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The two islands that make up Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge are closed to the public. Hennepin and Spirit islands are a sensitive breeding area for a variety of colony-nesting birds.

If you are boating on Mille Lacs Lake, please stay at least 100 yards offshore while fishing or observing wildlife from your watercraft. Minimizing human disturbance to the water birds that call the refuge home is a high priority.

Other Facilities in the Complex

Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge is a part of the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The complex includes four national wildlife refuges located throughout east central Minnesota, including Sherburne, Crane Meadows, Rice Lake and Mille Lacs national wildlife refuges. These refuges are under shared management, with Complex Headquarters located in Zimmerman, Minnesota.

Rules and Policies

The two islands that make up Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge are closed to the public. Only permitted researchers and refuge staff conducting habitat management work can step foot on the islands. If you are boating on Mille Lacs Lake, please stay at least 100 yards offshore while fishing or observing wildlife from your watercraft.

Locations

Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge
C/O Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge36289 State Highway 65McGregor,MN55760-5875
Hours
Refuge Hours
Closed to the public
Refuge islands are a sensitive breeding area for colony-nesting birds
Spirit Island
Hennepin Island