Welcome to Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge! Located in South Dakota, these lands and waters are vitally important to the nation’s migratory bird populations – waterbirds and songbirds nest here in great numbers.
Trail Under Construction

The Owens Bay Nature Trail is under temporary construction to improve and repair part of the trail. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office 605-546-8156.

Visit Us

This 5,639-acre refuge includes Lake Andes, a 4,700-acre lake created by the last ice age. Each spring and fall, thousands of waterfowl and other waterbirds migrate through this region, taking advantage of the nutritious food found in the wetlands. In addition, many waterfowl find the combination of grasslands and wetlands on this landscape ideal for nesting and raising their young.

Location and Contact Information

      Lake Andes NWR Office
      New Office Location and New Phone Number

      We are no longer occupying our temporary location in Pickstown. We have moved back onto the Lake Andes NWR between our Day Use Area and the Maintenance Shop, located at 38741 291st ST, Lake Andes, SD 57356. We have a new phone number also 605-546-8156. Please call the office if further information is needed. 

      About Us

      Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge is a place of wetlands, grasslands, and riverside forests. During spring and fall migrations, clouds of waterfowl and shorebirds darken the sky. Because of its tremendous value to waterfowl and other migratory birds, President Franklin Roosevelt established Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge with a Presidential Executive Order in 1936. Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge is somewhat unique as a refuge because most of the lake bottom is owned by the State of South Dakota. However, the State has granted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the authority to manage water levels and maintain habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife.

      What We Do

      Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. To provide high quality migratory bird habitat on the Owens Bay area of Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge, staff intensively manage water levels. 

      Services

      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 Library

      Lake Andes Complex Brochure

      Projects and Research