Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge

Located along the Missouri River below Fort Randall Dam and south of Pickstown, the Karl E. Mundt National Wildlife Refuge is managed to provide habitat for bald eagles. This Refuge’s story began in 1967, when a biologist counted 283 bald eagles wintering in this area. At the time, the bald eagle populations outside of Alaska were declining rapidly. In 1974, the National Wildlife Federation donated these lands to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the first national wildlife refuge for bald eagles was established. Today, the Refuge protects one of the last remnants of natural habitat along the Missouri River, and it benefits more than bald eagles. During spring and summer, the woods are alive with the calls, songs, and striking colors of woodland birds. To protect the eagles from disturbance, the Refuge itself is closed to visitors. A kiosk below the Fort Randall Dam on the west bank of the Missouri River provides excellent viewing of the eagles in their natural territory. The Refuge is part of the Lake Andes National Wildlife Refuge Complex.