The Skagit Bay Estuary Unit is comprised of estuary and intertidal area. This unit is primarily accessible by boat; there is some local area walk-in access during low tides. There are six locations offering access to this unit: WDFW Skagit Headquarters Unit (has a boat ramp); Big Ditch and Davis Slough (hand-launch boat access); Jensen; Milltown; and North Fork. Tides and river levels may restrict access. Recreation opportunities on the unit include waterfowl hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, hiking, boating and kayaking. The Skagit estuary contains critical habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds, fish and other aquatic species.
The Skagit Bay Estuary Unit is located in Skagit Bay in Skagit, Snohomish, and Island Counties. Tides and river levels may restrict access.
The Skagit Bay Estuary Unit is in Skagit Bay and includes the lower portions of the North and South Forks of the Skagit River, and intertidal areas extending from the Swinomish Channel to the Stanwood area. Adjacent lands are private up lands that were diked and drained at the turn of the 20th century for agricultural production, mainly cereal grains, vegetables, and dairy. Other adjacent lands are privately owned tides lands and additional public ownership belonging to the Department of Natural Resources.
This unit is part of the Skagit Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 421, 410, 407
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, restrooms, and boat launch at WDFW Skagit Wildlife Area Headquarters Unit
- Hand-launch boat access to unit from WDFW Big Ditch, Davis Slough, Milltown, and Jensen water access sites
- Access to unit from private boat launch at Milltown
Recreation and access advisories
- The unit is primarily accessible by boat. Walk-in access to marsh at low tide to unit from Jensen and Milltown water access sites as well as from a North Fork roadside parking at the west end of Rawlins Road, off Fir Island Road in Skagit County.
- Tides and river levels may restrict access; visitors should carry and be able to understand a tidebook (tides at this location closely resemble those listed under Seattle in Puget Sound tide books). Current river levels can be found on the National Weather Services Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service - Skagit webpage.
- This unit is closed to access during hours of darkness except during legal hunting seasons.
- Parking lot with hand-launch boat access: Big Ditch and Davis Slough water access sites.
Hunting
This are is popular for waterfowl hunting. Check out the Skagit Wildlife Area Waterfowl Hunting Guide (PDF) for detailed information.
A variety of waterfowl hunting opportunities are available, depending on tides, river levels, and weather conditions.
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).
- The Skagit Delta Game Reserve is established on this unit (WAC 220-411-180). Game Reserves are CLOSED AREAS where hunting and trapping for all wild animals and wild birds is prohibited (RCW 77.12.047). Detailed maps of this Game Reserve are posted at the Headquarters Unit boat launch and interpretive center.
Fishing
Bank fishing opportunities are at Milltown water access site. In addition to a WDFW boat launch at the Skagit Wildlife Area Headquarters Unit, there a private boat launch at Milltown. People may also hand-launch small watercraft (small boats, canoes and kayaks) from the WDFW Big Ditch, Davis Slough, Jensen, and Milltown water access sites. In summer, kayakers also have access to the North and South Forks of the Skagit River from the Skagit Headquarters Unit boat launch.
Fishing advisories
- Tides and river levels may restrict access; visitors should carry and be able to understand a tidebook (tides at this location closely resemble those listed under Seattle in Puget Sound tide books). Current river level information can be found on the National Weather Services Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service - Skagit webpage.
Wildlife viewing
This unit has estuary habitat, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including shorebirds and waterfowl.
Google the Tweeters Info Page to find the Tweeters - Northwest Birding email list managed by the University of Washington; this list provides information about current sightings throughout Western Washington.
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.
Wildlife viewing advisories
- Waterfowl hunting occurs on these sites and may influence your viewing trip. Please check current hunting regulations. Waterfowl seasons are mid-Oct. through the last weekend in January.
Other recreational opportunities
In summer, kayakers can enjoy access to the North and South Forks of the Skagit River from the Headquarters Unit boat launch.
Other advisories
- Waterfowl hunting occurs on these sites and may influence your viewing trip. Please check current hunting regulations. Waterfowl seasons are mid-Oct. through the last weekend in January.
Conservation
The Skagit Bay estuary contains critical habitats for waterfowl, shorebirds, fish and other aquatic species. Prior to conversion to agricultural production, the Skagit estuary covered about 26,000 acres. It is estimated that 75 percent of the historic estuary habitat has been lost due to dike building, water diversion, and drainage before the turn of the century, and changes in the frequency and magnitude of flood events on the Skagit and Stillaguamish rivers. Upper Skagit River hydroelectric dams have also contributed to the loss of estuary habitat through reduced and modified sediment delivery. WDFW is working with a number of conservation organizations to restore natural hydrologic processes in the estuary to benefit salmon, waterfowl, shorebirds, and other aquatic species.
Special habitats and species
Habitats in this area range from riverine riparian and freshwater wetlands along the sloughs of the lower Skagit River to sand and mud flats extending into Skagit Bay. Vegetation types depend on factors including elevation, soil types, and the influence of daily high and low tides. A variety of terrestrial and aquatic-dependent mammals, birds, and fish can be found.
Conservation goals
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
Habitats in this area range from riverine riparian and freshwater wetlands along the sloughs of the lower Skagit River to sand and mud flats extending into Skagit Bay. Vegetation types depend on factors including elevation, soil types, and the influence of daily high and low tides. A variety of terrestrial and aquatic-dependent mammals, birds, and fish can be found.
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
Land stewardship
About half of the Skagit Bay Estuary Unit was acquired in the 1950s through a land exchange with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Additional lands have been acquired through separate purchases with Pittman-Robertson Act Funding and State Wildlife Fund Account.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1948 and 2023.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Hunting & Fishing Clubs | Private Donation |
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
Management planning
2024 Skagit Wildlife Area Management Plan
Management of the Skagit Wildlife Area is focused on units located in the Skagit and Samish deltas east of Whidbey Island and Camano Island. These units include riparian forests, wetlands, Douglas fir forests, estuaries, floodplains, marine intertidal areas, islands, backwater sloughs, and agriculture lands. The primary management focus is on estuary and floodplain restoration, providing forage for wintering waterfowl, recovering federal and state listed species, and providing recreation.
Planning Advisory Committee
Skagit Wildlife Area Advisory Committee