Swan Count Dips at Freezout Lake

Montana wildlife counters recorded fewer swans than average at a north-central wildlife area as fall migration continues.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Current Conditions

Wide view of a calm prairie wetland with a few white swans on open water, golden grass along the shore, and a pale horizon under soft autumn light. — Montana wildlife counters recorded 1,102 swans at Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area on November 2, near the historical average for that date. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks counted 1,102 swans at Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area on November 2, close to the historical average for that date. No light geese were counted at the site that day, compared with a historical average of 7,365.

Why it matters

Counts at Freezout Lake track how migratory waterfowl move through north-central Montana each fall, giving wildlife managers a snapshot of bird use across the state's wetlands. Shifts in where birds gather can signal changing water conditions and habitat use.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reported 1,102 swans at Freezout Lake on November 2, slightly below the historical average of 1,121, while no light geese were counted against a historical average of 7,365. The extraction does not explain why light geese were absent or why swan numbers fell from more than 1,500 on October 24.

The players

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

The state agency responsible for managing Montana's fish and wildlife resources, including waterfowl surveys at wildlife management areas like Freezout Lake.

The details

Swans were using open water and areas closed to hunting within the wildlife management area when bird counters from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks conducted the survey. The counts reflect conditions at the lake on the day of observation.

October 24, 2026: More than 1,500 swans were counted at Freezout Lake.
November 2, 2026: 1,102 swans were counted and no light geese were recorded.

Seasonal Patterns

The November 2 counts are measured against Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks' historical averages for that date, with swans near their typical level of 1,121 while light geese fell far below their average of 7,365. Set against those established baselines, this fall's observations show a sharp gap in light goose numbers even as swan counts held close to normal.

Birders and hunters planning trips to north-central Montana wetlands should check current counts and access rules before heading out. Staying on open water and public areas closed to hunting helps protect the birds gathering at Freezout Lake this fall.

The takeaway

Swan numbers at Freezout Lake held near their historical average on November 2, but the absence of light geese marks a notable departure from typical fall counts. Tracking these numbers over the coming weeks will show whether the gap persists during peak migration.