Refuge auto tour off Hwy 49 is open to vehicles.
Visitor Center: Temporarily closed.
America the Beautiful passes will not be available until Jan 1 2022.
Discovery Trail open for hiking and porta potty available.
Main Dike Rd: now open to vehicles as well as hiking and bicycling
Old Marsh Rd: currently closed for hiking and bicycling.
Refuge open for fishing at bank fishing locations (Main Dike Road, Ledge Road, and Peachy Road).
See maps for more information.
Please remember to practice social distancing and avoid trails and parking areas that may be experiencing higher visitor use. Stay safe and enjoy!
For more information email horicon@fws.gov or call 920-387-2658.
Refuge Map
Public Programs and Events
*PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE OFFERING LIMITED EVENTS AND PROGRAMS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
CANCELLED: 5K RUN/WALK FOR WILDLIFE - OCTOBER 9TH, 2021.
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Fall 2021 Migration Report
9/15/2021
This week is the first week of waterbird surveys at the Refuge for the 2021 fall migration. The Refuge manages 18 separate impoundments. Each impoundment has different water levels to create the necessary habitat and feeding conditions for migrating waterbirds. Current water levels and weather conditions are very typical for late September.
Canada goose numbers are low with around 1000 on the Refuge. These are local Canada geese. Migrants have not started to arrive. Farmers are starting fall harvest – mainly chopping corn silage. Geese may be found in surrounding fields that were harvested.
Dabbling ducks were most numerous on this week’s survey – around 20,000. The top 4 species seen in the thousands were blue-winged teal, mallards, green-winged teal, and wigeon. Others seen in the hundreds included wood ducks, shovelers, and gadwall.
Diving duck numbers are very low right now – less than 200. Small groups of ruddy ducks may be seen in open water areas.
Other sightings to note:
Large rafts of coot – in the hundreds – are grouping up for migration.
Pied-billed grebes – in groups of 10-15 were seen all over the Refuge.
Ring-billed gulls are migrating through the area in large numbers. Nearly 1500 were counted on the Refuge.
Pelicans and cormorants began migration several weeks ago. We are down to several hundred of each.
The best viewing of waterfowl this week is along the auto tour route. Check out the last impoundment on the right- before the exit. Several thousand ducks were seen including teal, mallards, shovelers, wigeon and wood ducks. You might even spot some shorebirds hanging out in the shallowest water.
Happy Birding!
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Bird Checklist
Unit maps and auction information.
Visitor Activities