Where to See Bald Eagles Around Winona

Bald eagles live along this stretch of the Mississippi all year. Here's when and where to look. 

When. The biggest gatherings come November through March, when eagles crowd the open water below the locks and dams. In spring, local pairs raise their young, and the young birds leave the nest from late May to early July. Through summer and fall, adults fish the river and perch in the tall trees along the water and the bluffs. Look up often. 

Where

• Lock and Dam 7, Dresbach. A free observation deck right off US-61, about 20 minutes south of the campground. Watch barges lock through and scan the water below the dam. 
• Lock and Dam 6, Trempealeau, WI. An observation platform across the river. Check that it's open before you go. 
• Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. The observation deck has spotting scopes. Eagles are often seen there from mid-March into April, along with spring waterfowl. 
• National Eagle Center, Wabasha. About 30 miles north of Winona on US-61. Meet the center's resident eagles up close, attend a live program and look for wild eagles from the deck over the river. Programs can fill on busy days, so reserve ahead. 

Tips. Bring binoculars, give eagles and nests plenty of room, and never approach or disturb a nest. 

Winona KOA Holiday is in the bluffs six miles south of Winona. Keep an eye on the sky from your site, too. 

Photo: Mathew Schwartz, via Unsplash.