The Stillness Before the Hunt: Winter Bald Eagle Watching in Wisconsin and Minnesota

There’s something pretty incredible about standing along a river on a bitterly cold winter morning, waiting for Mother Nature to put on a show.

The air is cold enough to make you question why you crawled out of your warm bed in the first place. Your fingers are freezing, your coffee is probably getting cold, and for a while, absolutely nothing happens.

Then, out of nowhere, a bald eagle soars overhead.

Suddenly, you forget all about the cold!

You watch as this magnificent bird circles above the river, scanning the water below. Then, in a matter of seconds, it drops toward the surface, stretches out those powerful talons, and attempts to grab its next meal.

I’ve been fortunate enough to witness bald eagles diving into the water to catch fish, and I’ve even managed to capture a few of those incredible moments with my camera.

And let me tell you, it never gets old!

As a wildlife photographer, I’ve spent countless hours along the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers watching and photographing bald eagles. Some days, the action is nonstop. Other days, Mother Nature makes me work a little harder for those photographs.

But that’s part of what I love about wildlife photography. You never know what you’re going to see, and sometimes the most memorable moments happen when you least expect them.

The wonderful thing is that you don’t have to travel across the country to experience these incredible birds. Wisconsin and Minnesota offer some fantastic opportunities to observe bald eagles during the winter months, often within a short drive of home.

Why Winter Is Such a Great Time to Watch Bald Eagles

When most people think about wildlife watching, winter probably isn’t the first season that comes to mind.

After all, temperatures drop, lakes freeze over, and many animals seem to disappear until spring.

Bald eagles, however, have other plans!

As lakes and smaller waterways begin freezing, eagles search for areas where open water remains available. Since fish make up a significant portion of their diet, access to unfrozen rivers becomes especially important.

This is where the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers come into play.

Areas below dams and stretches of moving water often remain open even during the coldest months. These locations can attract bald eagles searching for food, sometimes bringing several birds together in one relatively small area.

And when that happens, it can be quite a sight!

You might see eagles perched high in the trees, soaring above the river, chasing one another, or diving toward the water in search of fish.

I’ve had mornings when I could barely decide which eagle to point my camera toward. Of course, I’ve also had mornings when they seemed perfectly content to sit in a tree and do absolutely nothing.

Apparently, eagles don’t always appreciate my photography schedule. LOL!

Where to Watch Bald Eagles in Wisconsin and Minnesota

One of the things I love most about living near the Wisconsin-Minnesota border is having access to two states filled with wonderful wildlife-viewing opportunities.

You don’t have to travel far to find beautiful rivers, wooded shorelines, and places where bald eagles spend their winters.

Here are a few locations worth exploring.

The St. Croix River — Wisconsin and Minnesota

The St. Croix River has long been one of my favorite places to photograph bald eagles.

Stretching along the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota, this beautiful river offers opportunities to observe eagles throughout the year, but winter can be especially rewarding.

The area around St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, and Taylors Falls, Minnesota, is worth exploring, particularly where open water is available.

You may find eagles perched in the trees along the riverbanks or soaring above the water looking for their next meal.

What makes this area special to me isn’t just the eagles. It’s the scenery, the peacefulness, and those quiet moments when it feels like the rest of the world has disappeared.

Well, at least until my fingers start freezing!

Wabasha and Read’s Landing — Minnesota

If you’re looking for a well-known destination for winter bald eagle watching, Wabasha, Minnesota, deserves a spot on your list.

Located along the Mississippi River, Wabasha is home to the National Eagle Center, where visitors can learn about bald eagles, their behavior, and conservation efforts.

Just north of Wabasha, the Read’s Landing area is another popular location for observing wintering eagles.

Depending on river conditions and food availability, numerous eagles may gather along this stretch of the Mississippi.

It’s a wonderful area to bring your binoculars, camera, and, of course, plenty of warm clothing.

Alma, Wisconsin — Mississippi River

Another location worth visiting is Alma, Wisconsin, along the Mississippi River.

The area around Lock and Dam No. 4 can offer opportunities to watch bald eagles hunting and resting near the river.

Moving water below the dam may provide feeding opportunities when surrounding waterways are frozen.

The bluffs and river scenery also make this a beautiful place to explore, even when the eagles aren’t cooperating.

And let’s face it, sometimes the scenery becomes the photograph when the wildlife decides to take the day off!

Hastings and Prescott — Minnesota and Wisconsin

Where the St. Croix River meets the Mississippi, the communities of Hastings, Minnesota, and Prescott, Wisconsin, offer another area worth exploring.

This region has a wonderful combination of rivers, wooded shorelines, and open water that can attract bald eagles during the winter months.

It’s also a great reminder that some of the best wildlife experiences can happen close to home.

You don’t always need an expensive vacation or a trip into the wilderness. Sometimes all you need is a full tank of gas, a little patience, and the willingness to see what’s waiting around the next bend.

Tips for Enjoying Winter Bald Eagle Watching

Whether you’re an experienced wildlife photographer or someone who simply enjoys watching nature, a little preparation can make your winter eagle adventure much more enjoyable.

Get out early, but don’t overlook the afternoon.

Morning can be a wonderful time to observe eagles as they search for food, especially when the light is soft and beautiful for photography. Late afternoon can also offer opportunities as birds feed or begin settling into their evening roosts.

