Public Use 

Opportunities

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Ninepipe and 

Pablo 

National Wildlife

Refuges
Welcome 

Located in the Mission Valley of northwestern Montana, 

Ninepipe and Pablo National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) were 

each established in 1921 “as a refuge and breeding ground for 

native birds.” These Refuges, located on Tribal land within the 

Flathead Indian Reservation, are part of the National Wildlife 

Refuge System – a network of lands set aside specifically 

for wildlife. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

(Service), the Refuge System is a living heritage, preserving 

wildlife and habitat for people today and generations to come. 

The Service works with neighboring land managers, the 

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) and the 

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP), to manage these 

Refuges as part of a larger wetland and upland vegetation 

community. 

The rolling terrain and interspersed small wetlands of the 

Mission Valley were created by pre-historic glacial activity. 

These wetlands are called kettles, and were formed from 

melting glacial ice and are of enormous value to many wildlife 

species. Within this rich and productive environment, these 

Refuges provide unique benefits to wildlife by being among 

the few places in the valley where wildlife protection and 

conservation are the driving priorities. 

Ninepipe and Pablo NWRs support an abundance of species 

and offer remarkable birding opportunities. Enjoy a walk on a 

short interpretive trail at Ninepipe NWR (see map) and learn 

about Refuge habitats and the animals that live there. With the 

Mission Mountains to the east providing a dramatic backdrop, 

look for flocks of trumpeter swans, great blue heron rookeries, 

bald eagle and osprey nests, Forster’s tern colonies, snowy owls 

in the winter, and much more.

Please take advantage of the outstanding opportunities 

available for wildlife observation, photography, fishing, and 

environmental education. Hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, 

and snowshoeing are also permitted on these Refuges, but 

please be mindful of regulations and closed areas, and comply 

with all posted signs. 

Visit our website for current updates and more detailed 

information. http://www.fws.gov/refuge/national_bison_range

Refuge Regulations

To help protect wildlife and wildlife habitat 

and ensure your safety, we ask that you please 

follow the regulations listed in this leaflet.

■Ninepipe and Pablo NWRs are open to public use from

sunrise to sunset, except during seasonal closures.

■Pets must be on a leash and under control at all times.

■Use of boats, float tubes, and any other floatation device is

prohibited.

■Leaving or dumping litter, any dead animal, or fish 

or fish entrails on Refuge land is prohibited. 

■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).

■Fireworks are prohibited.

■Collection or disturbance of natural objects, such as, 

plants, animals, feathers, antlers, or rocks and minerals 

is not permitted without a special use permit. Call 

the Refuge headquarters for more information. 

■Fires are prohibited.

■Off-road travel (including vehicle travel on ice)

is not permitted.

■Possession or consumption of alcohol by persons under

21 years is prohibited.

■Possession of a controlled substance is prohibited

(50 CFR 27.82).

■Drug paraphernalia, including any instrument that facilitates

the consumption of a controlled substance, is prohibited.

Closures 

Closures and access limitations are necessary for visitor safety 

and to protect nesting birds. See the reverse side of this sheet 

for further information about when and where area closures will 

occur. 

■Ninepipe and Pablo NWRs are CLOSED to ALL hunting and

trapping, by both members and non-members of the CSKT. 

■Both Refuges are closed to ALL public use during waterfowl

hunting season.

■Be aware there may be special closures due to low water, or 

other unforeseen events.

■Certain areas on each Refuge are designated as closed during

breeding seasons to allow birds to nest and rest.

■Off-shore islands are closed to public use at all times in order

to limit disturbance to migratory birds.

This blue goose, designed by J.N. 

“Ding” Darling, is the symbol of the 

National Wildlife Refuge System.
Hunting on Lands Adjacent to the Refuges

■For hunting on lands adjacent to Refuge land, consult the

Flathead Indian Reservation Fishing, Bird Hunting, and 

Recreation Regulations of the CSKT and the MTFWP. Obtain 

a copy of the Regulations or more information by contacting 

the Tribal Fish and Game staff at 406 / 883 2888 or MTFWP 

staff at 406 / 752 5501.

■If you hunt on land adjacent to Refuge land, plan your shots

to ensure that game does not fall within Refuge boundaries. 

If your game does fall within the boundary, you must contact 

Refuge law enforcement staff at 406 / 883 7301, before 

attempting retrieval.

