Wetland Management District · Montana · FWS Region 6

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

Located in Lake County, Montana, Northwest Montana Wetland Management District-Lake County is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 3,669 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 with special regulations, covering about 3,557 huntable acres.

1 with special regs
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
1hunt units
3.6Khuntable acres
3.7KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Northwest Montana WMD-Lake 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-Lake 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 — freshwater fishing.

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 (1)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 3,557 (100%)3.6Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations3,557 ac 100%
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
WPA Open Special regs 3,557 —

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-Lake County

  • 🐟 Freshwater fishing

The primary fishing opportunities are on Smith Lake Waterfowl Production Area in Flathead Valley. People can access shoreline fishing on Flathead Lake from the Flathead Waterfowl Production Area.

— U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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

How to get to Northwest Montana WMD-Lake County

Navigate

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

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
47.36696, -114.25640
DMS
47°22′01.1″N 114°15′23.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Missoula, MT37 mi N of town
  • Kalispell, MT58 mi S of town
  • Stevensville, MT60 mi N of town
  • Helena, MT117 mi NW of town

Closest airports

  • MSO Missoula Montana32 mi
  • FCA Glacier Park Intl65 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-Lake 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, 20266:24 AM6:54 AM8:20 PM13h 25m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:42 AM7:12 AM7:51 PM12h 39m
Thu, Oct 1, 20267:04 AM7:34 AM7:19 PM11h 45m
Thu, Oct 15, 20267:23 AM7:53 AM6:51 PM10h 58m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:49 AM7:19 AM5:22 PM10h 03m
Sun, Nov 15, 20267:10 AM7:40 AM5:03 PM9h 23m
Tue, Dec 1, 20267:32 AM8:02 AM4:49 PM8h 47m
Tue, Dec 15, 20267:47 AM8:17 AM4:47 PM8h 30m
Fri, Jan 1, 20277:54 AM8:24 AM4:55 PM8h 32m
Fri, Jan 15, 20277:49 AM8:19 AM5:11 PM8h 51m
Mon, Feb 1, 20277:34 AM8:04 AM5:36 PM9h 32m

Computed for 47.367, -114.256 (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.

Northwest Montana WMD-Lake County FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Northwest Montana WMD-Lake County?

Yes. Northwest Montana Wetland Management District-Lake County offers hunting in 1 unit (3,557 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-Lake County?

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

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

Where is Northwest Montana WMD-Lake County located?

Northwest Montana Wetland Management District-Lake County is in Lake County, Montana, about 37 miles N of Missoula, MT (straight-line). GPS: 47.36696, -114.25640.

What are legal shooting hours at Northwest Montana WMD-Lake 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

Ninepipe NWR

Lake County, MT · 8.3 mi NE

1 closed
🎣

Pablo NWR

Lake County, MT · 19 mi N

1 closed
🎣

Swan River NWR

Lake County, MT · 42 mi NE

2 special
🦌🦆🎣

1.9K huntable acres

Northwest Montana WMD-Flathead County

Flathead County, MT · 50 mi N

2 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

7.2K huntable acres

Lee Metcalf NWR

Ravalli County, MT · 57 mi S

2 open2 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🎣

2.3K huntable acres

Creston NFH

Flathead County, MT · 58 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

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.