Little George Island is a small, remote island located in Lake Winnipeg’s northern basin near Poplar River First Nation. The island is designated as an Ecological Reserve (the highest level of protection awarded provincially), preserving the habitat present there and offering protection for bird species that inhabit the island during parts of the year. Because Little George Island is categorized by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a protected area, it is primarily accessed for scientific research and environmental monitoring. Hunting, logging, mining, oil and gas exploration, and hydro development are prohibited on within a perimeter around the island.

The Little George Island IBA is globally significant for its congregatory species; in particular, a lagoon connects the island with a sandy point extending to the northwest of the island that supports large numbers of nesting Caspian Terns (up to 3,800 nests representing at least 7.6% of the North American population in 1992) and Common Terns. However, numbers of nesting Caspian Terns have fluctuated dramatically over the years, and many appear to have moved to a new colony. Additionally, the island supports some nesting Greater Scaup, representing the southernmost documented nesting site for this species. Other species that nest in the Little George Island IBA include Herring Gulls, Ring-billed Gulls, and Double-crested Cormorants.

The island is located in a remote area of Lake Winnipeg which is known for its powerful wind-storms. While these storms typically protect Little George Island from human activity, severe storms may threaten birds nesting on the island. 

See below for maps on where to find birds, stories relating to Little George Island IBA, and priorities for monitoring.

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