FWP :: Wildlife Management Area Detail

The Lake Helena Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was purchased by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (MFWP) in 1988 from Wesley and Dolores Johnson. The WMA occurs in the northeast corner of the Helena Valley, approximately 10 miles from Helena, Montana. The primary purposes in acquiring the 157.06 acre WMA was to improve waterfowl production and staging habitat on Lake Helena and the Helena Valley in general and to provide waterfowl hunting access to Lake Helena. Over the years, access to Lake Helena has become increasingly limited. It is the intent of the department's Wildlife Division to provide low maintenance Wildlife Management Areas while providing suitable wildlife habitat for that area. The Lake Helena WMA was purchased with funds from Montana Waterfowl Stamp monies, Ducks Unlimited MARSH monies, and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks hunting license dollars. The goals in managing the Lake Helena WMA are to conserve and improve the soil and vegetation of the wildlife management area and suitable environments on the lake and associated floodage zone in order to: • encourage waterfowl production potential, • provide waterfowl staging areas, and • maintain public waterfowl hunting opportunities • wildlife-related recreational access to the lake. Other recreational endeavors may be allowed in so far as they do not detract from the primary purposes for which the WMA was acquired.

Region	3
Latitude/Longitude:	46.70145 -111.96957
Size:	431.5 acres
Elevation:	3,661 ft
Open:	Jan 1 to Dec 31
Directions:	From Helena, travel north on Interstate 15 for approximately 9 miles and exit to the Lincoln Road interchange. Turn right onto Lincoln Road east (Route 453) for approximately 2.5 miles, turn right (south) onto the Lake Helena WMA. Park at kiosk.

Title	Description	Fee
Conservation License - MT Resident		$8.00
Conservation License - MT Resident Senior 62+		$4.00
Conservation License - MT Resident Youth 12-17		$4.00
Conservation License - Nonresident		$10.00

Boating

Fishing

Hunting

Photography

Wildlife Viewing

Ducks

Geese

Mourning Dove

Muskrat trapping requires permit, see regulations

Sandhill Crane

Snipe

Swans

White-tailed Deer (antlered only, see regulations)

MONTANA