Waubay
Waubay, SD 57273-5301
Plan Your Visit
The Waubay Wetland Management District (WMD) was established in 1959 to help restore and protect the vital habitats of the Prairie Pothole Region of North America. Visitors are welcome to explore 40,000 acres of waterfowl production areas. These public lands are open to hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and other forms of wildlife-dependent recreation. The WMD spans six counties in northeastern South Dakota, including Clark, Codington, Day, Grant, Marshall and Roberts.
Activities
Get Involved
National Wildlife Refuges and Wetland Management Districts provide many opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love. We partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of local communities to make a lasting difference.
Services
The Waubay Wetland Management District administers Wetland and Grassland Easements, which offer financial assistance to private landowners in the Prairie Pothole Region to permanently protect vital habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife. Additionally, the district offers cooperative agricultural opportunities for grazing and temporary farming for grassland restoration on Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) through an open and competitive process.
About
Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Waubay Wetland Management District focuses on conserving and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats.
Established in 1959, the Waubay Wetland Management District protects over 340,000 acres of vital habitat in the Prairie Pothole Region, including 40,000 acres of public Waterfowl Production Areas. McCarlson Waterfowl Production Area, located in Day County, was the first WPA in the nation, purchased in 1959. Waterfowl Production Areas are public lands open to hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation, while an additional 300,000+ acres are protected through conservation easements on private land. The District's mission focuses on conserving native species and preventing the loss of wetlands and grasslands to development. Its history is rooted in the restoration of the northern prairies, which were once dominated by abundant wildlife and essential wetland ecosystems.
