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Drone Rules for Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Medicine Lake, Montana (MT) • United States
223 N Shore Rd, Medicine Lake, MT 59247, USA
Lat: 48.4838 • Lng: -104.449
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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Medicine Lake NWR prohibits all UAS operations under USFWS Director's Order 210. The refuge supports the largest White Pelican nesting colony in the northern Great Plains with up to 5,000 nesting pairs.

Drone Rules - Medicine Lake NWR

All drone operations are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015). Special Use Permit required for any UAS activity.

Airspace / Site Context

  • Remote northeastern Montana near the Canadian border
  • Wolf Point Airport (KOLF) Class D lies ~40 miles SE
  • Refuge encompasses 31,457 acres of prairie lakes, marshes, and uplands
  • American White Pelican colony of 4,000-5,000 nesting pairs is the largest in the northern plains

Key Rules

  • No drone launches or landings within refuge boundaries
  • Pelican colony disturbance triggers nest abandonment; colony areas closed May-August
  • Eared Grebe, Franklin's Gull, and Double-crested Cormorant also nest colonially
  • Whooping Crane (ESA endangered) may use refuge during migration

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