The Shillapoo North Unit is a major wintering area for waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway as well as an important staging/wintering area for Sandhill cranes. To provide a disturbance-free area for the cranes and wintering waterfowl, the public is asked to NOT enter the unit from the end of waterfowl hunting season through April 15. This unit includes the northern and eastern portions of the drained Shillapoo lakebed and approximately 1.5 miles of shoreline on Lake River. Recreation opportunities include dog training, migratory and upland game bird hunting, and wildlife viewing. Eventually, current agricultural lands will be restored to wetland habitat.
The Shillapoo North Unit is located adjacent to Vancouver Lake, northwest of Vancouver, in Clark County. The unit can be accessed from Lower River Road and Highway 501.
The Shillapoo North Unit, in the Vancouver Lowlands, includes the northern portion of the drained Shillapoo lakebed and shoreline on Lake River. Surrounding lands include private agriculture and lands owned by Clark County Parks.
This unit is part of the Shillapoo Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 564
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
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 at pullouts along Highway 501 and Lower River Road
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- Target shooting is prohibited during migratory and upland bird seasons.
- The public is asked to NOT enter the unit from the end of waterfowl hunting season through April 15 to minimize disturbance to wintering waterfowl and avoid flushing birds on the area.
- All dogs must be leashed from the end of waterfowl season through April 15, unless for the purposes of hunting.
- Dog training is NOT allowed on this unit from the end of waterfowl season through April 15.
- Off-road driving and ATVs are prohibited.
- Overnight parking and camping are prohibited.
- Fires and fireworks are prohibited
Hunting
This unit is popular for waterfowl hunting. Other opportunities include small game, pheasant, mourning dove, Eurasian collared dove, and black-tailed deer
Hunting advisories
- A valid migratory bird hunting authorization for Goose Management Area 2 is needed to hunt geese on this unit.
- Dog training is not allowed on this unit from the end of waterfowl season through April 15 each year.
- 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).
- This unit is within a restricted firearm use zone, in which only shotguns and bow and arrow equipment can be used. The use of rifles, pistols, air rifles, and muzzleloaders here is prohibited under Clark County rules.
- Columbian white-tailed deer are present in the area and are illegal to hunt.
Wildlife viewing
This unit has many wetlands, open fields, and river shoreline, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including upland birds, Sandhill cranes, migratory waterfowl, and other birds.
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 includes the northern and eastern portions of the drained Shillapoo lakebed and approximately 1.5 miles of shoreline on Lake River. The area is currently a mix of agricultural land and developed pasture intermixed with fragmented pieces of natural habitat of varying quality. Oregon white oak is present on the unit. Himalayan blackberry and Reed canary grass are two exotic plants limiting habitat quality in almost all habitat types, and Wildlife Area staff have taken great strides in reducing their abundance over the past several years. Sharecrop and grazing agreements with local farmers and ranchers have been used to maintain habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl and Sandhill cranes. Corn and small grains are left standing for forage. Eventually some of these agricultural lands will be restored to wetland habitat.
Special habitats and species
This unit is a major wintering area for waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway as well as an important staging/wintering area for sandhill cranes. The area also supports mink, great blue heron, black-capped chickadee, western meadowlark, yellow warbler and other species. This unit is within the historic range of the Columbian white-tailed deer and Western pond turtle (both state endangered) and is considered potential habitat for both species.
Conservation goals
- Restore native habitat for species diversity
This unit is a major wintering area for waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway as well as an important staging/wintering area for sandhill cranes. The area also supports mink, great blue heron, black-capped chickadee, western meadowlark, yellow warbler and other species. This unit is within the historic range of the Columbian white-tailed deer and Western pond turtle (both state endangered) and is considered potential habitat for both species.
- Restore native habitat for species diversity
Land stewardship
The Shillapoo North Unit was acquired to protect and enhance wintering waterfowl habitat.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1957 and 2001.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Bonneville Power Administration | Mitigation Funds |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2006 Shillapoo 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.