Agassiz Wilderness Area

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Agassiz Wilderness area is home to over 300 bird species and 70 animal species. This wilderness area is inside the Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge. Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Minnesota in Marshall County.

Two-thirds of this Refuge consists of wetland habitat. It is an important breeding and resting area for migratory birds with habitat management focusing on waterfowl, marsh, and grassland bird species.

Agassiz Wilderness Area

Established: October 19, 1976
State: Minnesota
Management: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Acres: 4,000 acres (16 km2)
Nearest City: Thief River Falls, MN

The Refuge lies in the aspen parkland transitional zone between the coniferous forests to the north and east and the prairie pothole region and tallgrass prairie to the west and south.

This rich diversity of habitats supports 300 bird species, 50 mammals, 12 amphibians, and 9 reptiles. In the spring, bird watchers can see ducks in full breeding plumage, nesting bald eagles, and many seldom seen marsh birds. Animal lovers may see gray wolves, moose, black bear, and even the elusive bobcat.

Temperatures range from -47° in winter to a record 108°F during the summer in this marshy flatland. Elevation of the land rarely varies more than a foot per mile. This entire Wilderness only varies 9 feet from one end to the other.

Black spruce and tamarack are the dominant trees.

Kuriko and Whiskey Lakes are the two bodies of water.
Agassiz Wilderness Area

Limited Access Only for Hunting Season

The only authorized public access to Agassiz’s Wilderness Area is during the deer and grouse hunting seasons. Deer firearm and archery hunting both begin concurrent with the nine-day Minnesota firearms deer season. Archery deer hunting closes concurrent with the state season. Muzzleloader deer hunting on the Refuge begins and ends concurrent with the Minnesota deer hunting season. Ruffed and sharp-tailed grouse hunting in the Refuge also begins on the nine-day firearms deer opener and ends with the state seasons.

The Refuge is closed to all public use from 7:00pm until 5:30am.

Tree stands and ground blinds must be removed daily. The use of screw-in tree steps, or use of nails, wire, screws, or bolts to attach a stand to a tree are prohibited.

It is recommended that hunters wear knee high or hip water boots and bring plenty of insect repellant or nets. A compass or GPS device is also advised.
Agassiz Wilderness Area

No Camping, No Fires, and No Wheeled Vehicles

No fires are allowed within the Refuge.

Camping is not allowed anywhere on Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge. However, there are two state run campgrounds just adjacent to the Refuge.

Bicycles, boats, and wheeled game carts are NOT allowed in Agassiz Wilderness Area. No motorized equipment or mechanical transport, with the exception of wheelchairs, is allowed. Agassiz Wilderness Area presents challenging access conditions in a remote, roadless portion of the Refuge.
Agassiz Wilderness Area