Fishing on Refuge Land 

Fishing is permitted on both Refuges in accordance with the 

Flathead Indian Reservation Fishing, Bird Hunting, and 

Recreation Regulations of the CSKT and the MTFWP. 

■All anglers must have in their immediate possession a

Flathead Reservation Use and Conservation Permit with 

a Flathead Reservation Fishing Stamp or CSKT Tribal 

Identification Card. Permit vendors are listed in the 

regulations. 

■Upon the request of a law enforcement officer, an angler 

must show the required Flathead Reservation Use and 

Conservation Permit with a Flathead Reservation Fishing 

Stamp or CSKT Tribal Identification Card.

■Daily bag and possession limits, licensing requirements, and

general information are found in the Flathead Indian 

Reservation Fishing, Bird Hunting, and Recreation 

Regulations.

■The use of lead or lead-based lures or sinkers is prohibited.

■The Ninepipe Family Fishing Pond is located on MTFWP

land west of Highway 93, adjacent to Ninepipe NWR. This 

pond is open to anglers of all ages, but those who are 15 years 

and older must release any fish caught.

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 / 644 2211, or the U.S. Department of 

the Interior, Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street, NW, 

Washington, D.C. 20240.
Flathead

Lake

National

Bison

Range

Pablo

NWR

Ninepipe

NWR

Kicking 

Horse

Reservoir

93

212

35

200

to

Missoula

to

Kalispell

St. Ignatius

Charlo

Ronan

Pablo

Polson

Lower

Crow

Reservoir

Flathea d Ri v er

Round Butte Road

Back Road

Ninepipe

NWR

Charlo

Ninepipe

Reservoir

Ninepipe Lane

Ninepipe Road

Leon

Kerns

Fish Hatchery

Gunlock Rd

Eagle 

Pass Rd

Kicking

Horse Rd 212

Piedalue Road

Duck Rd

McDonald 

Lake Rd

Olsen Road

Kicking 

Horse

Reservoir

0 1 1.5 Miles

0 1 1.5 Kilometers

N

Nesting Area

Closed March 1 − July 14

93

To

Ronan

To

National 

Bison Range

Logan Road

Access and Seasonal Closures*

Dates ** Ninepipe NWR Pablo NWR

From the day after 

waterfowl hunting 

season closes 

(early Jan.)

to the last day of Feb.

Entire Refuge 

is Open

North and east

shorelines are 

open (see map)

March 1 to 

July 14

Nesting Area 

closed; 

everything else open 

(see map)

North and east 

shorelines 

are open 

(see map)

July 15 to 

the day before 

waterfowl hunting

season opens 

(late Sept.)

Entire Refuge 

is Open

North and east

shorelines 

are open 

(see map)

From the first day 

to the last day of 

waterfowl hunting 

season (late Sept. 

to early Jan.)

Entire Refuge is Closed

(through travel along 

public access roads

is permitted)

Entire Refuge 

is Closed

* Both Refuges are CLOSED to ALL hunting and trapping 

 year-round.

** For exact dates regarding hunting and fishing seasons, annually consult 

the Flathead Indian Reservation Fishing, Bird Hunting, and Recreation 

Regulations of the CSKT and the MTFWP.

Ninepipe and Pablo

National Wildlife Refuges

National Wildlife Refuge boundary

Area closed to public access

Entrance gate

Parking area

MTFWP viewing area

Ninepipe family fishing pond

Interpretive trail

Pablo

NWR

93

Pablo

Reservoir

Reservoir Road

Reservoir Road Skyline Drive

Glover Road

Light Road

Caffrey Road

Back Road

Skyline Drive

0 .5 1 Miles

0 .5 1 Kilometers

N

M

C

i

l

g

o

ratory Bird Sanctuary sed Year Round

To 

Ninepipe

NWR and

National 

Bison 

Range

To

Polson
National Bison Range Complex

58355 Bison Range Road

Moiese, MT 59824

406 / 644 2211

406 / 644 2661 fax

bisonrange@fws.gov

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/national_bison_range

Emergency contact: 911

After hours law enforcement contact:

Lake County Sheriff’s Office

406 / 883 7301

For State relay service

TTY / Voice: 711

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

http://www.fws.gov

For Refuge Information

1 800 / 344 WILD

January 2014