Free events offer prime winter eagle viewing along the Wisconsin River
Summary
- Bald Eagle Watching Days return to Sauk Prairie on Saturday, Jan. 17, offering free public viewing of bald eagles along the Wisconsin River from a newly renovated overlook.
- Live raptor programs, expert talks and family-friendly activities will take place at Sauk Prairie High School, highlighting eagle biology and conservation success.
- Winter is peak eagle season in Wisconsin, with the best viewing in early morning and near dusk as eagles gather near open water below river dams.
If spotting a bald eagle in the wild is on your winter bucket list, mark your calendar. Bald Eagle Watching Days return to Sauk Prairie on Saturday, Jan. 17, offering some of the best eagle viewing in southern Wisconsin — and it’s all free.
The annual event is hosted by the Wisconsin DNR and local partners, celebrating both the beauty of bald eagles and one of Wisconsin’s most remarkable conservation success stories.
Prime Bald Eagle Viewing Along the Wisconsin River
Visitors can watch bald eagles soaring and feeding along the Wisconsin River from a newly renovated river overlook at 490 Water St. in Prairie du Sac. Volunteers from the DNR’s Natural Heritage Conservation Bureau will be on site from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help visitors spot eagles and answer questions.
Winter is peak eagle season in Wisconsin. As rivers remain open near dams, eagles from northern Wisconsin, Canada, Michigan and Minnesota gather to hunt fish and scavenge carrion — creating incredible viewing opportunities right along the riverbanks.
“Eagle Watching Days is a great opportunity for us to reflect on how far we’ve come in the effort to conserve bald eagles,” said Sumner Matteson, DNR avian ecologist. “In 1974, there were only 107 breeding pairs in a handful of northern counties in Wisconsin. Fifty years later, we have around 1,700 pairs nesting in all 72 counties.”
Live Raptor Shows and Family Activities
In addition to outdoor viewing, families can head indoors to the River Arts Center at Sauk Prairie High School for live raptor programs featuring educational birds and trainers from the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.
Other highlights include:
- A screening of a recent rehabilitated bald eagle release
- A live expert Q&A session
- Family-friendly activities and self-guided tours
Full event details are available through the Ferry Bluff Eagle Council.
Bald Eagle Watching Continues Sunday
Can’t make it Saturday? Eagle watching continues Sunday, Jan. 18, with volunteers stationed at the river overlook from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Bald Eagle Watching Tips from Biologists
To improve your chances of seeing eagles in action:
- Best times: Early morning (8–10 a.m.) and about two hours before dusk
- Keep your distance: Getting too close can cause eagles to fly off
- Stay in your car unless you’re at a staffed viewing site
Supporting Eagle Conservation Year-Round
Looking to support bald eagles beyond the event? Wisconsin’s Endangered Resources license plates include a $25 annual donation that helps fund conservation efforts for hundreds of endangered, threatened and special concern species across the state.
Bottom line: Bald Eagle Watching Days combine great winter scenery, hands-on learning and one of the best chances all year to see Wisconsin’s national bird in the wild — no admission ticket required. Check out other great stories from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources here.
