Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge

46°9′58″N 93°34′36″W / 46.16611°N 93.57667°W / 46.16611; -93.57667Area0.57 acres (2,300 m²)EstablishedMay 14, 1915Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceWebsiteMille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge

Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge is a 0.57 acre (2,300 m²) National Wildlife Refuge in central Minnesota. The refuge consists solely of two small islands in Mille Lacs Lake, and is the smallest National Wildlife Refuge in the United States. It was created on May 14, 1915, to preserve breeding habitat for several bird species. The islands are one of only four breeding colonies of common terns, a threatened species in Minnesota. Other native species breeding within the refuge include ring-billed and herring gulls and double-crested cormorants.

The islands can only be reached by boat. Landing on them is officially discouraged (though not forbidden), and instead visitors are asked to conduct their birdwatching from watercraft.

Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge is administered from Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

External links

• Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge