Leque Island, located west of Stanwood between Port Susan and Skagit bays, was once entirely salt marsh. Today it consists of wetlands and diked agricultural fields. Since 1974, WDFW has purchased a majority of the island (325 acres). Contract farmers annually plant cereal grain as food for wintering waterfowl (mainly ducks and snow geese). This site offers bird watching, bird dog training, and pheasant and waterfowl hunting. In 1982, a storm combined with a high tide breeched the lower southern dike in two places, flooding both state and private property on the island. Efforts to rebuild the dikes have been proposed since 1973, when the first parcel was acquired. Currently, the Salmon Recovery Funding Board has funded a cooperative project between Ducks Unlimited and WDFW to restore about 100 acres of Leque Island to intertidal estuary. Setback levees will be built on the south and north ends of the island, and dikes removed to reconnect sloughs with the Stillaguamish River. This will restore tidal flooding, provide habitat where juvenile salmon can make the transition from a fresh to saltwater environment, and benefit other fish and wildlife species.
Viewing Opportunities
Birds
Birds of Prey
Eagles
Marine Brids
Shorebirds
Songbirds
Upland Birds
Wading Birds
Waterfowl
Mammals
Small Mammals
How to Get Here
Click Here
for Printable
Map and Driving Directions
Access Site #1
Driving Directions From Interstate 5, take exit 212 and proceed west toward Stanwood on Highway 532. Continue west through Stanwood onto the Highway 532 Mark Clark Bridge. Half-way over the bridge, turn left onto Eide Road. (CAUTION: Dangerous turn. Signal well in advance.) Continue to the small parking area at the end of Eide Road.
Parking/Restroom Information There is a small parking area and no restroom facilities.
Other Information This Unit is closed during hours of darkness.
Unique Features
This is a popular site for pheasant hunting and waterfowl hunting, as well as wildlife watching and dog training. Agricultural fields are planted in barley, winter wheat and/or corn for wintering food resources for waterfowl and snow geese.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Safety Notice
Washington DOT has begun construction on the Highway 532 (Mark Clark Bridge) through the Leque Island Unit. Please be aware of construction activities and respect safety zone signs and heavy equipment access areas. Parking areas are still available near Davis Slough and on Eide Road. Go to WSDOT - Hwy 532 for more information.
Leque Island Pheasant Releases
The WDFW and Ducks Unlimited Leque Island Restoration project has been delayed for the Summer/Fall 2009 construction season. Pheasant releases will continue this fall with the standard 3 release days per week for Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday hunts.
A Discover Pass or WDFW Vehicle Access Pass
is required on all WDFW lands. Learn more at DiscoverPass.wa.gov
OTHER INFORMATION
