Friends of the Refuge - Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8

10/20/2026

Please share your support for Lake Onalaska! It is an important recreational hub for this area!

Hello Friends!!

Did you know La Crosse County supports numerous community facilities and organizations it doesn't own? So why should Lake Onalaska be treated differently?

In the proposed 2027 County budget, $10,000 in annual funding for aquatic vegetation cutting has been eliminated. That represents approximately 40% of the funding needed to keep public navigation channels open and prevent w**ds from taking over. You can see from the photo how w**d cutting is needed.

This isn't just about w**ds in the water. It's about fishing, boating, tourism, local businesses, and providing opportunities for seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities to enjoy Lake Onalaska.

It's also about protecting our ability to secure future state and federal restoration funding.

In my latest Guardians of Lake Onalaska, I share some surprising examples of what the County already supports, explain what's at stake, and outline a proposed budget amendment that could help preserve this important community resource.

The County Board hasn't made its final decision, and YOU have an opportunity to make a difference!

November 10 at 5:00 p.m. — County Budget Hearing

👉 Please take a few minutes to read the full article. I think you'll find the comparisons eye-opening.

Guardians of Lake Onalska full article - https://lakeonarehab.org/guardians-blog/f/guardians-of-lake-onalaska-4

Please share this with friends, businesses, conservation groups, and anyone who cares about the future of Lake Onalaska.

We're not asking the County to do everything. We're simply asking it to continue doing its part.

10/19/2026

Bird friendly maple syrup? Yes, pleaae!

As Audubon's Bird-Friendly Maple program expands, syrup makers in the Northeast and Great Lakes are tending their sugarbushes to foster forest species.

10/19/2026

If you hunt the Upper Miss Refuge, please be aware of areas closed to hunting and the Voluntary Closed Areas - these areas allow migrating waterfowl a place to stopover and rest during migration.
Pool maps can be found here:
https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/upper-mississippi-river-pool-maps

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2026
Media contact: [email protected]
Voluntary Waterfowl Avoidance Areas in Effect in the La Crosse District
of Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
ONALASKA, Wis. - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking boaters in the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge to avoid designated areas within the La Crosse District through mid-November. Allowing birds to rest and feed gives them a better chance of making it to their winter habitat with enough body fat to survive.
In the La Crosse District, voluntary waterfowl avoidance areas are located on parts of Navigation Pools 7 and 8 of the Mississippi River and are in effect from October 15 through mid-November.
Voluntary Waterfowl Avoidance Area in Navigation Pool 7: The avoidance area on Lake Onalaska is marked with orange-and-white buoys, covering a 3,356-acre section of the lake. The plants that grow in this area are a critical food source for diving ducks, especially canvasback ducks.
Voluntary Waterfowl Avoidance Areas in Navigation Pool 8: All boaters are also asked to avoid entering the 984-acre Goose Island No Hunting Zone and the 6,538-acre Wisconsin Islands Closed Area, both located in Pool 8. To further reduce disturbance to waterfowl concentrated in the Goose Island No Hunting Zone, the use of motors is also prohibited. Thousands of puddle ducks, diving ducks, tundra swans and American white pelicans use this section of the river as their rest area. Orange and white buoys will also be placed in Pool 8 to alert boaters of these areas.
These special use areas provide safe stopover places where birds can rest from their flights. In addition to not being open to all migratory bird hunting, special use areas are also not open to all other hunting activities, trapping and camping during the state waterfowl hunting season in their respective states. Some special use areas are also labeled as voluntary avoidance areas and, or no motor areas.
Learn more about Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov and connect with us on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Flickr and YouTube.
-FWS-

The "Pools" on the refuge are numbered and correspond with the lock and dam system. Winona District manages Pools 4-6 (Wabasha, MN to La Crosse, WI), La Crosse District manages Pools 7-8 (La Crosse, WI to Reno, MN), McGregor District manages Pools 9-11 (Reno, MN to Dubuque, IA), and Savanna District...

10/17/2026

Some geologic history for your Saturday. Hope you are out exploring today.

10/13/2026

A city skyline and a wildlife sighting can be part of the same afternoon. 🏙️🦌

Urban national wildlife refuges and community programs help bring nature closer to home. One small discovery can open up a whole new world.

💬 What’s your favorite nearby nature spot?

10/13/2026

10/13/2026

10/13/2026