Draft:Freezout Lake
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Freezout Lake
[edit] Image of Waterfowl on the lake | |
 A PDF of the Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area | |
| Lake Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Elevation | 3,795 ft |
| Lattitude/Longitude | 47.66506 -112.05561 |
| Year Bought | 1953 |
| Status | Wildlife Management Area |
| Nickname of Area | Freezout Bench |
| Available activties | Hunting and Birdwatching |
| Season | Year-Round |
Freezout Lake is a Wildife Management Area located in Teton County near Fairfield Montana.[1]Both the lake and the Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area are managed by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. The lake is known for its waterfowl production and management, as well as its opportunities for hunting and birdwatching.[2]
History
[edit]No one exactly knows the namesake for the lake, but many possible namesakes have been noted by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. One namesake was from when soldiers at Fort Shaw were caught in a blizzard, and because of the incident, the area became known as the "Freezout Flat." Another possible namesake could be what the locals called the unsuccessful attempt to make it on the flat, a "Freezout". Lastly, a stage station established in 1885 known as, "Camp Freezout", or "Freezout Way Station" could have also been a possible namesake.[3]
Before the lake was acquired it had been a natural sump and basin. It was often noted that the lake would go dry. However, when the Greenfields Irrigation District was formed, the water levels increased due to the irrigation water in addition to natural sources. During this time, it was noted that nearby railroad tracks and roads would flood.[4] Therafter the formation of the area, the lake was bought in 1953 by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks and formed into the Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area. In addition to the lake, surrounding ponds and Preist Butte Lake were added later on to the area.[5]
Geography
[edit]Freezout Lake is located beetween the towns of Fairfield and Choteau on US-89.[2]
Freezout Lake and Wildlife Management Area Setup
[edit]Freezout Lake and the Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area consist of three lakes and six ponds. The three lakes include Freezout Lake, Preist Butte Lake, and Davis Lake. The three ponds include Pond Number One, Pond Number Two, and Pond Number Three, Pond Number Four, Pond Number Five, and Pond Number Six. [6]
The water levels are consistent from irrigation ditches and natural sources that feed the lake. In addition to helping waterfowl by keeping water levels steady, islands were made to assist waterfowl in making nesting and roosting sites.[7]
Species
[edit]Freezout Lake contains a variety of fish, waterfowl, and mammal species
The most common waterfowl species at Freezout Lake include mallard, gadwalll, northern shoveler, teal species, northerrn pintail, American wigeon, Canada Goose and American coot.[8]
Nine fish species have been reported being found in Freezout Lake by Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks. Those include the Brassy Minnow, Brook Stickleback, Common Carp, Fathead Minnow, Lake Chub, Longnose Dace, Rainbow Trout, White Sucker, and Yellow Perch.[9] Many mammals have been reported and are allowed to be hunted in the area by liscnses trappers. Those include muskratts, mink, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, and skunks.[4]
Climate Concerns
[edit]Due to low snowpack from 2025-present, the lake's water level have been abnormally low. Consequently, migratory waterfowl are moving on more quickly, causing below average numbers of birds.[10]
Special Events
[edit]Wild Wings- Every March during Spring Migration.[11]
See Also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Montana, Visit. "Freezeout Lake | Visit Montana". visitmt.com. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- 1 2 "FWP :: Wildlife Management Area Detail". myfwp.mt.gov. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ↑ A information book/panthlet for Freezout Lake users link to pdf: https://myfwp.mt.gov/getRepositoryFile?objectID=93641#:~:text=Pheasants%2C%20Hungarian%20partridge%2C%20mule%20and,%2C%20fox%2C%20coyote%20and%20skunks.
- 1 2 Parks, Montana Fish, Wildlife and (2025-02-12). "Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area". ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "FWP :: Wildlife Management Area Detail". myfwp.mt.gov. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ↑ A PDF made by Montana Fish Wildiife and Parks showing the map of the Freezout Lake Wildlife Mangement Area and the surrrounding area Link: https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/gisresources/visitmaps/wma/39753634.pdf
- ↑ Parks, Montana Fish, Wildlife and (2025-02-12). "Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area". ArcGIS StoryMaps. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ Parks, Montana Fish, Wildlife and (2025-02-12). "Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ "FISHMT :: Waterbody Details". myfwp.mt.gov. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ↑ Coomer, Aneesa (2025-03-23). "Freezout Lake water levels effect bird migration". KRTV NEWS Great Falls. Retrieved 2026-03-07.
- ↑ "Wild Wings Choteau - Choteau, MT | Central Montana". centralmontana.com. Retrieved 2026-03-08.