Beaver dam on North Lake
The Cowlitz Trout Hatchery Unit offers bank fishing, birdwatching, and a boat launch. It is managed for black-tailed deer and riparian forest habitats. This unit has several large fields that are mowed and maintained as forage fields.
The Cowlitz Trout Hatchery Unit is located adjacent to the WDFW Cowlitz Trout Hatchery near Toledo in Lewis County. It can be accessed off of Spencer Road N, from Classe Road, from Tucker Road, off of Highway 12.
The Cowlitz Trout Hatchery Unit lies along the western flank of the Cascade Range within the Cowlitz River valley.
This unit is part of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 505
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Parking area
- Restroom
- Hand boat launch
- Informational kiosk
- ADA accessible fishing trail
Recreation and access advisories
- The boat launch, parking area and restroom facilities is a Tacoma Power access site and does not require a Discover Pass or state Access Pass. Camping is allowed in the parking lot, but only for a maximum of three days.
Hunting
Hunters may find opportunities to harvest black bear, cougar, deer, waterfowl, elk and grouse on this unit.
Hunting advisories
- It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot for any purpose on this unit (WAC 220-414-040).
Fishing
This unit offers bank fishing and a boat launch on the Cowlitz River. There is also ADA wheelchair-accessible riverside fishing platforms.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes riparian forest habitats and managed forage fields, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including black-tailed deer.
This unit offers birdwatching opportunities.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Conservation
This unit is managed for black-tailed deer and riparian habitat. Several large fields are mowed and maintained as forage fields.
Conservation goals
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Manage for black-tailed deer and wintering waterfowl
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Restore and create habitat for diving, dabbling and cavity nesting ducks
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife
Land stewardship
This unit includes lands owned by Tacoma Power and is managed by WDFW as wildlife mitigation for Mayfield and Mossyrock dams.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1964 and 1993.
No specific funders assisted with purchasing these lands.
Management planning
2006 Cowlitz Wildlife Area Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.