The 6 Best Places and Times to See Bald Eagles in Montana

Bald eagles are beautiful and massive birds. If they aren’t on your bucket list, they should be! In Montana, experts estimate there are about 700 breeding pairs, although this number could be more. Montana’s bald eagle population continues to grow. At one point though, bald eagles were once in danger of extinction. While there is no guarantee you’ll see a bald eagle in Montana, listed below we have the 6 best places to see bald eagles in Montana. 

When is the Best time to See Bald Eagles in Montana?

Before we learn more about bald eagles and the best places to see them in Montana, let’s discover the best time to see them. In Montana, the best time to see bald eagles is fall, although the exact months depend on the area. Generally, though, bald eagles are in Montana from late November through the end of February.

The 6 Best Places to See Bald Eagles in Montana

Although there is always a chance you’ll see a bald eagle while walking near a lake or river in Montana, listed below are the six best places to see one. Even if you don’t, you’ll be surrounded by beauty and many other birds! The last place on this list though is surprising, and not as picturesque.

Flathead Lake

One of the best places to go bird watching for bald eagles in Montana is Flathead Lake in northwest Montana. If you’re lucky, in the early mornings, you may see bald eagles on the lake hunting for fish.

Flathead Lake is a large natural lake and a remnant of the ancient, massive glacial-dammed lake, Lake Missoula. This unique and beautiful lake is 27.3 miles long and 15.5 miles wide. The surface area of Flathead Lake is 197 square miles. This very deep lake has a maximum depth of 370.7 feet, although the average depth is 164.7 feet. The lake is so big that it contains multiple named islands, like Wild Horse Island.

Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge

Next on our list is the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge. This gorgeous natural area is in Phillips County, Montana. The nearest city to the refuge is Malta. The surface area of Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge is 15,551 acres. This incredible area is a great place to observe wildlife including at least 263 species of birds. Sometimes, you can even see bald eagles in the wildlife refuge, specifically near Lake Bowdoin.

Milltown State Park

Another great place to enjoy nature, that offers a chance of seeing a bald eagle is Milltown State Park in Missoula County. It’s a relatively new park that only opened in 2018. This lovely park sits on about 635 acres of land. Although new, this area has been a popular bird-watching spot for years and welcomes bald eagles. Not only can you bird-watch in the park, but also hike, fish, and learn.

Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area

Also on our list of the best places to see bald eagles in Montana is the Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area. This incredible wildlife management area mainly centers around Freezout Lake and Priest Butte Lake. Bald eagles are just one bird species you can see on and around the lake. Other birds you can see in the Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area include snow geese, horned larks, marsh wrens, northern shovelers, golden eagles, and sandhill cranes.

Ashley Lake

Even if you don’t see a bald eagle, you’ll leave Ashley Lake with a smile. Ashley Lake is a beautiful lake in northwest Montana. The lake is about 4 miles long and 2 miles wide. It’s a great place to view wildlife, fish, and camp. It sits about 3,500 feet above sea level. This gorgeous lake has a surface area of 3,250 acres and 16.5 miles of shoreline.

Logan Landfill

Last but not least is a strange, but interesting addition to our list. Another place to see bald eagles in Montana is the Logan Landfill. This is only slightly surprising, as bald eagles aren’t just hunters, but scavengers. Employees at this landfill see up to 60 bald eagles a day! According to employees, these hungry bald eagles start coming to the landfill in December but are gone by March. Bald eagles are scavengers. They don’t just hunt for fish in the mornings. They also look for anything left behind to consume.