Facility Activities

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge offers a wide variety of seasonal and year-round accessible recreational opportunities that are wildlife compatible. Wildlife observation, bird watching, education, photography, hunting and fishing are all popular activities at Sand Lake.

Hunting

Migration report 3-12-2026

Snow goose numbers using Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge are around 10,000 birds. It appears birds are moving through more than stopping, and the snow line is well north of the refuge.

White-fronted geese, Canada geese, cackling geese,...

Fishing

Sand Lake NWR is open to fishing year-round.  During open-water, anglers must fish from the bank or shoreline.  When parking a vehicle along road grades, pull completely off the road to avoid hazards to yourself and to passing vehicles.  For your safety, please be aware that ice...

Wildlife watching
Many refuges champion wildlife viewing as a key recreational activity.
Birding
From bald eagles to spoonbills, from condors to puffins, birds abound on national wildlife refuges. Refuges provide places for birds to nest, rest, feed and breed making them world-renown for their birding opportunities.
Photography
Whether you wield a smartphone or a zoom lens, you’ll find photo-worthy subjects at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. Wildlife photography is a priority public use on national wildlife refuges, so you’ll find wildlife drives and blinds and overlooks to help you get the images you’re after.