The Swanson Lakes Unit is comprised of channeled scabland, featuring plateaus, buttes, numerous pothole lakes, a handful of rim rock lakes, and one intermittent stream. This large diverse unit supports a mix of species, including mule deer, upland game birds, raptors, songbirds, and several reptiles and amphibians. The unit lies within one of the last remaining large areas of shrubsteppe habitat in the Columbia Plateau and is a priority for protection of imperiled species, including the Columbian sharp-tailed grouse.
The Swanson Lakes Unit is located about 10 miles south of Creston in Lincoln County. The unit can be accessed from Seven Springs Road/Swanson Lake Road, via Schuster Road or Highway 2. The unit office turnoff is one half mile south of the schoolhouse, and one mile in.
This unit is within the channeled scablands of the Columbia Plateau. It is primarily surrounded by U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Department of Natural Resources and private lands. Much of the surrounding area is rangeland.
This unit is part of the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 136
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 area
- Restrooms
- Informational kiosk
- Office open during business hours
- Unmarked trails
- Wheelchair accessible gravel trail
Recreation and access advisories
- Motorized vehicle access is prohibited, other than on the mile-long entry road to the headquarters building.
- No overnight parking on any WDFW parking lot.
- Parking at the headquarters building (office) is recommended ONLY during weekdays, as the gate may be locked at random hours on weekend.
- Ticks occur here--observe appropriate precautions.
- Rattlesnakes occur on this unit--observe appropriate precautions (PDF).
Hunting
Primary hunted species include mule deer, coyote, waterfowl and upland birds.
Hunting advisories
- Upland bird hunters note: take of sharp-tailed and sage grouse is prohibited by law.
Fishing
A mile-long unnamed lake, locally referred to as "Z Lake", on this unit is stocked with rainbow trout for walk-in fishing.
Wildlife viewing
This unit has diverse habitats, including shrubsteppe and riparian/wetlands, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including coyote, mule deer, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, plus reptiles and amphibians.
Shrubsteppe habitat is great for viewing a variety of birds of prey, and shrubsteppe-obligate songbirds.
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
- Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (a state-listed threatened species) are sensitive to human disturbance. Do not flush or otherwise disturb these birds.
Other recreational opportunities
In the spring, shrubsteppe habitat is great for viewing wildflowers. Several unmarked trails on this unit provide hiking/walking opportunities.
Conservation
This unit contains shrubsteppe and riparian habitats, and several hundred acres of restored grasslands.
Special habitats and species
The unit includes shrubsteppe habitat, vernal pools, and channel scablands, important for the recovery of the greater sage grouse and Columbia sharp-tailed grouse.
Conservation goals
- Provide habitat to support recovery of sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage-grouse
- Develop and implement a shrubsteppe restoration and post-fire rehabilitation plan
- Maintain and enhance mule deer and upland game bird populations
The unit includes shrubsteppe habitat, vernal pools, and channel scablands, important for the recovery of the greater sage grouse and Columbia sharp-tailed grouse.
- Provide habitat to support recovery of sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage-grouse
- Develop and implement a shrubsteppe restoration and post-fire rehabilitation plan
- Maintain and enhance mule deer and upland game bird populations
Land stewardship
Much of the Swanson Lakes Unit was acquired as a Bonneville Power Administration wildlife mitigation project for loss of shrubsteppe and riparian habitat loss due to construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. The entire unit is operated primarily for management of shrubsteppe habitat, mule deer, and native prairie grouse.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1991 and 2020.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Bonneville Power Administration | Mitigation Funds |
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | USFWS State Wildlife Grant Program |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2015 Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revised the management plan for Swanson Lakes and Revere wildlife areas in 2015. The new plan, which was developed through a public process, addresses the status of wildlife species and their habitat, the progress of restoration efforts, and public recreation opportunities. The plan covers management activities for three distinctly different landscapes in the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, the Reardan Audubon Lake Unit, and the Revere Wildlife Area. 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
Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Advisory Committee