Fishing

Fishing is permitted according to state, federal and White Earth Reservation regulations. Available species include walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Boat access are primitive and do not have docks. Lakes open to summer fishing include North Tamarac Lake, Waboose Lake, Two Island Lake, Lost Lake, and Blackbird Lake. Winter ice fishing is open on Tamarac Lake, Pine Lake, Two Island Lake, and Waboose Lake. See the fishing brochure or fishing rules and polices for more information. 

Refuge Specific Fishing rules and policies

Safety

While on a boat, children 12 years old and under must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal floatation device (PFD).

Fishing tackle litter is harmful to wildlife and the public. Please leave no trace when recreating.

Vehicles and Parking

Licensed motor vehicles are permitted on main roads and service roads beyond open gates as shown on the map.

Vehicles are not permitted on the ice.

Snowmobiles, ATVs, and UTVs are not permitted on the refuge.

Parking, blocking, or in any manner restricting access to roads and gates is prohibited.

Boats

The Refuge allows motorized boats on the following lakes for summer fishing: North Tamarac, Waboose, Two Island, and Lost.

Blackbird Lake is open to non-motorized boats or electric boat motor use only.

To reduce disturbance to wildlife there is no boating or paddling on the rivers through the refuge.

Fishing Regulations

Fishing regulations are designed to provide safe recreational opportunities through wise use of renewable wildlife resources. Hunting and fishing are permitted in accordance with Federal regulations governing public use on National Wildlife Refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Hunting and fishing will be in accordance with applicable State of Minnesota and White Earth Nation regulations. Brochures may be obtained by mail, at the refuge headquarters, or from the refuge website.

The refuge prohibits the take of any frog, crayfish, and mussel species. Leeching, turtling, and minnowing is allowed in designated areas by tribal permit only.

All anglers and boaters must clean, drain and dispose to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

• Clean by removing visible aquatic plants, zebra mussels and other prohibited invasive species before leaving any water access.
• Drain water from boat, livewell, baitwell and bilge and by removing drain plugs and before leaving any water access.
• Dispose of unwated bait including minows, leeches and worms in the trash, it is illegal to release bait into a waterbody or release worms on the ground.

Access

Refuge is open from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Accessing refuge lands outside of these hours is prohibited. The Refuge allows motorized boats on the following lakes for summer fishing: North Tamarac, Waboose, Two Island, and Lost.

Blackbird Lake is open to non-motorized boats or electric boat motor use only.

Blackbird and Lost lakes are open only during the State Season - mid-May through Labor Day. Pine Lake is open to fishing from December 1 to March 31.

Bank fishing 50 yards either side of the Ottertail River bridges on County Roads 26 and 126 is permitted. No additional river areas are open to fishing or boating.

Prohibited Activities

By law, recreational activities on National Wildlife Refuges are prohibited unless expressly permitted:

• Personal motorized watercraft, swimming and tubing on refuge waters.
• Vehicles off designated roads and trails.
• Vehicles on the ice.
• Ice shelters left overnight.
• Motorized boats on Blackbird Lake, electric boat motor use only.
• Camping and overnight parking on the refuge.
• Fires on the refuge unless in picnic area grills.

To Report Violations

• Refuge Law Enforcement Officer: Call 218-844-3423
• Turn In Poachers (TIP) Line: Call 800-652-9093
• Dial #TIP (#847) from your cell phone