Activity varies with weather, food availability, and river conditions, so there really isn’t a guaranteed time.

Use your vehicle as a viewing blind.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that my vehicle can be one of my most useful photography tools.

Eagles may tolerate vehicles better than people approaching on foot. When parked legally and safely, staying inside your vehicle can allow you to observe wildlife without causing unnecessary disturbance.

Just remember to never block traffic or stop somewhere unsafe.

Bring binoculars or a long lens.

You don’t need expensive photography equipment to enjoy watching bald eagles.

A good pair of binoculars can provide an incredible view of these magnificent birds.

For photographers, a telephoto lens allows you to capture their behavior while maintaining a respectful distance.

Dress for the weather.

I cannot stress this one enough!

Wisconsin and Minnesota winters are no joke, especially when you’re standing near open water with the wind blowing.

Layers, insulated boots, gloves, and hand warmers can make the difference between an enjoyable morning and one where you’re wondering why you ever left the house.

And don’t forget that thermos of hot coffee or cocoa!

Respect the wildlife.

As a photographer who follows Nature First principles, protecting wildlife and their habitats is always more important than getting the photograph.

Bald eagles need to conserve energy during the winter months. Repeatedly disturbing them while they’re feeding or resting can create unnecessary stress.

If an eagle becomes alert to your presence, changes its behavior, or flies away because you’re approaching, you’ve gotten too close.

Give them space, observe from a distance, and let them go about their lives naturally.

No photograph is worth disturbing the very wildlife we’ve come to appreciate.

Chasing the Shot: The Beauty of Slowing Down

One of the greatest lessons wildlife photography has taught me is patience.

And believe me, Mother Nature has tested mine more than once!

I’ve been fortunate enough to witness bald eagles diving into the water to catch fish, and I’ve even managed to capture a few of those incredible moments with my camera.

But there’s one particular photograph I’ve been chasing for quite some time.

I want to capture a bald eagle flying directly toward me, talons extended, just as it’s about to snatch a fish from the water.

I’ve come close a few times. So close that I could almost taste that perfect shot! But something hasn’t been quite right. Maybe the angle was off, the eagle turned at the last second, or the action happened just a little too far away.

Whatever the reason, I haven’t quite captured that moment I’ve been dreaming of.

And that’s okay.

Another photograph on my winter bucket list is two bald eagles locking talons in midair. It’s an incredible behavior to witness, and capturing that interaction through my lens would be something special.

Of course, both of these photographs require the eagles to cooperate, and we all know wildlife doesn’t take direction very well! LOL!

Until those opportunities present themselves, I’ll keep heading out with my camera, enjoying whatever Mother Nature decides to share with me.

Because that’s the thing about wildlife photography. Sometimes you come home with hundreds of photographs, and sometimes you come home with nothing more than cold fingers and a wonderful memory.

But every outing teaches me something, and every encounter reminds me why I love doing this.

There have been plenty of mornings when I’ve sat watching an eagle perched in a tree, waiting for it to do something exciting.

Sometimes it does.

Sometimes it sits there for another hour, probably wondering why that crazy woman with the camera is still watching it.

But even on those quiet mornings, there’s something special about being outside.

The sound of water moving between sheets of ice. The occasional call of an eagle echoing across the river. The soft winter light touching the bare branches of the trees.

These are the moments that remind me why I fell in love with nature photography in the first place.

The photograph I’m dreaming of may still be out there waiting for me, but I’m not going to miss the beauty happening right in front of me while I’m chasing it.

A New Winter Adventure: Chasing the Shot

This winter, I’ve decided to take you along on a little adventure I’m calling Chasing the Shot: My Winter Eagle Adventures.

I’ll be sharing some of my experiences along the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers as I continue working toward those bucket-list photographs.

There will probably be some exciting encounters, a few missed opportunities, plenty of freezing mornings, and maybe even a little colorful language when an eagle decides to fly in the wrong direction at the last second!

But that’s wildlife photography.

You can’t plan every moment, and you certainly can’t tell a bald eagle what to do.

All you can do is prepare, be patient, and hope you’re ready when that special moment finally happens.

Will this be the winter I capture those photographs I’ve been dreaming of?

I have absolutely no idea.

But I’m looking forward to finding out!

And even if Mother Nature makes me wait another winter, that’s perfectly fine with me.

The story is still being written, and I’m totally okay with that.

Bringing a Little of the Wild Home

Bald eagles have become one of my favorite subjects to photograph, and I don’t think that will ever change.

There’s something about their strength, resilience, and unmistakable presence that continues to amaze me.

Every encounter is different, and every photograph has its own story.

Through Tina Faye Photography, I hope to share not only the beauty of these incredible birds but also the feeling of peace and connection that comes from spending time in nature.

If you enjoy bald eagles as much as I do, I invite you to explore my collection of eagle photography and discover some of the moments I’ve been fortunate enough to capture.

And if you’ve never experienced winter eagle watching in Wisconsin or Minnesota, I encourage you to give it a try.

Bundle up, grab your binoculars or camera, and head toward the river.

You never know what Mother Nature might have waiting for you.

And who knows? Maybe I’ll see you out there, freezing my fingers off right alongside you!

Happy birding and happy photographing!

To learn more about Bald Eagles visit the National Eagle Center located in Wabasha, MN.