Ninepipe

Ninepipe NWR https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ninepipe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninepipe_National_Wildlife_Refuge Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge is located in Lake County, Montana, within the Flathead Indian Reservation. Most of the refuge is a reservoir so the exposed land area is only 390 acres (160 ha) in a narrow band around the reservoir. Ninepipe is a prime nesting habitat for numerous bird species such as the grebe, Canada goose, bittern, great blue heron and various species of ducks. Nesting platforms for ospreys at one end of the lake provide added habitat for this predatory species. Mammals include muskrat, badger and porcupine live within the refuge, and grizzly bears have been known to venture out of the Mission Range mountains onto the refuge.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Ninepipe and Pablo National Wildlife Refuges Public Use Opportunities This blue goose, designed by J.N. “Ding” Darling, is the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System. 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. 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 mu

u .s. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE Ninepipe Area Recreational Access Guide Photo by Mike Aderh old This map was produced cooperatively by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, United States Fish & Wildlife Service, and The Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribe. Printed: August 2010 Access - Montana~ LEGEND -D D D El .J Wildlife Management Area MT FWP Wildlife Management Areas USFWS -Waterfowl Production Areas USFWS - National Wildlife Refuges NO Hunting ~ clllott1"'11' 7Uit· Ill .... _. _ _ _ UJOUAll..l ! I T I I I I I I I - Tribal Trust Lands Private Lands Water I Wetlands NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYST.M 'IW4Jifec&~ Tribal trust lands are generally open to fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreational activities with possession of the appropriate tribal license or permit. However, some of these lands are leased as home sites or may be posted against entry by the lessee and may not be open to recreational use. Map boundaries are not legal delineations and serve only as guides to state, tribal, and federal lands. Please respect priva te lands. User is responsible fo r knowing ownership of lands. Users are responsible for consulting the different land managers for agency specific rul es and regulations. Gridtic interval 2500 meters, UTM Zone 11 , NAD27 Data sources used to produce this map were obtained from the MT Natural Resource Information System; MT Natural Heritage Program; MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks; and The Confederated Salish & Kootena1 Tribe. ~~_?~ ~~~~r?~~~~~ br_~~ FWP · FWD- SPDS 1420 E. 6th Ave., Helena , MT; Flathead Indian Reservation • The Flathead Indian Reservation was created in 1855 and is home to the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. The Mission Valley, in the east central portion of the Resen·ation, was at the southern extreme of the last continental glacier 'vvhich retreated some 12,000 years ago. Heavy, fertile soils and hundreds of small wetland basins left by the glacier, in conjunction with a favorable climate and a major irrigation project make this land highly productive for many wildlife species. The area is also part of a major migratory bird fly\vay in the Rocky Mountain Trench, and serves as a resting area for many birds in spring and fall. The area prm·ides high quality upland bird and waterfowl habitat, hunting and wildlife viewing. \X'inter raptor viewing is nationally acclaimed. Visitors should always be on the alert for bears. Grizzly and black bears occupy the nearby I\Iission Mountains and bear sightings on the open prairie of the yalley floor are not uncommon. Beginning in 2000, the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes began to acquire lands specifically for fish and wildlife habitat. Wetland and riparian restoration projects are currently being planned for these parcels. Hunting & Fishing Licenses • The Flathead Indian Reservation is open to hunting and fishing by non-tribal members who purchase the appropriate license and permits. A joint state/tribal license and the appropriate hunting/ f!shing stamps are required of all hunters and anglers \vho are not members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. A Federal I\Iigratory Bird Stamp is required of all hunters 16 years of age or older who hunt waterfowl. Hunting bv non-tribal members is allowed only for ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, Hungarian partridge and pheasants. The entire reservation is closed to all other hunting by non-tribal members. Consult the Flathead Indian Reservation Joint Fishing, Hunting, and Recreation Regulations for season dates, methods of taking fish and game as well as bag and possession limits. Recreational Use- Tribal, State, and Federal Lands • • • • Tribal trust lands are open for recreational uses, including hunting and fishing, by non-tribal members with the appropriate joint state/ tribal license and perrnits unless specifically posted as closed. Ninepipe National \Vildlife Refuge is open for ,,·ildlife obsen·ation and pho tography, em·ironmental education, and fishing during appropriate seasons. Nu boats or floatation de,·ices are allowed. It is closed to all public access (including game retrieval) during the hunting seasons. Portions of the refuge :llT closed to public access during the nesting season, March 15 to July 15. \X1aterfowl Production Areas (WPA) are generally open to hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching and photography. No other uses arc allowed except under special permit. Ninepipe Wildlife Management Area (\\/MA) is open to hunting, f1shing, and other recreational uses compatible with wildlife conservation. State and Federal Lands Identified with Special Signs: NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Wildlife Mangement Area --w ~ cMmt.~ 'Fislt· .-~~®.~ _,v~~(;,;. UNAUTHORIZ ED EN TRY PROHIB I TED WI ........ _,.. . .. """' N - - ~ 1 -" C ' - ''"''" .,. " I 'Jl f,.,CI I - > n i"'- U I &•: - .. ..-• OPEN TO PUB L. IC HUNTING u. a. ~ ... ~ l ll l ><f O, l <>f .. u MOII " ' " ili~ .. ~~. .... .. . . ....... ., f Ninepipe National Wildl

Hawkins Rd Curlew Dr 2 LEGEND D D D Wildlife Management Area MT FWP Wildlife Management Areas USFWS - Waterfowl Production Areas ~ ~CI 'Fisl(., . .I '1tfldlife ®~ USFWS - National Wildlife Refuges NO Hunting U.S. OEPARTMENTOFTHEINTE1110R U.S. Fi•h aodWildlif• S• rvlce Private Lands ~ .:2J Water \ Wetlands .. .• Tribal Trust Lands NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM ...........o~ ;· . -· TO PUBLIC HUNTIN G Tribal trust lands are generally open to fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreational activities with possession of the appropriate tribal license or permit. However, some of these lands are leased as home sites or may be posted against entry by the lessee and may not be open to recreational use. Map boundaries are not legal delineations and serve only as guides to state , tribal, and federal lands. Please respect private lands . User is responsible for knowing ownership of lands. Users are responsible for consulting the different land managers for agency specific rules and regulations . Gridtic interval 2500 meters, UTM Zone 11, NAD27 u.s..-':.?..':.'"~u~~~~~NOR Data sou rces used to produce this map were obtained from the MT Natural Resource Information System; MT Natural Heritage Program; MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks; and The Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe. Map was produced by MT FWP- FWD- SPDS 1420 E. 6th Ave., Helena, MT; June 2010. IS8702- MAM.