Nearest Town: Isle

Mille Lacs, at one-half acre, has the distinction of being the smallest refuge in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The unit consists of two small rock islands, Hennepin and Spirit, which lie isolated in the southern portion of Mille Lacs Lake, administered by the nearby Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Set aside in 1915 as a bird sanctuary, Spirit Island in addition to nearby Hennepin Island, were officially designated as Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge, a refuge for colonial nesting waterbirds by Executive Order 3340 in 1920.

This treeless bird sanctuary is prime nesting habitat for Common Tern, Ring-billed Gull, Herring Gull and since 1998, Double-crested Cormorant. The refuge is one of only five Common Tern breeding colonies in Minnesota, which lists the species as threatened.

Two major threats to nesting Common Terns are competition with Ring-billed Gulls for nesting sites and wave action due to weather and high lake levels. Active management to increase the productivity of Common Terns on Hennepin Island began in 1993 with construction of a gull-deterrent string grid system and the addition of gravel substrate to provide optimal nesting habitat.

Other species that utilize the tiny refuge during migration include Caspian Tern, Black Tern, Mallard, Common Merganser, Common Loon, American White Pelican, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Least Sandpiper, Semipalmated Sandpiper, and Baird’s Sandpiper.

In order to protect nesting birds, NO public access permitted on the islands. Public use opportunities are limited to birdwatching and photography, but only from a distance of 200 feet or greater. Access to the islands, which lie several miles off the south shore, is possible from the numerous public accesses on the lake or through one of the charter launch businesses.

Directions: Accessible only by water, the islands are located several miles from of the shore of the lake. Hennepin Island, north of Father Hennepin State Park and Spirit Island is further west; north of the Cove Public Access.

Contact Information: Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 36289 State Highway 65, McGregor, MN 55760, Phone: 218-768-2402.

Father Hennepin State Park encompasses 320 acres along the southeast shore of Mille Lacs Lake. Stop at the park office to get a map and more information about the park. The park, named after Father Louis Hennepin, a priest who visited in 1680 with a French expedition. He wrote extensively about the Mille Lacs area and the way of life for his hosts, the Mdewakanton-Dakota Indians. Park visitor facilities include four miles of hiking trails, two and a half miles of which are groomed for cross-country skiing in the winter. A sandy swimming beach, two lighted boat ramps, handicapped accessible fishing piers, lake view picnic sites and two campgrounds. The habitat is northern hardwoods, a main attraction for fall color enthusiasts.