Rydell National Wildlife Refuge

The refuge is located in the Prairie Pothole Region of northwestern Minnesota between the flat Red River Valley flood plain on the west and the rolling hardwood forest and lake region on the east. The refuge has a broad expanse of old road as the area was once home to over 20 family homestead. An historic ox cart trail passes through a portion of the refuge.

The refuge itself is a unique mixture of habitats located in this transition zone consisting primarily of prairie grassland, prairie wetlands and maple basswood hardwood forest. Over 100 species of song birds and waterfowl, (breeding and migratory), and a rich mix of resident wildlife are present on the area.

The refuge has a fish hatchery and capability for fish hatching and rearing. Walleye fingerlings are presently raised for use on other refuges.

The refuge serves as a demonstration area of effective wildlife habitat management practices. A new visitors center is being developed and is staffed by volunteers on Sunday afternoons. The refuge provides interpretive, educational and research opportunities for visitors and area schools and universities.

Visitor Opportunities
Recreational opportunities in this area include: visitor center, educational programs, wildlife observation, hiking trails, hunting.

Accessibility: The National Wildlife Refuge System is working to ensure that facilities and programs are accessible to visitors. Please contact the refuge office for information about accessibility at this unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Visitor opportunities for the refuge are somewhat affected by a lack of staff. Currently activities are managed by the Friends of the Rydell Refuge Association. The refuge visitor center and trail system are open for visitors on Saturday and Sunday afternoons in the summer and fall and on Sunday afternoons only in the winter and spring, weather permitting. Cross-country skiing and bird watching are popular winter activities.

During the summer, numerous Sunday afternoon and evening programs are developed and sponsored by the Friends group.

The refuge also sponsors two special deer hunts to help manage the refuge's deer population. A hunt designed for persons with disabilities is conducted in October and a special hunt designed for youth and mentors only is held in early November. Participation in a special training program is required for the youth hunt. Applications for both hunts are published in May.

Management Programs
The primary purpose for establishing Rydell National Wildlife Refuge is to increase mallard, northern pintail, woodduck, redhead and ring-necked production. Over 150 woodduck houses have been erected. Many other species of migratory and resident wildlife benefit from the broad based diverse habitat management programs being undertaken.

Throughout the Prairie Pothole Region of Minnesota, an estimated 90 percent of all wetlands have been lost to development.

The refuge is situated in a fire shield area of the prairie region. Local lakes and wetlands diverted the prairie fire and created an island of maple-basswood forest habitat. Plans call for the restoration of 500 to 700 acres of native forest habitat on the refuge. The goal is to again connect the existing fragments of exist remnant forest to provide larger habitat block for forest interior species. Spruce has been planted on numerous acres that will be slowly converted to native tree species. Plans also call for the establishment and maintenance of 300 acres of native prairie grassland habitats.

The diverse refuge habitats are used by both diver and dabbling duck species, white-tailed deer, moose, ruffed grouse, prairie chicken, cormorants, herons, rabbits, raccoon, otter, beaver, mink, muskrats, fox coyotes, various hawk and owl species and more than 100 neotropical migratory bird species. A bald eagle nest is located approximately one mile south of the refuge and eagles are commonly observed using the refuge habitat. Trumpeter swans are successfully reproducing on the refuge just below our visitors center.

Fishery programs will involve utilization of some water areas on the refuge for propagation of fish for use on other refuges in the region and on Native American Tribal Lands. The Hatchery maybe used for endangered mussel and fish production at a future date.

Directions
The refuge is located in Polk County Minnesota south of U.S. Highway 2.
To get to the refuge go 3 miles east of Mentor or 3 miles west of Erskine on U.S. Highway 2 and turn south on Polk Co. 210. Follow 210 about 2.5 miles south to the main refuge gate. If arriving from the south, turn north off of Polk Co. 41 onto Polk Co. 210 and go about 3.5 miles north to the refuge entrance.

Route 3, Box 105
Erskine, MN 56535
Phone (218) 687-222
Fax (218) 687-2225
E-mail Paul_Soler@fws.gov