In consideration of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 the Upper Mississippi River Refuge will issue Special Use Permits and trap tags remotely only. No Special Use Permits or trap tags will be issued in person at Refuge offices. All permits will be issued through the mail. Special Use Permit applications and Special Use Permit are available on-line at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Upper_Mississippi_River/trapping.html.
Information can be found in the online Refuge’s Furbearer Management Plan or by contacting a District Office. If you have questions, please contact District Manager Ed Britton at 815-273-2732, extension 111.
If you are interested in trapping on the Refuge in 2020/2021 please:
- complete all the highlighted sections of the Special Use Permit application and sign the application on line 31.
- sign line 12 of the Special Use Permit.
- prepare a check or money order made out to “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” in the amount of $30 if you are an adult, or $5 if you are under the age of 18. Do not send cash; only a personal check or money order will be accepted.
- place items 1 through 3 in a stamped and addressed envelope and mail to the appropriate District Office below:
For Pools 4, 5, 5A, and 6 – Winona District, 102 Walnut Street, Suite 205, Winona, MN 55987
For Pools 7 and 8 – La Crosse District, N5727 County Road Z, Onalaska, WI 54650
For Pools 9, 10, and 11 – McGregor District, 470 Cliffhaven Road, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
For Pools 12, 13, and 14 – Savanna District, 7071 Riverview Road, Thomson, IL 61285.
Upon receipt of your application package, we will review your application for completeness. If complete and you are in “good standing” (i.e. no recent violations of fish and game laws, compliance with submission of last year’s fur catch report), we will sign the Special Use Permit and return the permit with 40 trap tags to you.