Visit Us
Waterfowl Production Areas in the Benton Lake Wetland Management District are open year round. Acceptable outdoor uses include: hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education, and interpretation. Make sure to observe all District regulations, posted boundary signs, no hunting zones, closed areas, and additional site-specific regulations.These areas are open to migratory gamebird hunting, upland gamebird hunting, big game hunting, fishing, and trapping according to State seasons. Hunting opportunities attract people from across the United States and Canada. The Sands WPA and the H2–O WPA are closed to hunting.
Know Before You Go
As with any outdoor activity, please come prepared for weather conditions. Our Waterfowl Production Areas are unimproved natural landscapes with diverse terrain and no facilities. Bring everything you need for the day, including sunscreen, water, insect repellent, proper footwear, etc. We recommend that you pack bear spray when visiting the Blackfoot, H2-O, Jarina, Upsata Lake, Kleinschmidt, or Savik WPAs, as grizzly bears are common in these areas. We also recommend wearing blaze orange during hunting season.
Activities
Come watch a live video feed of the Sharp-Tailed Grouse located on Benton Lake NWR. The best time to see the grouse on there is first thing in the morning!
Other Facilities in the Complex
Western Montana National Wildlife Refuge Complex
For the Western Montana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the project leader is stationed at Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge and oversees general management of the Complex. Refuge managers oversee the operations at specific refuges. Supporting staff, composed of administrative, law enforcement, refuge manager, biological, fire, visitor services, and maintenance professionals support all refuges within the complex.
The Complex headquarters is located at Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, 922 Bootlegger Trail, Great Falls MT 59404.
The refuges in the Western Montana National Wildlife Refuge Complex include:
Rules and Policies
If you have questions regarding the rules and regulations or are in doubt about a specific activity, please contact the Wetland Management District headquarters at 406-727-7400.
Locations
The Benton Lake Wetland Management District headquarters is located on the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge approximately 12 miles north of Great Falls, MT. We have an additional field office in the Blackfoot Valley. Please call us or stop by if you have questions or would like more information about our Waterfowl Production Areas.
Blackfoot Valley field office (Blackfoot, H2-O, Kleinschmidt, and Upsata Lake WPAs):
H2-0 Waterfowl Production Area
967 Marsh Lane
Helmville, MT 59843
406-793-0050 (phone)
406-793-0051 (fax)