Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex Lake Andes NWR, Lake Andes WMD, Karl E. Mundt NWR

South Dakota is home to three main subspecies of wild turkey: Eastern, Merriam, and Rio Grande? Depending on where you...
06/09/2026

South Dakota is home to three main subspecies of wild turkey: Eastern, Merriam, and Rio Grande? Depending on where you are in the state, you can see a wide variety of coloration in each turkey's feathering. Notice these two turkeys colors: the left side has a tan back end where the tail fan is, which ends with tan tips; while the right side has a lighter color of creamy tan on it's back end and lighter tail tips. Of course with different subspecies living in close proximity, it offers a large chance for cross-breeding of those subspecies which can also alter the coloration.

Tail camera of two different colored wild turkeys on the Karl E. Mundt NWR by USFWS

This white-faced ibis found a tasty minnow on the shores of Lake Andes lake! They forage so fast, it can be hard to see ...
06/07/2026

This white-faced ibis found a tasty minnow on the shores of Lake Andes lake! They forage so fast, it can be hard to see what they end up gulping down but fast shutter cameras can help slow the moment down and see what prey they found. Using their long bills, they probe and forage underwater until they "feel the meal." Their diets can be vast, but unlike the glossy ibis, white-faced ibis do not tend to eat as much vegetation.

Photo side by side of a white-faced ibis catching and consuming a minnow on Lake Andes NWR by Liz Julian/USFWS

You never know if those little duckies wandering around have their leg jewelry attached! This wood duck pair was spotted...
06/05/2026

You never know if those little duckies wandering around have their leg jewelry attached! This wood duck pair was spotted near Lake Andes lake and it wasn't until we took a closer look at the picture that we noticed his band! While we can only see a few of the numbers, it's more than likely that this wood duck was banded by us at the refuge.
Bands on ducks can help identify where they were caught, where they are going, if they are residents of an area, or how old there are. You need to have the full band number to get this information and not all ducks need to be harvested during duck season to report bands. Keep an eye out for that shiny jewelry!

Photo of a wood duck pair, male is banded by Liz Julian/USFWS

June and July are prime times for snapping turtles to lay their eggs? The females will travel on shore to dig a hole i...
06/03/2026

June and July are prime times for snapping turtles to lay their eggs? The females will travel on shore to dig a hole in sandy soil. She will lay between 25-80 eggs each year then cover them back up with her hind legs to let the warm soil incubate the eggs. Once emerged, the little snappers will leave the nest for water. The journey can be dangerous, dodging birds, snakes, mammals, and humans. If you see a snapper digging her hole, give her space and keep an eye on that area in about 9 to 18 weeks. You may get to see the little ones pop out of the dirt like a flower!🐢

Photo of a snapping turtle laying her eggs on the Owens Bay Nature Trail by Liz Julian/USFWS

🌸“Here’s the thing about wildflowers: They take root wherever they are, grow strong through the wind, rain, pain, sunshi...
06/01/2026

🌸“Here’s the thing about wildflowers: They take root wherever they are, grow strong through the wind, rain, pain, sunshine, blue skies, and starless nights. They dance, even when it seems there is nothing worth dancing for. They bloom, with or without you.”
— Alisha Christensen, Still Growing Widlflowers

Photo of a phalon crescent butterfly on daisy fleabane by Julia Johnson/USFWS

If you've been amongst the lucky ones to spot an American Bittern along the wetlands, then you know they can materialize...
05/30/2026

If you've been amongst the lucky ones to spot an American Bittern along the wetlands, then you know they can materialize just as quickly as they can disappear! Stealthy and motionless, these birds are able to blend into their environment while they stalk their prey. They will feast on a variety of wetland creatures big or small, but once caught, they will bite or shake their prey to the death-- down the hatch head first. parts of their meals that are not digestible are regurgitated back up like an owl pellet.

Photo of an American Bittern sticking out of the grass by Marcie Button/USFWS

to 1977 when our Owens Bay Nature Trail had a boardwalk that took you over the water and through the woods... but not ...
05/28/2026

to 1977 when our Owens Bay Nature Trail had a boardwalk that took you over the water and through the woods... but not to grandmothers house. Since the 2019 flood, the boardwalk that once welcomed numerous visitors over the years was wiped away. To prevent this issue from happening in the future, the Owens Bay Nature Trail sits a little higher and does not follow the traditional path the boardwalk did. Come down and check out our updated trail signs and watch the migrating birds in our prairie pond and along the lake.

Photo slide from 1077 of visitors enjoying the former boardwalk along the Owens Bay Nature Trail at the Day Use Area by USFWS

👀🔍Eye spy with your eye Level 1: Do you see the bobcat?Bobcats are known for their spots but they aren't just for show! ...
05/26/2026

👀🔍Eye spy with your eye Level 1: Do you see the bobcat?

Bobcats are known for their spots but they aren't just for show! Their unique fur patterns can vary depending on what environment they live in. These features help break up the outline of their body. Combine this with their stealthy, quiet movements and you have the makings of an ambush predator.

Trail camera photo of a bobcat crossing a downed log on the Karl E. Mundt NWR by USFWS

05/24/2026

🐄Just a reminder about cows being out on the Waterfowl Production Areas and Refuge within our Complex. If recreating, please make sure you close any gate you walk through. 🦬
Grazing is a tool we use to help eat away the old, dead growth of vegetation. Cows will eat the non-desirables that show up first such as smooth brome, giving native plants a chance to get the sunlight better, have room to grow, and also get fertilized. Have no fear, birds on prairie grasslands have adapted for thousands of years nesting where grazing animals dwell. Ground nesting birds are more likely to be predated on than trampled by cattle hooves. If you have any questions or concerns please call the office 605-546-8156

"If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpected...
05/22/2026

"If you will stay close to nature, to its simplicity, to the small things hardly noticeable, those things can unexpectedly become great and immeasurable."
-- Rainer Maria Rilke

Photo of a cattle egret on top of the rock in the John Eldridge WPA parking lot by Liz Julian/USFWS

Address

38471 291st Street
Lake Andes, SD
57356

Telephone

+16054877603

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