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Introduction

The United States Congress designated the Tamarac Wilderness (map) in 1976 and it now has a total of 2,180 acres. All of this wilderness is located in Minnesota and is managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Description

To the Chippewa Indians, and the Dakotas before them, this dark forest with 21 lakes was a mecca for hunting, fishing, and ricing. Now, many years later, the land serves as a refuge for migratory bird production and as migration habitat. The riches, so to speak, have gone to the birds (although Native Americans still harvest wild rice when the crop grows heavy), with more than 240 species on the refuge's formal list. Estimated fall duck populations exceed 40,000 birds, and priorities include the reestablishment of trumpeter swans.

The Wilderness consists of four sections of the 42,724-acre Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge: three islands in Tamarac Lake (totaling about 65 acres in the southwest section) and the 2,000-plus-acre northeast corner. White and red pine, once the pride of the Minnesota Territory, are limited now to small stands within the Wilderness, secluded spots that draw bald eagles and ospreys.

Critters seen roaming this expanse range from the harmless white-tailed deer, otter, porcupine, fox, and beaver to the potentially threatening black bear, and, on rare occasions, timber wolf. The Wilderness doesn't have established hiking trails, and overnight camping is prohibited, but anglers can while away the hours trying to lure northern pike, walleye, largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch to the surface.

Planning to Visit the Tamarac Wilderness?

• Print a fact sheet
• General things to consider when visiting any wilderness
• Regulations
• Contact the Fish and Wildlife Service
• Other recommended websites

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Tamarac Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.