A former oxbow of the Missouri River, DeSoto Lake provides recreational use for up to 350,000 visitors annually. The 1968 excavation of the steamboat Bertrand, which sank in 1865, adds a major historical emphasis to the refuge program. The 200,000 artifacts in the Bertrand Collection provide one of the most significant assemblages of Civil War era artifacts in the Missouri River region. The DeSoto Visitor Center, opened in 1981, exhibits much of the Bertrand Collection and contains interpretive displays on the historical development of the Missouri River Basin, the ecological impacts of that development, and the natural history of the area and its wildlife.

Boyer Chute NWR, which is located approximately 4 miles southeast of DeSoto NWR on the Nebraska side of the Missouri River, is managed by DeSoto under an agreement with Region 6.

 
SPECIAL EVENTS, RULES & LICENSES
 

The central portion of the refuge will be closed to mushroom picking and other public use to provide sanctuary for nesting birds, and white-tailed deer during the fawning period.

Saturday, June 1st - 2nd Annual DeSoto 
Refuge Fest
Activities are planned this year for a day long celebration of DeSoto's resources, including a chance to fish for at least one tagged carp worth thousands of dollars.

Rock fishing jetties, large cedar tree clumps, and over 500 tons of rock piles have been placed in selected areas of DeSoto Lake to provide habitat and spawning areas for game fish. Disability-accessible fishing piers are located at the South Gate Recreation Area and Bertrand Boat Ramp.

Anglers need either an Iowa or Nebraska license. No more than three largemouth bass or northern pike may be taken. Bass under 15 inches in length, and northern pike under 24 inches in length, must be immediately released to ensure the continued presence of large predators to control rough fish.

Boating speeds are limited to no-wake, not to exceed five miles per hour. Motorized boats are allowed for fishing access, but a "no-anchor zone" is located at the aeration system in the lake, and marked with buoys.

The DeSoto Visitor Center, which houses natural history exhibits and artifacts from the 1860s steamboat Bertrand, is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily. Weekend wildlife films are shown at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. 

Turkey licenses available
Iowa resident spring turkey licenses for the 2002 season are currently on sale at any one of the more than 900 Electronic Licensing System for Iowa (ELSI) sales agents statewide. All spring turkey licenses, including the limited quota state forest zones, will be sold over the counter. Licenses for zones and seasons restricted by quotas will be sold until quotas are reached or the last day of each respective season, whichever comes first.

All other licenses, including free landowner/tenant licenses, will remain on sale through the end of each respective season. Archery-only licenses, valid statewide during all four seasons, can be purchased through the final day of the last season. However, hunters are advised to purchase licenses early to avoid last minute lines at the counter.

Season dates are: Season 1, April 15-18; Season 2, April 19-23; Season 3, April 24-30; and Season 4, May 1-19.

Residents may purchase up to two spring turkey licenses, as long as at least one is for zone 4, season 4. If two licenses are purchased, both must be either archery-only licenses or combination gun/bow licenses.

Residents also need to purchase a small game hunting license and pay the wildlife habitat fee, if the hunter is normally required to do so. License fees are $23 for each turkey license, $13 for a small game hunting license and $8.50 for the habitat fee. Free landowner/tenant licenses are subject to a $1 writing fee.

A limited number of non-resident turkey licenses remain and can be purchased by calling 1-800-367-1188.

Sturgeon run starts
Sturgeon are beginning to be caught in the Missouri River and its larger tributaries.

There are three species of sturgeon found in the river system and anglers are reminded that only the shovelnose sturgeon is legal to possess. The pallid sturgeon is listed on the National Endangered Species list and must be returned to the water immediately if caught. The lake sturgeon is listed as a threatened species and also must be returned to the water immediately.

The various sturgeon species are difficult to identify but as a general rule, if you catch a fish over about 24 inches or four pounds you should release it as it is probably a pallid or lake sturgeon.

To help fisheries biologists track the pallid and lake sturgeon, the Nebraska Commission asks anyone who catches one of those species to call the Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, (402) 332-3901 to report their catch. Information the biologists want is the date of catch, where it was caught, the river mile, the length and approximate weight of the fish, and the bait used.

Conservation program

The Iowa Master Conservationist Program, founded by Iowa State University Extension, will be offered this year at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. Persons ages 18 and older that have an interest in conservation and environmental issues can attend hands-on sessions to become trained Master Conservationists.