[3] Ironically, after being established as a wildlife refuge in 1937, the island was used by the United States Army for artillery practice during World War II.

The island provided a certain level of visual cover from the authorities for rum runners crossing the lake.

West Sister Island was once rumored to be the final resting place of missing Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa.

The West Sister Island National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt "as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife...," specifically designated to protect the largest wading bird nesting colony on the U.S. Great Lakes.

[8] The wildlife refuge was featured in a 2007 episode of the Discovery Channel TV series Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.