The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that Refuge special use permits and trap tags for the 2018-2019 furbearer trapping season on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge will be issued beginning October 9, 2018 at the following locations:
Winona District, 51 East 4th Street, Room 203, Winona, MN
Phone 507-454-7351
Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
La Crosse District, N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska, WI
Phone 608-779-2399
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
McGregor District, 470 Cliffhaven Road, Prairie du Chien, WI
Phone 608-326-0515
Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Trap tags will be issued beginning on October 1, 2018 ONLY at the following location:
Savanna District, 7071 Riverview Rd, Thomson, IL
Phone: 815-273-2732
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Regulations require that trappers possess a Refuge permit and trap tags to trap furbearers on the Refuge. Trap tags must be obtained in person and trappers must have a valid 2018-2019 state trapping license in their possession when obtaining trap tags. Wisconsin residents must provide printed proof of trapping privileges at time of application. Refuge employees do not have access the WIDNR electronic system to verify privileges via conservation card or driver’s license.
Each trapper will receive 40 trap tags with their permit. All traps placed on the Refuge must have a tag attached. Refuge trapping permits are issued for a fee of $30.00 for trappers 18 years or older and $5.00 for trappers under age 18. Only cash and checks can be accepted.
Trappers who did not return their fur catch report for the 2017-2018 seasons will not be issued a trapping permit for this year.
Additional information can be found in the Refuge’s Furbearer Management Plan available on the web at http://www.fws.gov/refuge/upper_mississippi_river/ or by contacting one of the District offices.
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is the most visited refuge in the United States. The refuge extends 261 miles along the Upper Mississippi River from Wabasha, MN to Rock Island, IL, protecting and preserving habitat for migratory birds, fish, and a variety of other wildlife. This 240,000 acre refuge was established in 1924.
In addition to being the most visited refuge in the country, the “Upper Miss” Refuge has the added complexity of a major navigation system, including 11 locks and dams, within its boundary. It is also a world-class fish and wildlife area which harbors 306 species of birds; 119 species of fish; more than 300 active bald eagle nests; thousands of heron and egret nests; spectacular concentrations of canvasback ducks, tundra swans, and white pelicans; and several threatened or endangered species.