Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge

Lake Ilo National Wildlife Refuge spans 4,034 acres of prairie grasslands, wetlands, and a man-made lake supporting hundreds of bird species and diverse wildlife populations.

The refuge, established in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, originated from a local community initiative to build a dam during the Dust Bowl period.

Archaeological excavations in the 1990s uncovered 58,000 stone artifacts dating back 11,000 years, including tools made from North Dakota's Knife River flint.

Lake Ilo offers year-round public access from sunrise to sunset, with facilities for fishing, bird watching, hiking, and a three-acre park with grills.

The refuge maintains specific water management techniques and controlled burning practices to create optimal conditions for waterfowl nesting and brood-rearing.

Location: Dunn County

Inception: 1939

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/lake_ilo

GPS coordinates: 47.33640,-102.68800

Latest update: March 8, 2025 01:11