Features

  • FamilyFishingDerby2-Millsxrotate

    Ducks Unlimited Fishing Derby

    Every year in September Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge and Ducks Unlimited put on a fishing event that is fun for the whole family.

    Learn More

  • MINWRRoad-GlennonxRotate

    Open Roads Days

    "Open Roads Days" events are held throughout the year to provide opportunities to fish and observe wildlife.

    2018 Mackay Island Calendar of Events

  • SunsetSwan-USFWSxRotate

    Wings Over Water

    Wings Over Water occurs every year in the fall and offers an assortment of ways to experience the wildness and uniqueness of the area.

    Wings Over Water

  • Monarchs roosting at Minnesota Valley NWR by Mara Koenig/USFWS

    Monarchs on the Move

    The monarchs have started their annual migration to Mexico. Each day they find roosting sights along the way. Roosts help reveal their path.

    Report Your Sightings

Featured Wildlife

American Black Duck

AmericanBlackDuck-Lewisx150

American black ducks migrate to Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge in the fall from their breeding grounds in eastern Canada. They arrive in October and remain until February.

Learn More

Snow Goose

SnowGooseTrio-Lewisx150

Snow geese migrate to Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge in the fall from their breeding grounds on the tundra in northeastern Canada. They arrive in October and remain until February. They reside in the moist soil units and marshes on the refuge and in the Bay and River surrounding the refuge.

Learn More
Take a Sneak Peek

Take a Virtual Tour of Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge

MIOnCellx150

There's nothing like experiencing this refuge in person, but take a sneak peek to give you a hint of what's in store for you here!

Virtual Tour of Mackay Island

About the Complex

North Carolina Coastal Plain National Wildlife Refuges Complex

Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the North Carolina Coastal Plain National Wildlife Refuges Complex.

Read more about the complex
About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

NWRS Logo

The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
Follow NWRS Online