Missisquoi National W,Ildlife Rfuge

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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Missisquoi National W,ildlife Rfuge . ' " There are some who can live Mthout wild things, and soma who cannot I am one who cannot"

Ald(Mjeopold

Here, the Missisquoi River meanders through beds of wild rice and stands of wetland plants such as arrowhead, bulrush and wild celery. In addition to 500 acres of natural marsh, the refuge includes 1,800 acres of managed wetlands formed by three diked impoundments. These pools are a mix of open water and rich stands of emergent plants, shrubs, and wooded swamps that offer food and cover for waterfowl. Although refuge waters attract waterfowl most of the year, Black duck peak use is in the fall, when thousands Glen Smart/USFWS of ring-necked ducks settle in to feed with thousands of green-winged teal, Welcome Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, black ducks, and mallards. More than established in 1943, is located on the 20,000 ducks are anticipated annually. eastern shore of Lake Champlain near the Canadian border in Franklin County, Vermont. The refuge headquarters is two miles northwest Making the Most The management objectives of of Swanton, on Route 78. of Wildlife Missisquoi Refuge are consistent with Habitat the objectives of the North American The 6,592-acre refuge includes most Waterfowl Management Plan, an of the Missisquoi River delta where it international agreement by federal flows into Missisquoi Bay. The refuge agencies, states, Canada, and private consists of quiet waters and wetlands groups to conserve, restore and which attract large flocks of enhance wetland habitat for waterfowl migratory birds. and other wetland-dependent migratory birds. Wood ducks Upland areas of the refuge are a John and Karon Hollinjrswnith CSI-'WS hardwood mix of American elm, white ash, white oak, silver and red maple, and open fields. Both provide habitat for migratory songbirds, resident mammals, and other wildlife.

Wetlands Set Missisquoi Refuge is one link in a Aside as a chain of refuges for migratory birds Migratory that extends along the Atlantic Stopover Flyway between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas. The refuge provides important feeding, resting, and breeding habitat for migratory birds, especially waterfowl, in the northern Lake

A variety of habitat management woodchuck burrowing, and from practices are used at Missisquoi erosion due to beaver-induced Refuge to benefit wildlife. Examples flooding. are listed below. Enjoying the Recreational and educational activities Water levels in refuge impoundments Refuge consistent with the primary goals of are manipulated to encourage the protecting and managing wildlife growth of waterfowl food and cover habitat are available at Missisquoi plants such as wild rice and Refuge throughout the year. The buttonbush, while also providing good refuge is open daily from dawn to ground-nesting habitat for mallards, dusk. black ducks, and teal. Wildlife observation, photography, Nearly 200 nesting structures are and hiking located throughout the Missisquoi The Black Creek and Maquam Creek delta. These nestboxes, cones, and interpretive trails provide good cylinders are helping wood ducks, opportunities for waterfowl and common goldeneyes, hooded wading bird observation and mergansers, and black ducks increase photography as the trails pass through their numbers by supplementing 11/2 miles of wooded lowland. Plan to natural nesting habitat. take along the trail guide and wildlife checklists, available in refuge leaflet Haying, mowing, and controlled boxes or upon request. Insect burning are methods used by wildlife repellent may be useful during the managers to keep open field areas warmer months. Visitors may also from changing back to woodland over observe wildlife by walking along time. Many wildlife species benefit Mac's Bend Road, next to the from these open field habitats. Missisquoi River. Waterfowl may nest in the grassy cover, while bobolinks, songbirds, and Boating small mammals that use open fields Boats and canoes may be launched provide a food source for birds of prey from First Landing (Louie's Landing) such as rough-legged hawks, Mallard I'SFWS all season. A second boat ramp, on American kestrels, and red-tailed hawks.

Maintaining a healthy diversity of habitats at Missisquoi Refuge requires the control of exotic pest plants such as purple loosestrife and common reed grass. If left unchecked, these non-native plants would outcompete native plants and reduce the value of refuge wildlife habitat for migratory birds.

Limited raccoon trapping is used to control predation on waterfowl and other ground-nesting birds. Trapping also helps protect waterfowl impoundment dikes from muskrat and Cross-country skiing Refuge nature trails are open for this activity. Blueberry picking Berry picking is permitted in the bog off Tabor Road during July and August. Plan to wear boots and carry a compass and insect repellent.

Frog picking This activity is permitted from July 15 to September 30 in the mowed refuge fields along Route 78 and Mac's Bend Road. To avoid overharvesting, the limit has been set at 12 frogs per person per day. A valid Vermont hunting license or a Recreational fish ing combination hunting/fishing license is rsF\vs required. Mac's Bend Road, is only open from September 1 until the end of the To protect wildlife and visitors, the waterfowl hunting season in following are prohibited: December. Boating is permitted along • Camping the Missisquoi River and in Lake • Open fires Champlain where it borders the • Cutting firewood refuge. Portions of the refuge are • Removing plants or animals closed to boaters, however, to protect • Littering (State fine:$500 ) wildlife habitat. Please watch for and • Snowmobiling respect "Closed Area" signs. • Off-road vehicles • Leaving vehicles overnight Fishing • Abandoning wild or domestic Refuge visitors may fish from the animals on the refuge banks of the Missisquoi River. Fishing Please note that dogs must be kept is also permitted from a boat on the and controlled on a leash no longer Missisquoi River and Lake Champlain than 10 feet. in areas that are not posted as closed to public access. A leaflet on fishing at We hope you enjoy your visit to Missisquoi Refuge is available on Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. request. If you have further questions, please stop at the refuge office or write to: Hunting Portions of the refuge are open to Refuge Manager waterfowl, deer, and small game Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge hunting in accordance with state and 371 North River Street federal regulations. Current Swanton, VT 05488-8148 regulations are available from the Telephone: (802) 868-4781 refuge office. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge 371 North River Street i • u n n Swanton, VT 05488-8148 802/868 4781 / Federal Relay "Service National Wildlife for the deaf and hard-of-hearing / 1 800/877 8339 y* Refuge , * U.S. FisLind Wildlife Service 1800/344 WILD http://wwAfws.gov

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