the first national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
      A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

      Learn more about national wildlife refuge
      for bald eagles was established. The new Refuge was named after the late Karl E. Mundt, a South Dakota Senator who was a strong supporter of the Endangered Species Act of 1966.
      Today, the Refuge protects one of the last remnants of natural habitat along the Missouri River, and it benefits more than bald eagles. 

      What We Do

      Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The refuge provides important habitat for neotropical migratory birds that require riparian riparian
      Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

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      forest to migrate and nest. 

      Our Organization

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.

      Our Species

      Bald eagle up close with wing raised

      A large raptor, the bald eagle has a wingspread of about seven feet. Adults have a dark brown body and wings, white head and tail, and a yellow beak. Juveniles are mostly brown with white mottling on the body, tail, and undersides of wings. Adult plumage usually is obtained by the sixth year. In...

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