National Wildlife Refuge · Montana · FWS Region 6

Lake Thibadeau National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Lake Thibadeau National Wildlife Refuge lies in Hill County, Montana, with about 24 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 1 mapped hunt unit: 1 open under general rules, covering about 24 huntable acres.

1 open unit
View hunt map Directions Official website ↗
1hunt units
24huntable acres
24FWS-owned acres
5game categories

Lake Thibadeau NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Lake Thibadeau NWR

Hunting opportunities include big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Montana regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Open: 24 (100%)24huntable acres
  • Open24 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Station Open 24 —

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Not listed

USFWS does not list a separate refuge permit for this station. Specific units or hunts (e.g. quota deer hunts) may still require one — check the hunt brochure.

You'll also need

  • A valid Montana hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Lake Thibadeau NWR

USFWS does not list fishing opportunities for Lake Thibadeau NWR.

How to get to Lake Thibadeau NWR

Navigate

Destination: Lake Thibadeau National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
48.74652, -109.59849
DMS
48°44′47.5″N 109°35′54.6″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Havre, MT14 mi N of town
  • Malta, MT83 mi W of town
  • Great Falls, MT117 mi NE of town
  • Lewistown, MT117 mi N of town

Closest airports

  • GTF Great Falls Intl120 mi
  • BIL Billings Logan209 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Lake Thibadeau NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in Denver local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM8:03 PM13h 30m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM7:34 PM12h 41m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM6:59 PM11h 44m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:06 AM7:36 AM6:31 PM10h 55m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:33 AM7:03 AM5:00 PM9h 57m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:56 AM7:26 AM4:40 PM9h 14m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:19 AM7:49 AM4:25 PM8h 36m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:34 AM8:04 AM4:22 PM8h 18m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:41 AM8:11 AM4:31 PM8h 20m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:36 AM8:06 AM4:47 PM8h 41m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:19 AM7:49 AM5:13 PM9h 24m

Computed for 48.747, -109.598 (MDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Lake Thibadeau NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Lake Thibadeau NWR?

Yes. Lake Thibadeau National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (24 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Lake Thibadeau NWR?

FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Lake Thibadeau NWR. You still need a valid state license, any required state tags or stamps, and (for waterfowl hunters 16+) a Federal Duck Stamp.

Where is Lake Thibadeau NWR located?

Lake Thibadeau National Wildlife Refuge is in Hill County, Montana, about 14 miles N of Havre, MT (straight-line). GPS: 48.74652, -109.59849.

What are legal shooting hours at Lake Thibadeau NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Creedman Coulee NWR

Hill County, MT · 16 mi NW

1 open
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Black Coulee NWR

Blaine County, MT · 54 mi E

1 open
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643 huntable acres

Bowdoin WMD

Phillips County, MT · 89 mi E

1 open1 special1 closed
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8.3K huntable acres

Bowdoin NWR

Phillips County, MT · 92 mi E

1 open2 special1 closed
🦆🐦🕊️🐇

15.4K huntable acres

Hewitt Lake NWR

Phillips County, MT · 92 mi E

1 open
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇

720 huntable acres

Benton Lake WMD

Cascade County, MT · 108 mi SW

2 open1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

12.8K huntable acres

Waterfowl Production Areas within 35 miles

All refuges in Montana →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.