Visit Us

The Bowdoin Wetland Management District provides opportunity to engage in a variety of outdoor recreation activities.

Our visitor services' goal is to provide visitors of all abilities with wildlife-dependent recreation, interpretation, and environmental education opportunities that foster an appreciation and understanding of the unique wildlife, plant communities, and cultural resources of the Montana Prairie Pothole Region.

Activities

Bowdoin Wetland Management District provides numerous recreation opportunities to thousands of visitors every year. People enjoy viewing the unique geology and diverse wildlife, whether boating, driving or hiking. Regulation of recreation activities allow for public enjoyment of the refuge lands while still protecting the wildlife and habitats.

Hunting

Hunting opportunities are abundant within the Bowdoin Wetland Management District. The area includes a diversity of habitats including wetlands, grasslands, and river bottoms. These habitats support a variety of species including waterfowl, sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, grey partridge, pronghorn, deer and other game species.

Except for Holm Waterfowl Production Area (WPA), all WPAs within the Bowdoin Wetland Management District are open to hunting big game, migratory birds, upland game, and furbearers according to state game laws and regulations. However, be sure to check the rules and regulations section and the Bowdoin Wetland Management District Public Use Regulation Brochure for special regulations. All waterfowl hunting equipment must be removed at the end of each hunting day. All deer stands must be removed by December 15. No permanent blinds or deer stands are allowed. See the Bowdoin Wetland Management District Public Use Regulation brochure for further information.

Fishing

Wetlands on Waterfowl Production Areas are generally open to fishing in accordance with state fishing regulations. However, opportunities for fishing are limited because most of the wetlands throughout the district are shallow and few support popular game fish. Some recreational fishing opportunities can be found on McNeil Slough Waterfowl Production Area and Hammond Waterfowl Production Area (Milk River) and Beaver Creek Waterfowl Production Area (Beaver Creek). All boats, fishing equipment, and other personal property must be removed at the end of each day. Non-motorized boats are allowed on Waterfowl Production Areas. No fishing is permitted on satellite refuges.

Anglers have many quality fishing opportunities on other public lands around the Bowdoin Wetland Management District including Nelson Reservoir, Cole Ponds, Milk River, Missouri River, Fort Peck Reservoir, and stocked ponds on other public lands. Find more information through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks https://fwp.mt.gov/fish

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing and observation is an integral part of the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and is allowed on every satellite refuge and waterfowl production area waterfowl production area
Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands within the National Wildlife Refuge System that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for millions of waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. Virtually all waterfowl production areas are in the Prairie Pothole Region states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Learn more about waterfowl production area in the Bowdoin Wetland Management District. The District provides visitors with an opportunity to experience a variety of habitats and associated wildlife. Bird watchers come from around the world to view more than 260 species of birds including abundant waterfowl, Baird's sparrow, Sprague's Pipit, McCown Longspurs, and Greater Sage Grouse. Access is by walk-in only and portable blinds may be used but must be removed daily. The Pearce WPA has an accessible viewing/photography blind available for use.

Photography

Perhaps the fastest growing activity on national wildlife refuges in the past ten years has been wildlife photography. You don’t need to purchase expensive equipment or have any experience to get started.  A small camera or basic cell phone will do just fine for most visitors.

Nearly 12 million people visit outdoor areas each year to photograph wildlife, and national wildlife refuges naturally are at the top of the list. Whether it is photographing the vast prairie at sunset or capturing a Black-necked Stilt wading, opportunities abound for beginning and experienced photographers alike throughout the District. Being quiet and patient are key to capturing many of your memories in this natural setting.

Hunting
Fishing
Wildlife watching
Photography

Trails

The ten waterfowl production areas, all of which are open to the public, are spread across our district in Blaine, Hill, and Phillips counties. While no formalized recreation trails exist in these areas, visitors are encouraged to get out and explore these areas by walking.

Other Facilities in the Complex

From the money produced from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps, the Bowdoin Wetland Management Districtwas created. 

Beaver Creek Waterfowl Production Area is located next to the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, the waterfowl production area waterfowl production area
Waterfowl production areas are small natural wetlands and grasslands within the National Wildlife Refuge System that provide breeding, resting and nesting habitat for millions of waterfowl, shorebirds, grassland birds and other wildlife. Virtually all waterfowl production areas are in the Prairie Pothole Region states of Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Learn more about waterfowl production area was purchased in 1992 and added two new tracts in 2000 and 2003. This 2,125 acre area consists of wetlands, riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

Learn more about riparian areas, DNC (dense nesting cover), and native prairie.

