| Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge in 2015 | |
  Map of the United States | |
| Location | South Harbor Township, Mille Lacs County, Minnesota |
| Nearest city | Wahkon, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 46°9′58″N93°34′36″W / 46.16611°N 93.57667°W /46.16611; -93.57667 |
| Area | 0.57 acres (2,300 m2) |
| Established | May 14, 1915 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge |
Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge is a 0.57 acre (2,300 m2)National Wildlife Refuge in centralMinnesota. The refuge consists solely of two small islands inMille Lacs Lake, and is the smallest National Wildlife Refuge in the United States. It was created on May 14, 1915, to preserve breeding habitat for several bird species. The islands are one of only four breeding colonies ofcommon terns, athreatened species in Minnesota. Other native species breeding within the refuge includering-billed andherring gulls anddouble-crested cormorants.
The islands can only be reached by boat. Landing on them is officially discouraged (though not forbidden), and instead visitors are asked to conduct theirbirdwatching from watercraft.
Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge is administered fromRice Lake National Wildlife Refuge.