Statistics and Facts:
Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge is part of the
picturesque Souris River Valley of the Prairie Pothole Region of the northern
Great Plains. In the valley, you can
find steep, native prairie grass-covered hills, shrub-filled coulees (ravines),
and a clear slowly meandering river lined with hardwoods. This unique landscape, formed by glacial
activity 6,000 to 12,000 years ago, is home to hundreds of wildlife and fish
species. Upper Souris National Wildlife
Refuge was established in 1935 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory
birds and other wildlife. The refuge
contains 32,084 acres and extends for over 35 miles along the beautiful Souris
River Valley.
Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge website: http://uppersouris.fws.gov
Trails:
Prairie-Marsh Scenic Drive just follow the
signs at the west end of Lake Darling Dam to find the Prairie-Marsh Scenic
Drive entrance road. The scenic drive
begins 1 mile south of the dam. There is
a gate at the entrance to the drive; this gate is located south of the
intersection of County Roads 6 and 11.
The tour route is closed during the winter and during dear gun season.
Pelican Nature Trail this trail offers a ˝-mile
interpretive hike to the Pool A Spillway.
American white pelicans, Canada geese, blue-winged teal, mallards, deer,
muskrat, and mink are often seen in this area.
This is a great area to watch wading birds such as great blue herons feeding
on minnows and frogs in shallow water.
Wildlife Food as you drive this trail you will see
fruit-bearing bushes. In early July, the
June berry bushes will produce ripe bluish-red berries. In mid-summer you can see chokecherries, which
are shiny, bluish-black berries and a favored food of wildlife. In the fall, hawthorn and buffalo berry
shrubs yield clusters of reddish fruit.
Cottonwood Nature Trail is named for the large number
of cottonwood trees planted in the late 1930’s.
Hawks, owls, and songbirds use the cottonwood trees as perches, northern
flickers and woodpeckers use them as homes and dining areas. Cottonwood Trail consists of two mowed grass
loops. The first loop is ˝ mile long and
features a scenic overlook with a bench.
The second loop is 1 mile long and continues from the overlook area west
through the coulee and around surrounding ridges.
Osbow Nature Trail your walk along this trail will
take you on either a ˝ mile or a 1-mile journey through prime river bottom
habitat of the Souris River.
Overlook Nature Trail this mowed grass trail winds
over the prairie grass-covered hills where a spectacular panoramic view of the
Souris River Valley will unfold before you.
Bring your binoculars, sit on a bench, and watch the many types of water
birds moving in and out of the march below you.
Centennial Wildlife Nature Trail is located at the
north end of Renville County Memorial Park.
The mowed grass trail meanders through bottomland grasslands. The trail offers good bird watching opportunities
along with interpreted stops and benches.
The trail length will depend upon how wet the meadows are, but it will
be from 2 to 2 ˝ miles round-trip.
Canoe Trails:
The Lake Darling canoe areas include the lower 3 miles of
the lake near the dam and the lake between Grano and Greene road
crossings. When canoeing on the Souris
River look for colorful wood ducks and hooded mergansers. The two canoe trails are available from May 1
to September 30.
Beaver Lodge Canoe Trail is a 3-mile trail (6 miles
round trip) that begins at the parking lot located southeast of the Outlet
Fishing Area. The first part of the
trail involves paddling through three ponds and a short section of cattails to
get to the Souris River.
Mouse River Park Canoe Trail is 11 miles west of
Mohall on Highway 5; just follow the signs to Renville County Memorial
Park. This 5-mile (10 miles round trip)
trail begins at the boat ramp in the park and extends upstream north to the
Refuge boundary.
Birds:
Loons, Greges, Pelicans, Cormorants, Bitterns, Herons,
Egrets, Ibises, New World Vultures, Swans, Geese, Ducks, Osprey, Kites, Hawks,
Eagles, Falcons, Caracaras, Gallinaceous Birds, Rails, Cranes, Plovers, Stilts,
Avocets, Sandpipers, Phalaropes, Skuas, Jaegers, Gulls, Terns, Pigeons, Doves, Cuckoos,
Owls, Nightjars, Swifts, Hummingbirds, Kingfishers, Tyrant Flycatchers,
Sthrikes, Vireos, Crows, Jays, Magpies, Swallows, Larks, Titmice, Chickadees,
Nuthatches, Creepers, Wrens, Kinglets, Thrushes, Mimic Thrushes, Starlings,
Wagtails, Pipits, Waxwings, Wood Warblers, Tanagers, Sparrows, Towhees,
Cardinals, Grosbeaks, Allies, Blackbirds, Orioles, Finches, Old World Sparrows.
Fishing:
Some of the finest fishing is found on Lake Darling and
along the Souris River on the Refuge.
Game fish species found northern pike, walleye, and small mouth
bass. Non-game fish include yellow
perch, white sucker, and brown bullhead.
Bank fishing is permitted in 13 designated areas. Fishing boats and canoes are permitted in
designated fishing areas from May 1 to September 30. The Refuge is open from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm
daily. No one is permitted on the Refuge
between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am.
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