Black Coulee Waterfowl Production Area lies within the Executive boundary of the Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge. It is a 184 acre area acquired in 1982 and contains wetlands and native prairie.

Dyrdahl Waterfowl Production Area is 8 miles northwest of Loring in Phillips County, Montana. It is a 1,327 acre area acquired in 1985 and contains wetlands, DNC, and native grassland.

Hammond Waterfowl Production Area is located adjacent to McNeil Slough Waterfowl Production Area and borders the Milk River. The 242 acre area was acquired in 2014 and contains grassland, wetland, and riparian habitats. 

Hewitt Lake Waterfowl Production Area lies within the Executive boundary of Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Purchased in 1992, the 320 acre area contains wetlands and native prairie.

Holm Waterfowl Production Area was the first waterfowl production area to be acquired in 1977 and is the only waterfowl production area in the district that is closed to hunting. The property was sold to the Service by the three Holm brothers who wished to have their farm (located north of Chinook) preserved as a sanctuary for Canada geese. The 2,250 acre area contains wetlands (natural, constructed or enhanced, and prairie stream), DNC, and native prairie.

Korsbeck Waterfowl Production Area is 12 miles south of Dodson in Phillips County, Montana. It was acquired in 1990. The 1,041 acre area consists of wetlands, DNC, and native praire. The Service also holds a State of Montana grazing lease on 320 acres of native prairie, which is managed as part of the waterfowl production area.

McNeil Slough Waterfowl Production Area borders the Milk River for 4 miles along its north boundary, Big McNeil Slough to the south and Hewitt Lake Refuge to the west. A purchase of an inholding in 2008 was added to the original lands acquired in 1992. The 1,339 acre area contains wetland, DNC, and native prairie grassland.

Pearce Waterfowl Production Area, purchased in 1977, is adjacent to the northeastern boundary of Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge. The 438 acre area contains wetlands, DNC, and native grasslands.

Webb Waterfowl Production Area is 1 mile north of Dyrdahl Waterfowl Production Areaand was acquired in 1978. The 476 acre area contains wetlands, DNC, and native praire.

flock of flying mallard ducks dropping in to land
Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge
Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge is a land of rolling mixed-grass prairie with major drainages running in a northeasterly direction, and with a 173 acre reservoir. Black Coulee Reservoir provides water for migratory birds as well as nesting and brood-rearing habitat. It also serves as an...
National Wildlife Refuge
Malta,MT
Flock of Northern Shovelers landing among other ducks
Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge
Welcome to Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge. Established in 1936, with the primary purpose of preserving and enhancing resting, feeding, and breeding habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, this 15,551-acre refuge contains numerous wetlands. The habitats provide a refuge and breeding ground...
National Wildlife Refuge
Malta,MT
Mallard duck in flight
Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge
Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge is primarily composed of Refuge easements. Visiting Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge requires securing permission from surrounding landowners, as there is no public access to the portion of the refuge owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
National Wildlife Refuge
Malta,MT
White-faced Ibis Silhouette
Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The general topography of Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge is rolling, mixed-grass prairie with the major drainage running in an easterly direction. The lake, enhanced by an earthen dam, creates a shallow seasonal wetland. In most years the lake goes dry by late summer, but during the spring...
National Wildlife Refuge
Malta,MT
White-faced Ibis Silhouette
Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge
The general topography of Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge is rolling, mixed-grass prairie with the major drainage running in an easterly direction. The lake, enhanced by an earthen dam, creates a shallow seasonal wetland. In most years the lake goes dry by late summer, but during the spring...
National Wildlife Refuge
Malta,MT
Canadian geese in flight
Lake Thibadeau National Wildlife Refuge
Lake Thibadeau National Wildlife Refuge is primarily composed of Refuge easements on private lands. Visiting the refuge requires securing permission from an adjacent landowner, as there is no publicly accessible route to access the portion of the refuge owned by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
National Wildlife Refuge
Malta,MT
Pelicans migrating at Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge
Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located on the heavily glaciated rolling plains of northeastern Montana, between the Missouri River and the Canadian border. The Refuge, established in 1935, provides important breeding and stopover habitat for a diverse array of migratory birds.
National Wildlife Refuge
Medicine Lake,MT

Locations

Bowdoin Wetland Management District
(406) 654-2863
C/O Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge194 Bowdoin Auto Tour RoadMalta,MT59538-9617