Facility Activities

District lands are open year round for many types of activities that are compatible with maintaining tallgrass prairie habitat and do not jeopardize waterfowl production. To ensure your safety and protect wildlife and habitat, please be sure to review the district regulations before visiting.

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.
Boating - non-motorized

Many Fish and Wildlife Service sites make great destinations for flatwater canoeing or kayaking. 

Dog walking

Dogs are required to be on a leash. During the small game and migratory bird seasons, hunting dogs must be under the immediate control of the hunter.

Fishing

Because of the prairie pothole nature of the habitat and shallow seasonal wetlands and pools, fishing is extremely limited on lands managed by Litchfield Wetland Management District (WMD).

Hiking

Whether you want a short, easy walk or a challenging hike, you’re likely to find what you want. For that short walk come to the Litchfield WMD office where you can find our boardwalk. For a more challenging hike, go explore some of our waterfowl production areas (WPAs). Litchfield WPA where the...

Hunting

Litchfield WMD is located just south of where Garrison Keillor's fictional Lake Wobegone would be, along the eastern edge of the prairie pothole region. Covering a seven-county area in central Minnesota, the district is extremely important for nesting waterfowl, since many historic wetlands have...

Painting and drawing

Painting and sketching in nature is possible at nearly all sites open to the public. Sometimes, sites host public displays of artworks created on the refuge. Remember not to litter and take all supplies with you when you leave. 

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 overlooks to help you get the images you’re after.

The...

Picnicking

No Littering! All trash must be packed out. Leave no trace. 

Snowshoeing

Many refuges in the country's northern tier have backcountry trails that can be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in season.

Trapping
Trapping is carefully managed to ensure safety and the sustainability of wildlife populations. Permitted trapping on refuges typically mirrors state regulations, and trappers who access refuge lands for recreation must possess state licenses and follow state regulations as well as permit stipulations.
Wild edible foraging

Litchfield WMD allows the removal of edible vegetation or seeds (berries, mushrooms, nuts, etc) for personal use. 

Wildlife watching
Many refuges champion wildlife viewing as a key recreational activity.