The number of geese and swans spotted at Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area started to pick up over the weekend, though numbers remain far below average for this time of year.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks posted the following update on Sunday: "Activity starting to pick up some, albeit still below average. In addition to a few more light geese and swans, also seeing better numbers of N. Pintails, Mallards and few C. Goldeneye's. Nearly 100% of the water on the WMA remains frozen. Snow cover is receding, but still scattered snow present on the Area. Roads are in good condition and passable."

Montana FWP notes 5,200 geese and 14 swans were spotted on Sunday. Data shows an average of 30,348 birds have been counted on the lake on the same day in years 2004-2022.

An update Friday noted that wildlife managers are unsure how many birds will land on the Wildlife Management Area, given the late ice. "We are anticipating more birds to be coming through in the coming days/weeks. However, given conditions (ice/snow), it is difficult to say how long or how much use of the WMA will occur at least until conditions improve (less ice/snow)," the migration update notes.

Freezout Lake WMA is located between Fairfield and Choteau.