Eagle Watching

can drive for miles along the Mississippi River in Western Grant County. From Cassville, north to Wyalusing State Park and Prairie du Chien across the Wisconsin River, is a good area to see eagles soaring over the Mississippi River bluffs in early spring. You may see eagles or you may not. But the scenery is some of the best in the state. You may also see eagles inland from the river, in the winter, feeding on carrion. Sometimes you will see two or three in a farm field. Watch for them perched on tall trees, soaring, or feeding throughout the day.

The Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge is a favorite spot to look for eagles in winter and spring. Just south of La Crosse, in the Stoddard-Genoa area, you can see large winter concentrations of eagles over open water from the public boat launch behind the Dairyland Power Plant. During the winter, or any time of year, visit the Mississippi River to watch for eagles below the dams from La Crosse on downstream. The Lower Wisconsin River is another favorite area for eagles. Eagles have been migrating through Horicon Marsh during spring and fall for years. Most winters they will spend part of the cold weather months on the marsh hunting for available food. During the past three years a pair has begun nesting in the Horicon Marsh region for the first time.

During the summer the greatest eagle population in Wisconsin is in the northern lake country of Vilas County and surrounding areas. Maiden Rock, Wisconsin is another area where you are likely to see the large, platform-like nests of eagles in the Rush River bottoms. The air currents make it an excellent place to watch eagles soaring in singular majesty. Large numbers of bald eagles spend the winter months just south of Maiden Rock, feeding on fish in the open waters where the Chippewa River flows into the Mississippi River. They can be spotted sitting on the edge of the ice, in the trees along the riverbanks, or gliding above the water or soaring among the bluffs. While their large numbers make them easier to spot in winter months, they can be found year-round, as many are permanent residents in the valley.

Join other bald eagle watchers around the state during the next few weeks looking for our national symbol soaring high over Wisconsin.

Learn about the Eagles of British Columbia at Suite 101:

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