What We Do

The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from the purpose a refuge is established, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use. Selecting the right tools helps us ensure the survival of local plants and animals and helps fulfill the purpose of the refuge or district.

Management and Conservation

Refuges and districts use a wide range of land management tools based on the best science available. Some use prescribed fires to mimic natural fires that would have cleared old vegetation from the land helping native plants regenerate and local wildlife to thrive. Others contain wilderness areas where land is largely managed in passively. The management tools used are aimed at ensuring a balanced conservation approach where both wildlife and people will benefit.

Our Services

A beautiful green grassland with white flowers in bloom under a partly cloudy sky
Grassland Easements

In the United States, the Prairie Pothole Region is located within the northern Great Plains in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Characterized by thousands of shallow, glacially formed wetlands known as potholes, the Prairie Pothole Region provides habitat for...

Service
Consultation and Technical Assistance
Financial Assistance
Dozens of waterfowl flying over a grassy wetland
Wetland Easements

In the United States, the Prairie Pothole Region is located within the northern Great Plains in parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Characterized by thousands of shallow wetlands known as potholes, the Prairie Pothole Region provides habitat for globally...

Service
Consultation and Technical Assistance
Financial Assistance
Land Management and Conservation Assistance

Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement officers at Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District help the public understand and obey the laws that protect our natural resources. They play a crucial role in providing guidance and enforcement of easements that ensure healthy habitat for wildlife on private land. Officers depend on the public’s persistent monitoring of public lands and request that at any time you observe violations on district lands you contact officer at Chuck Melvin at 218-844-3423.

To report violations:

  • Call or email the National Wildlife Refuge TIPs Line at 1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477) or fws_tips@fws.gov
  • Call the State of Minnesota’s TIP hotline at 1-800-652-9093
  • Call a Federal Wildlife Officer at Chuck Melvin at 218-844-3423

Please provide the following information: what happened, where it happened, who was involved (including descriptions/names of person involved, vehicle information, names of other witnesses) and when it happened.

Laws and Regulations

Welcome to your wetland management districts. District lands are open every day for you to discover new places to hunt, fish, take pictures, watch wildlife, pick wild edibles (for personal use), trap, hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe and canoe. 

Hunting, fishing and trapping seasons generally follow state seasons and regulations. Please consult the district manager at 218-847-4431 if you have questions. We may post additional site-specific regulations.