Tishomingo NWR is located in southern Oklahoma in Johnston County wrapped around the northern shores of Lake Texoma. The refuge gets its name from a well-known Chickasaw Indian Chief and is shared with the nearby town.
The refuge offers a variety of aquatic habitats for wildlife. Seasonally flooded flats and willow shallows provide excellent wildlife habitat. Upland areas includes grassland, wild plum thickets and elm, hickory and oak hardwood forestsd. Populations of up to 100,000 ducks and 45,000 geese frequent the refuge in fall and winter. Geese species include Canada, snow and white-front. Mallards, teal and other dabblers are the most common ducks. Waterfowl numbers generally peak between mid-December and late January during which time bald eagles numbering from 50 to 90 may be seen, as well. During the spring and fall migrations, ducks, grebes, gulls, herons, pelicans, sandpipers, and numerous upland birds can be found.