This unit has limited access as it is only accessible by boat.
Permanent Rule WSR 23-02-069: It is unlawful for any person to cause or allow goats or sheep to be untethered or unattended on this wildlife area unit, unless otherwise permitted by the director to do so. Goats or sheep that have tested positive for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae or that are displaying signs of pneumonia or other illness will not be permitted. Goats or sheep showing signs of pneumonia or other illness while on department lands must be removed within 48 hours. If a goat or sheep becomes lost, the owner must make every effort to locate and recover it. If the goat or sheep cannot be recovered, the owner shall contact the department by telephone as soon as possible.
The McLoughlin Falls Unit was established for the protection of wide-ranging carnivores, as well as the protection and enhancement of riparian and big game habitat. This unit is accessible by boat ONLY via the Okanogan River. The unit is entirely within the Okanogan Valley, with the Okanogan River meandering north to south. The terrain is rugged, with vertical rock walls to the east and varying expanses of floodplain surrounding the unit.
The McLoughlin Falls Unit is located about 6 miles south of Tonasket along the Okanogan River in Okanogan County.
The McLoughlin Falls Unit occurs in the Okanogan Watershed in the Columbia River Basin. The Okanogan River meanders north to south. The unit is bordered by Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Land Management lands and private property. Surrounding land use includes agriculture.
This unit is part of the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 215, 204
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:
- No developed parking area
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Public access is by boat ONLY via the Okanogan River
Hunting
Mule deer are the primary hunting opportunity on this unit.
Fishing
This unit includes access to 1 mile of the Okanogan River's western border.
Wildlife viewing
This unit offers opportunities to view a variety of wildife, including mule deer.
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
Riparian woodlands are found along the shores of the Okanogan River. Sagebrush shrubsteppe and pine woodland cover much of the unit uplands.
Special habitats and species
The unit is considered critical in the north-south and east-west corridor, with habitats essential for landscape connectivity for fish and wildlife. Important habitats include shrubsteppe, pine woodlands, and riparian.
Conservation goals
- Develop a plan to survey and inventory all riparian ecosystems and restore degraded riparian habitat
The unit is considered critical in the north-south and east-west corridor, with habitats essential for landscape connectivity for fish and wildlife. Important habitats include shrubsteppe, pine woodlands, and riparian.
- Develop a plan to survey and inventory all riparian ecosystems and restore degraded riparian habitat
Land stewardship
The McLoughlin Falls Unit was purchased to enhance riparian and big game habitats.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 2012 and 2023.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Salmon Recovery Fund |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2017 Scotch Creek and Sinlahekin Wildlife Areas Management Plan
In 2017, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife updated the management plan for the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area, which encompasses 23, 980 acres in Okanogan County, and the nearby Sinlahekin Wildlife Area in north central Washington. The plan, called the Scotch Creek & Sinlahekin Wildlife Area Management Plan, addresses the status of wildlife species and their habitat, ongoing restoration efforts and public recreation opportunities at both Scotch Creek and Sinlahekin wildlife areas. Every eight to 10 years, 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.
Planning Advisory Committee
Okanogan Valley Wildlife Area Advisory Committee