U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Wetland Management District

 Flathead County

 Authorized Public Uses

Northwest Montana

Please note that Northwest Montana Waterfowl 

Production Areas are closed to all public access 

from March 1st to July 15th each year to limit 

disturbance to nesting birds.

Welcome

We encourage you to visit and enjoy 

the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 

Waterfowl Production Areas (WPAs) 

in Northwestern Montana. The WPAs are 

administered by the Refuge staff at Lost 

Trail National Wildlife Refuge, which is 

located 20 miles northwest of Marion, 

Montana. WPAs are part of the National 

Wildlife Refuge System, a network of lands 

set aside to conserve fish and wildlife and 

their habitat for the continuing benefit of the 

American people.

General Information

WPAs are wetland and grassland areas 

purchased by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service with proceeds from the sale of 

Federal Duck Stamps and are managed 

primarily for the benefit of waterfowl and 

other migratory, water-dependent birds. 

There are five WPAs located in Flathead 

County.

Flathead WPA

This 2.362-acre WPA is located at the north 

end of Flathead Lake, 7 miles southeast of 

Kalispell. To get there, take Highway 93 south 

of Kalispell, then take Highway 82 east. There 

are several access points to the WPA along 

Highway 82.

Blasdel WPA

This 537-acre WPA is located 5 miles 

southeast of Kalispell. To get there, take 

Highway 93 south of Kalispell, then take 

Highway 82 east for 1 mile. Turn north on N. 

Somers Road, and continue 3/4 of a mile north.

Smith Lake WPA

This 923-acre WPA is located 10 miles 

west of Kalispell. Smith Lake WPA is 

considered an excellent area to view 

waterfowl and shorebirds. To get there, take 

Highway 2 West, then turn left on Kila Road. 

Parking areas are found on Kila Road and 

Smith Lake Road.

Batavia WPA

This 510-acre WPA is located 5 miles west 

of Kalispell adjacent to Highway 2 West.

McGregor Meadows WPA

This 799-acre WPA is located 28 miles 

west of Kalispell along Highway 2 West 

(approximately 8 miles west of the town 

of Marion).

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities

■ The wetland habitats of these WPAs 

support abundant waterfowl species such 

as Canada geese, mallards, redheads, 

northern pintails, American wigeons, 

northern shovelers, and blue-winged and 

green-winged teal.

■ The upland habitats support ring-necked

pheasants, wild turkeys, and gray 

partridges, and also provide nesting 

habitat for savannah sparrows, western 

meadowlarks, and song sparrows.

■ Bald and golden eagles, several species of

falcons, short-eared owls, northern harriers, 

rough-legged hawks, red-tailed hawks, and 

northern goshawks hunt on the WPAs.

■ Shorebirds such as killdeer, American 

avocets, black-necked stilts, Wilson’s 

phalaropes, and yellowlegs use the WPAs 

as rest stops during migration and also for 

nesting. 

■ Mammals found on the WPAs include mule 

and white-tailed deer, muskrats, striped 

skunks, mink, American martens, badgers, 

meadow voles, and porcupines.

Regulations 

Many recreational activities are available on 

these public lands. The following regulations 

were designed to protect both you and 

the resources that you have come here to 

experience. Please pay close attention to the 

information provided in this leaflet.

Permitted Uses

■ All WPAs are open from 1 hour before 

sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.

■ Parking is authorized in designated

areas only.

■ Bird watching, hiking, cross-country

skiing, snowshoeing, and non-commercial 

wildlife photography are authorized uses 

on all WPAs.

■ Persons possessing, transporting, or

carrying firearms on National Wildlife 

Refuge System lands must comply 

with all provisions of State and local 

law. Persons may only use (discharge) 

firearms in accordance with refuge 

regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific 

refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32).

■ The use of firearms is only permitted

during authorized hunting seasons.

■ Hunting, fishing, and trapping are

permitted on WPAs according to Federal 

and State regulations. Flathead, Blasdel, 

and Batavia WPAs are restricted to 

hunting with archery equipment, shotgun, 

traditional handgun, muzzleloader, or 

crossbow only. Only approved non-toxic

shot may be used or possessed when 

hunting upland game birds and waterfowl.

■ Temporary, portable blinds (and those 

made of native materials) or tree stands 

are permitted, but must be removed 

at the end of each hunting day.

■ Boating is allowed on Flathead Lake, Smith

Lake, and the Flathead River. Motorboats 

must be operated at no wake speeds.

■ Pets must be kept on a leash at all

times, except during a State-approved 

hunting season when hunting dogs 

must be under the immediate 

control of the hunter at all times.

Prohibited Uses

■ Overnight parking or camping is prohibited.

■ Fires are prohibited.

■ Collecting, injuring, disturbing, destroying,

or harming any animal, animal part 

(including antlers), or plants is prohibited 

unless authorized.

■ The use of nails, bolts, wire, and screws to

attach a stand or blind to a tree is 

prohibited.

■ Horses and horseback riding is prohibited.

■ Commercial dog trials are prohibited.

■ Blocking roads or gates is prohibited.

■ Off-road motorized vehicle use, including

motorcycles, snowmobiles, and all terrain 

vehicles, is prohibited.

This goose, designed 

by J.N. “Ding” Darling,

is the symbol of the

National Wildlife

Refuge System.
Accessibility Information 

Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs and activities of the U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service is available to all individuals regardless of physical or mental ability. Dial 

711 for a free connection to the State relay service for TTY and voice calls to and from the 

speech and hearing impaired. For information or to address accessibility needs, please contact 

the Refuge staff at 406 / 858 2216, or the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Equal 

Opportunity, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge

6295 Pleasant Valley Road

Marion, MT 59925

406 / 858-2216

406 / 858-2218 fax

http://www.fws.gov/losttrail

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

http://www.fws.gov

For State relay service

TTY / Voice: 711

For Refuge System Information

1-800-344-WILD

April 2013