Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana.
This 4,318-acre Refuge contains three large wetlands which are filled by Cedar Creek. Halfbreed Lake is a productive 248 acre semi-permanent wetland that has a good interspersion of open water and emergent vegetation. The other two wetlands, Grass Lake (375 acres) and Goose Lake (220 acres), are shallower and less permanent, but sustain highly productive stands of submergent vegetation. Western wheatgrass, prairie junegrass, and greasewood provide upland cover for nesting birds.
Grass Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most productive migratory bird areas in central Montana. When water is present, the refuge is used in abundance by a diversity of migratory birds, both during migration and for nesting. The peak of waterfowl migration occurs typically in April and October. Over 500 Canada Geese have been known to congregate here in July and August after molting. In 1997, Grass Lake National Wildlife Refuge was designated an Important Bird Area (IBA). An IBA is a site that is exceptionally important - even essential - for bird conservation. The Refuge was designated based on the number of water birds, shorebirds, and wading birds present each year.
This Refuge is closed to all public uses as it is intended as a sanctuary for all wildlife, free from disturbance by human activities.
Grass Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of four satellite national wildlife refuges in central Montana that are part of the Charles M. Russell Complex. Satellite refuges are unstaffed national wildlife refuges. Grass Lake National Wildlife Refuge is managed by staff of Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Lewistown, Montana.
Charles M. Russell NWR is located about 150 miles northeast of Billings, Montana. The headquarters for the Refuge Complex is located in Lewistown. From Great Falls, follow U.S. Highway 87 east for 100 miles to Lewistown. Turn right onto Airport Road. From Billings, follow U.S. Highway 87 north to Grass Range and then west to Lewistown for 130 miles. Turn left onto Airport Road. The Refuge headquarters is located about 1 mile up the road to the left. Three staffed field stations are located around the Refuge. Sand Creek Wildlife Station is located 2 miles south of the Missouri River on the east side of U.S. Highway 191. Jordan Wildlife Station is located south of Montana Highway 200 in the town of Jordan. Fort Peck Wildlife Station is located east of Montana Highway 24 in the town of Fort Peck.