Area 10.01 km² Nearest city Polson | Established 1921 | |
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Location Lake County, Montana, USA Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Website Pablo National Wildlife Refuge Management United States Fish and Wildlife Service Similar Swan River National Wildlife R, Hewitt Lake National, Creedman Coulee National, Lake Mason National, Hailstone National Wildlife R | ||
Pablo National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge of the United States located in northwestern Montana. It is a unit of the National Bison Range Complex of refuges. It is within the Flathead Indian Reservation (known as the Tribal Trust Lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes), about 2 mi (3.2 km) south of Polson.
DescriptionEdit
Most of the 2,473-acre (1,001 ha) refuge is part of a reservoir, with 692 acres (280 ha) of exposed land surrounding it.
The refuge is nesting habitat for numerous bird species such as the green-winged teal, Canada goose, bittern, and great blue heron. At least one pair of nesting bald eagles produce offspring each year. in 1996, 19 trumpeter swans were released in an effort to establish a breeding flock in the region which appears to have been a success. Small mammals commonly found include muskrat, porcupine, badger and skunk. The reservoir contains yellow perch and largemouth bass.
The refuge is located immediately west of U.S. Highway 93. It is not permanently staffed and has no improvements. It is managed as an easement and the federal jurisdiction pertains solely to species and habitat protection.
This refuge is managed from the headquarters of the National Bison Range.