Fox Lake: Nature and Local History

Fox Lake can be explored through two themes: nature at the Fox Lake Wildlife Management Area and local history in Lambert. The area is near the town; Lambert’s development is also connected with the former name Fox Lake. When planning your trip, you can therefore decide whether to focus on observing nature or on historical connections to the town.

Natural Area and Wildlife Viewing

The Fox Lake Wildlife Management Area is one mile south of Highway 200 and near the town of Lambert. It lies within an important migration route in northeastern Montana and includes wetland habitats. The lake in the area covers 800 acres and was created in the 1930s by damming Fox Creek. The location, habitat, and formation of the lake offer different perspectives on the area.

The area benefits a wide variety of bird species. It is considered a quiet area that can be accessed on foot and is suitable for wildlife and birdwatching. As conditions at the site may change, check them before your visit. Species listed for hunting and trapping at the Fox Lake Wildlife Management Area include Gray Partridge, also called Hungarian Partridge. These hunting and trapping opportunities should be distinguished from wildlife and birdwatching: they are different activities in the same area.

Lambert: Local History and Names

In December 1913, the Northwest Improvement Company officially platted Lambert; the new community replaced the original Fox Lake. The name Lambert comes from a railroad official. Lambert’s post office was also originally known as Fox Lake. The town’s history thus preserves the name Fox Lake both as the name of the original community and in the former name of the post office.

The Burgess Garage is the oldest surviving structure in the community of Lambert. It adds a tangible architectural connection to the history of platting and naming. The garage is therefore a different point of interest from the place names: here, the focus is on a surviving structure, not on the origin of the name Lambert.

Cultural History in the Surrounding Area

In nearby Sidney, the MonDak Heritage Center features a historic Main Street with storefronts and artifacts relating to the history of Sidney and the MonDak region. The exhibit combines a depiction of the town with a regional historical perspective. In this way, Sidney adds its own view of the city and the MonDak region to the local history of Lambert.

The Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site lies northeast of Lambert. Its visitor center and museum are located in the Bourgeois House. The cultural points of interest can thus be distinguished from one another: Sidney, with its depiction of Main Street, represents the history of the city and the MonDak region; the Fort Union Trading Post is identified by its location northeast of Lambert and by the fact that its visitor facilities are housed in the Bourgeois House.

There are several themes to choose from when deciding on a focus for your trip: the Fox Lake Wildlife Management Area, with its wetland habitats, lake, and birdlife; Lambert’s founding and naming history; and the historical sites mentioned in Sidney and at the Fort Union Trading Post. This allows you to choose how much to focus on nature observation and local or regional history according to your interests.

For an overview of the wider area: Richland County.