National Wildlife Refuge · Montana · FWS Region 6

Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge is located in Lake County, Montana, within an approved boundary of roughly 2,091 acres. For the 2026–2027 season, all 1 mapped hunt unit are listed as closed to hunting.

1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
0huntable acres
2.1Kboundary acres
0game categories

Ninepipe 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 Ninepipe NWR

  • Big Game
  • Waterfowl
  • Wild Turkey
  • Upland Birds
  • Migratory Birds
  • Small Game
  • Feral & Exotic
  • Fishing

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not list any hunting opportunities for this station. Fishing is available — freshwater fishing.

Hunt units (1)

Acreage by status
Closed: 2,087 (100%)0huntable acres
  • Closed2,087 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Station Closed 2,087 —

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
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Ninepipe NWR

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

Available species include yellow perch and largemouth bass. There are ice fishing opportunities from January until melt out. Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge is located on Tribal Trust Lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Ninepipe NWR

Navigate

Destination: Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
47.44253, -114.11959
DMS
47°26′33.1″N 114°07′10.5″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Missoula, MT40 mi N of town
  • Kalispell, MT53 mi S of town
  • Stevensville, MT64 mi N of town
  • Helena, MT114 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • MSO Missoula Montana36 mi
  • FCA Glacier Park Intl60 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 Ninepipe 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, 20266:23 AM6:53 AM8:19 PM13h 26m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM7:51 PM12h 39m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:03 AM7:33 AM7:18 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:23 AM7:53 AM6:50 PM10h 58m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:48 AM7:18 AM5:21 PM10h 03m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:10 AM7:40 AM5:02 PM9h 22m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:32 AM8:02 AM4:48 PM8h 46m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:46 AM8:16 AM4:46 PM8h 29m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:53 AM8:23 AM4:54 PM8h 31m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:49 AM8:19 AM5:10 PM8h 51m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:33 AM8:03 AM5:35 PM9h 32m

Computed for 47.443, -114.120 (MDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

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

Ninepipe NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Ninepipe NWR?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service does not currently list hunting opportunities at Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge. All mapped units are closed to hunting.

Do I need a permit to hunt Ninepipe NWR?

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

Can you fish at Ninepipe NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (freshwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Ninepipe NWR located?

Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge is in Lake County, Montana, about 40 miles N of Missoula, MT (straight-line). GPS: 47.44253, -114.11959.

What are legal shooting hours at Ninepipe 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

Northwest Montana WMD-Lake County

Lake County, MT · 8.3 mi SW

1 special
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

3.6K huntable acres

Pablo NWR

Lake County, MT · 13 mi N

1 closed
🎣

Swan River NWR

Lake County, MT · 34 mi N

2 special
🦌🦆🎣

1.9K huntable acres

Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County

Flathead County, MT · 44 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

7.2K huntable acres

Creston NFH

Flathead County, MT · 52 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Lee Metcalf NWR

Ravalli County, MT · 61 mi S

2 open2 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🎣

2.3K 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.