Campfires are restricted year-round on the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area.
The Sunnyside Unit offers opportunities for waterfowl and upland game bird hunting and fishing along the Yakima River. Most of this unit is in the Yakima River floodplain. A collection of small agricultural fields interspersed with patches of native habitats, including nearly 13 miles of river shoreline support a variety of fish and wildlife.
The Sunnyside Unit is located 1 mile north of Mabton and 5 miles south of Sunnyside in Yakima County. The unit can be accessed from Holaday Road off of Midvale Road (exit 67 on Highway I-82).
The Sunnyside Unit is located within the Lower Yakima River watershed in the Columbia Plateau. Surrounding lands are predominantly privately-owned agriculture.
This unit is part of the Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 373, 372
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:
- Several parking areas
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- The Snipes Game Reserve, located at the center of the unit, is CLOSED to all public entry.
- Visitors must register on site when arriving, and report their activity before leaving.
Hunting
This unit is popular for waterflow and upland game bird hunting. Pheasants are released on this unit.
Hunting advisories
- A Game Reserve is established on this unit (WAC 220-411-190). Game Reserves are CLOSED AREAS where hunting and trapping for all wild animals and wild birds is prohibited (RCW 77.12.047).
- 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 is popular for fishing, and provides access to 13 miles of the Yakima River as well as several ponds and lakes that vary in size from 15 to 100 surface acres.
Wildlife viewing
This unit has diverse habitats that include 13 miles of Yakima River shoreline with mature riparian woodlands, wetlands, native grass/shrubland, and grain-cultivated fields, which offer opportunities to view a variety of wildlife.
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 a collection of small agricultural fields interspersed with patches of native habitats. Vegetation ranges from wetland species to upland perennial grasses and forbs to mature riparian woodlands. Russian olives have been invading for several years.
Special habitats and species
Nearly 13 miles of Yakima River shoreline and supports diverse habitat, fish and wildlife. Horseshoe Lake, an old river oxbow, is an important resting place for wintering waterfowl. The unit has components of resident and anadromous fish in the river. Rainbow trout are resident while spring and fall chinook salmon and steelhead trout are migratory.
Conservation goals
- Maintain agriculture leases to benefit migrating waterfowl, upland birds, and sandhill cranes
- Maintain and increase moist soil management
- Maintain and restore shrubsteppe, upland and floodplain habitat
- Protect and enhance habitat for state and federal listed species
- Maintain and restore wetland habitat
Nearly 13 miles of Yakima River shoreline and supports diverse habitat, fish and wildlife. Horseshoe Lake, an old river oxbow, is an important resting place for wintering waterfowl. The unit has components of resident and anadromous fish in the river. Rainbow trout are resident while spring and fall chinook salmon and steelhead trout are migratory.
- Maintain agriculture leases to benefit migrating waterfowl, upland birds, and sandhill cranes
- Maintain and increase moist soil management
- Maintain and restore shrubsteppe, upland and floodplain habitat
- Protect and enhance habitat for state and federal listed species
- Maintain and restore wetland habitat
Land stewardship
The earliest parcels of this unit were acquired for waterfowl, upland game and hunting recreation. Parcels acquired later blocked up ownership along the north shore of the Yakima River.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1948 and 2017.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| US Army Corps of Engineers | Snake River Mitigation Account |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| US National Park Service | Land and Water Conservation Fund |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
Management planning
2020 Sunnyside-Snake River 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.
Planning Advisory Committee
Sunnyside-Snake River Wildlife Area Advisory Committee