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Road Closed Sign
Dept. of Transportation Road Closure Alert

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Minnesota Department of Transportation and BNSF Railway would like to alert visitors that the replacement of a BNSF railroad crossing near Nelson, Wisc. will close WI Hwy-25 between Nelson, Wisc and Wabasha, MN to all public travel beginning 6am on Mon. Oct 26 through 4pm on Fri. Oct 30, 2026. This road closure will affect access to four Refuge boat landings in the Winona District: Nelson-Trevino Landing, Beef Slough Landing, Pontoon Slough Landing and Indian Slough Landing.  For more information, please contact WisDOT at (715) 828-9471. 

The nearest alternative river crossings are US-63 between Hager City and Red Wing, Minn., and WIS 54/MN 43 between Bluff Siding and Winona, Minn. The Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation advises visitors to expect longer travel times and to plan ahead, including checking traffic impacts on 511wi.gov. 

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2 youth hold their deer heads after harvesting from a youth hunt
Hunting Information and Regulations

Hunting season has arrived on the refuge. You can find information on regulations, maps, and special hunts on our hunting page.

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Wood duck sitting on tree branch
Pool Maps Found Here!

All of the pool maps for the refuge showing where you can hunt, fish, and recreate are found here: Pool Maps 4-14.  These maps outline in more detail the closed areas, sanctuaries, slow no wake areas, etc. 

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has been a haven for migratory birds, fish, wildlife and people since 1924. The refuge stretches 261 river miles from Wabasha, Minnesota to Rock Island, Illinois, and protects more than 240,000 acres of Mississippi River floodplain. The refuge hosts more than 3.7 million annual visits for hunting, fishing, wildlife observations, and other recreation. The refuge is a Wetland of International Importance and a Globally Important Bird Area.

Visit Us

Sun setting behind the bluffs on the Upper Mississippi River
Image Details

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has been a haven for fish, wildlife and people since 1924. The refuge stretches 261 river miles from Wabasha, Minnesota to Rock Island, Illinois, protecting more than 240,000 acres of Mississippi River floodplain. The refuge hosts more than 3.7 million annual visits for hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and other recreation. Your next adventure awaits!  Check out the Pool Maps to learn where you can hunt, fish, and recreate!  NOTE: The interactive map below on this page is still under construction.

Location and Contact Information

      What We Do

      Services
      Silhouette of a person walking with a shotgun on the tundra
      Apply for a Special Use Permit on National Wildlife Refuges

      Some commercial, recreational and research activities are allowed on national wildlife refuges only with a special use permit issued by the local office, and are subject to specific conditions and fees. This permit requirement is meant to ensure that all activities at the federal site are...

      Service
      Communication
      Permits
      Business Owner/Commercial Business
      Educator/Education Facility
      Landowner - Commercial
      Landowner - Individual
      Oil/Gas Company
      Private Land Owners/Managers
      Researcher or Research Facility - Commercial Scientific

      Our Species

      Observing wildlife can be a fun way to enjoy the refuge and it changes through the seasons. From the summer sounds of frogs, to the spectacular fall migration, you’re sure to discover wildlife when you visit Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.

      Our Library