Trapping is a wildlife management tool used as well on the refuge. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge offers trapping opportunities to trappers, units for muskrat and beaver during the Wisconsin trapping season.
- Trapping is allowed by special use permit
- Trapping units are auctioned in the fall. Contact refuge office for information.
2026-2027 Trapping- Auction October 1, 2026 at 6:00pm
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge will offer trapping units for muskrat and beaver during the Wisconsin 2026-2027 trapping season.
Bidding for the units will take place Thursday evening, October 1, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the refuge Outdoor Wonders Learning Center building, located next to the refuge office.
There are twelve muskrat units and four beaver units available for bid. Trappers must show a current Wisconsin state trapping license (paper copy) when registering to bid. Bids will start at $40.00 per unit. Trappers must be present at the auction to bid. Payment for units is due at the close of the auction. Trappers are welcome to pre-fill their application (highlighted areas) and bring with them that evening. Muskrat units are also available for both Youth (18 years of age and younger) and Senior Citizen (65 years of age and older), free of charge. If you would like to enter in the drawing for these units, you must be present for bidding and provide a current Wisconsin trapping license and proof of age.
Interested trappers may inspect the trapping units prior to the October 2nd auction date. Please stop at the refuge office to obtain a map and unit history. Additional information on the trapping program may be found by calling the refuge headquarters at 608/539-2311, (TTY users may reach Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge through the Wisconsin State Relay Service at 1-800-947-3529).
To write, send a note requesting "Trapping Program" information to: Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, W28488 Refuge Road, Trempealeau, Wisconsin 54661.
Trappers can pre-fill this Application and bring with them, or they can fill one out when they arrive.
MUSKRAT TRAPPING UNIT HISTORY 2025
UNIT # # Muskrats Winning bid
harvested
1 34 ^
2 34 $40
3 18 $40
4 0 $40
5 50 $40
6 0 $20
7 0 $20
8 0 $40
9 0 $30
10 8 $40
11 0 $20
12 6 $40
13 5 #
14 14 #
15 47 $40
Totals 216 $410.00
^ Muskrat unit #1 is designated a Senior Citizen Unit. The award is made by a random drawing rather than a bid.
# Units 13 and 14 are designated as Youth Units. The award is made by a random drawing rather than a bid.
BEAVER TRAPPING UNIT HISTORY 2025
UNIT # # Beaver Winning bid
harvested
1 44 $175
2 39 $540
3 33 $225
4 31 $425
Totals 147 $865