Welcome to Lake Andes Wetland Management District! Located in the Prairie Pothole Region, many ducks rely on its many wetlands during spring and fall migration for feeding and resting, as well as raising their young during the summer months.

Visit Us

Lake Andes Wetland Management District is in the southern portion of the Prairie Pothole Region. The 104,242-acre Wetland Management District was established in 1958 and protects 18,782 acres of habitat in waterfowl productions areas. People are welcome on waterfowl production areas. Recreation opportunities include hunting, bird watching, and nature hikes.

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      District staff are responsible for managing small patches of lands and waters called Waterfowl Production Areas for waterfowl, shorebirds, and other kinds of wildlife. Unfortunately for wildlife, habitats vital to our nation’s migratory bird populations on private lands continue to be converted for cropland and other development. In an effort to slow the loss of wetlands and native grasslands on private lands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchases conservation easements from landowners. Through these conservation easements, landowners protect the land for wildlife by agreeing that they will not drain or fill the wetlands or plow the grasslands.

      What We Do

      Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the National Wildlife Refuge System. By providing permanent secure habitat, we are helping to sustain North America's waterfowl populations.

      Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge and Wetland Management District, Pickstown, South Dakota has cooperative agriculture opportunities for grazing and farming on Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA) in Brule, Aurora, Davison, Douglas and Charles Mix counties. Applications may be requested by calling the office at 605-487-7603. The WPA locations change yearly, check with our office for more information. To be considered, applicants must complete and submit the bid form/application. Successful applicants will be selected through an open and competitive process. For more information, please contact Refuge Manager.

      Services
      A beautiful green grassland with white flowers in bloom under a partly cloudy sky

      In the United States, the Prairie Pothole Region is located within the northern Great Plains in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Characterized by thousands of shallow, glacially formed wetlands known as potholes, the Prairie Pothole Region provides habitat for...

      Dozens of waterfowl flying over a grassy wetland

      In the United States, the Prairie Pothole Region is located within the northern Great Plains in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Characterized by thousands of shallow wetlands known as potholes, the Prairie Pothole Region provides habitat for globally...

      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