Wetland Management District · Montana · FWS Region 6

Northwest Montana Wetland Management District-Flathead County Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Flathead County, Montana, Northwest Montana Wetland Management District-Flathead County is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 7,953 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 3 mapped hunt units: 2 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 7,219 huntable acres.

2 with special regs1 closed
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
3hunt units
7.2Khuntable acres
8KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County 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 Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County

Permitted hunting categories are big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available.

Northwest Montana WMD includes 1 waterfowl production areas (WPAs) open to public hunting in the Flathead and Mission valleys. Ranging in size from 28 to 2,370 acres, these areas offer excellent waterfowl and upland bird hunting.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland 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 (3)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 7,219 (99%)Closed: 82 (1%)7.2Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations7,219 ac 99%
  • Closed82 ac 1%
Units by size (acres)
WPA No Rifle
3,945 ac
WPA Open
3,274 ac
WPA Closed
82 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
WPA No Rifle
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 3,945 —
WPA Open
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 3,274 —
WPA Closed
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 82 —

Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County by the numbers

With about 7,219 huntable acres, Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County ranks #10 of 23 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Montana and #228 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 99% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is WPA No Rifle (3,945 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, WPA Open, covers 3,274 acres.

1 unit totaling 82 acres is closed to hunting (WPA Closed). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

6 Waterfowl Production Areas lie within 35 miles; the closest is Lazy N Ranch WPA (1,931 acres, 2 miles W).

When to hunt Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Montana sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

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 Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County

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

    How to get to Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County

    Navigate

    Destination: Northwest Montana Wetland Management District-Flathead County (FWS reference point)

    Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
    Decimal
    48.08033, -114.14432
    DMS
    48°04′49.2″N 114°08′39.6″W

    Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

    Nearest towns

    • Kalispell, MT11 mi SE of town
    • Missoula, MT84 mi N of town
    • Bonners Ferry, ID108 mi E of town
    • Stevensville, MT109 mi N of town

    Closest airports

    • FCA Glacier Park Intl17 mi
    • MSO Missoula Montana80 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 Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County

    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 AM8:20 PM13h 28m
    Tue, Sep 15, 20266:41 AM7:11 AM7:51 PM12h 40m
    Thu, Oct 1, 20267:03 AM7:33 AM7:18 PM11h 44m
    Thu, Oct 15, 20267:24 AM7:54 AM6:50 PM10h 56m
    Sun, Nov 1, 20266:50 AM7:20 AM5:20 PM9h 60m
    Sun, Nov 15, 20267:12 AM7:42 AM5:00 PM9h 18m
    Tue, Dec 1, 20267:35 AM8:05 AM4:46 PM8h 42m
    Tue, Dec 15, 20267:49 AM8:19 AM4:43 PM8h 24m
    Fri, Jan 1, 20277:56 AM8:26 AM4:52 PM8h 26m
    Fri, Jan 15, 20277:52 AM8:22 AM5:08 PM8h 46m
    Mon, Feb 1, 20277:35 AM8:05 AM5:33 PM9h 28m

    Computed for 48.080, -114.144 (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.

    Waterfowl Production Areas managed by Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County

    This district manages 7 named WPAs totaling 7,953 acres of walk-in public land. The largest are listed below; each links to its county guide with a satellite map and directions.

    WPACountyAcres
    Prongua WPAFlathead County2,465
    Lazy N Ranch WPAFlathead County1,931
    Smith Lake WPAFlathead County1,583
    McGregor Meadows WPAFlathead County826
    Trust for Public Land WPAFlathead County536
    Batavia WPAFlathead County531
    Lost Trail WPAFlathead County82

    Guides for hunting Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County

    Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

    How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

    Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

    How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

    Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

    Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

    Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

    Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

    Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety

    How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, and…

    Pheasant and Upland Bird Hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas

    Why WPAs are some of the best walk-in pheasant ground in the Midwest, how to hunt them early and late in the season…

    Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County FAQ

    Is hunting allowed at Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County?

    Yes. Northwest Montana Wetland Management District-Flathead County offers hunting in 2 units (7,219 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, 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 Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County?

    FWS data does not list a separate refuge hunting permit for Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County. 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 Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County?

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

    Where is Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County located?

    Northwest Montana Wetland Management District-Flathead County is in Flathead County, Montana, about 11 miles SE of Kalispell, MT (straight-line). GPS: 48.08033, -114.14432.

    What are legal shooting hours at Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County?

    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

    Creston NFH

    Flathead County, MT · 8.3 mi N

    1 closed
    No hunting listed

    Swan River NWR

    Lake County, MT · 18 mi SE

    2 special
    🦌🦆🎣

    1.9K huntable acres

    Pablo NWR

    Lake County, MT · 31 mi S

    1 closed
    🎣

    Lost Trail NWR

    Flathead County, MT · 35 mi W

    1 open1 closed
    🦌🦃🐦

    3.2K huntable acres

    Ninepipe NWR

    Lake County, MT · 44 mi S

    1 closed
    🎣

    Northwest Montana WMD-Lake County

    Lake County, MT · 50 mi S

    1 special
    🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

    3.6K 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 October 28, 2026.