Fish and Wildlife Service, Montana.
Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge consists of three separate tracts of land: Lake Mason Unit, Willow Creek Unit, and North Unit.
Vegetation for all units consists mainly of mixed-grass prairie (western wheatgrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, needle and thread, and prairie junegrass) with sagebrush scattered across the refuge. Wetlands associated with the units are frequently dry, but are very productive for waterfowl and shorebirds when they have water. The Refuge is an important staging and nesting area for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and other migratory birds. It provides habitat for resident game species including pronghorn, elk, mule deer, greater sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, and gray partridge. A black-tailed prairie dog colony provides habitat for mountain plovers and burrowing owls.
With the exception of the north half of the Lake Mason Unit, the Refuge is open to hunting of migratory game birds, upland game birds, and big game as well as hiking and wildlife observation. The north half of the Lake Mason Unit is closed to all public access to increase the security and attractiveness of this area to migratory birds.
Lake Mason 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. Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge is managed by staff of Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge in Lewistown, Montana.
Lake Mason National Wildlife Refuge is one of four satellite national wildlife refuges in central Montana managed by Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and consists of three separate tracts of land: Lake Mason Unit, Willow Creek Unit, and North Unit.
To access Lake Mason Unit, turn south from Highway 87 on 4th Street West in Roundup. Proceed 1 block and turn west on the Golf Course Road. Continue for 6.5 miles, then turn north and proceed 2 miles to the refuge boundary.
The 2,240 acre Willow Creek Unit is 22 miles northwest of Roundup, Montana. To access the Willow Creek Unit, proceed 11 miles north of Roundup on Highway 87. Turn west on Snowy Mountain Road (also Forest Service access to the Little Snowy Mountains), and drive 13.8 miles to the unit.
The 5,323 acre North Unit is located 24-miles northwest of Roundup, Montana. For access to the North Unit, drive north of Roundup 11 miles on Highway 87, and turn west on the Snowy Mountain Road (also Forest Service access to the Little Snowy Mountains). After 7 miles, turn north on the Graves Road and continue 7.3 miles, then turn west again on a small, two-track trail. The refuge lies 2.2 miles west of the Graves Road.