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Drone Rules for Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge - McGregor District

Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (WI) • United States
470 Cliffhaven Rd, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821, USA
Lat: 43.0697 • Lng: -91.1377
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFWS prohibits drones on the Upper Mississippi River NWR. The 240,000-acre four-state refuge corridor hosts the largest concentration of bald eagles in the lower 48 during the November-January winter roost period.

Drone Rules - Upper Mississippi River NWR

Drones are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210 across all 240,000 acres spanning Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Airspace / Site Context

  • Up to 4,000 bald eagles winter in the open-water sections of the river November-January; the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act adds a second federal prohibition layer
  • The refuge corridor spans Class D airspace near Winona (ONA), La Crosse (LSE), and Dubuque (DBQ) airports
  • Active barge and towboat traffic on the river create radio-interference issues for drone controllers near metal barge hulls

Key Rules

  • LAANC check required near LSE Class D (La Crosse), DBQ Class D (Dubuque), and ONA Class G before flights near the river
  • Eagle roost disruption during winter (Nov-Jan) risks Bald Eagle Protection Act violations: $10,000 fine / year in prison per bird
  • USFWS Special Use Permit required; multi-state corridor means application goes to the USFWS Upper Midwest Region in Bloomington, MN

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