Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge, a Washington National Park

USA

Washington

Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge

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Nearby Parks:
Little Pend Orielle State Wildlife Area
Colville National Forest Ranger Station

National Park Contact Information:
	Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge
Adopt-A-Park Contacts:
	Yogi's Helper: volunteer positions open Nature Programs: volunteer positions open Photography: volunteer positions open

National Park Overview:

The Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge is located in northeast Washington, 13 miles southeast of Colville in Stevens County. Located on the west slope of the Selkirk Mountain Range, it is the only mountainous, mixed-conifer forest refuge in the contiguous United States. Our 40,198 acres range in elevation from 1800 feet on the western lowlands to 5600 feet on the eastern boundary at Olson Peak. The Refuge was established in 1939 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Most of the land was acquired through the Resettlement Administration which retired marginal farmland. Other land was purchased from willing settlers or acquired through exchange with the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Little Pend Oreille NWR is one of over 530 refuges in the United states managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Refuge Headquarters at 1310 Bear Creek Road, is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Nature of the Area:

Wildlife:

Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife provides important habitat for almost 200 species of birds, 58 mammal, 8 reptile, and 6 amphibian species. It is an important area for birds, particularly migratory songbirds. It provides habitat for the threatened Canada lynx and other forest carnivores, and critical winter range for white-tailed deer. During winter, deer migrate from the north, east, and south to the west side of the Refuge where the snow is not as deep as at higher elevations. Bald eagles winter along the Little Pend Oreille River and have nested at Bayley Lake. Forest bird communities include a mixture of eastern and western species. Refuge lakes and marshes provide a spring and fall stopover point for migratory waterfowl. The Refuge, in combination with adjacent public lands, provides for species that require large tracts of forest habitat.

Wildlife Viewing Tips:

Wildlife viewing carries responsibilities. Observe from a safe distance and use binoculars. Move slowly and casually and not directly toward wildlife. The Refuge is home to several species of large mammals (black bear, cougar, moose) who may feel threatened by human presence. Be alert and aware of your surroundings. We are the guests. Be prepared for varied weather and terrain. Do not venture off roads without good maps and a compass. Slow down-wildlife viewing requires patience and quiet. Best viewing is typically dawn and dusk, especially during summer months.

Refuge Wildlife Through the Seasons:

In Winter: bald eagle, coyote, finches, great horned owl, northern shrike, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, woodpeckers

In Spring: beaver, black bear, bluebirds, chipmunks, magpies, moose, snipe, warblers, waterfowl

In Summer: coyote, hummingbird, osprey, painted turtle, red-tailed hawk, swallows, wild turkey

In Fall: crossbill, grouse, kinglets, waterfowl, white-tailed deer

Easy to see WildlifeCommon goldeneye, coyote, great blue heron, osprey, painted turtle, red-necked grebe, red-tailed hawk, ruffed grouse, spotted frog, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, yellow warbler

Hard to see Wildlife:

Black bear, bobcat, cougar, elk, great gray owl, mink, moose, white-headed woodpecker

Reviews By Park Visitors:

visitor rating:

(1 vote) |Post Your Own Review

So many places to fish!

A well maintained system with plenty of wildlife viewing, excellent fishing, good road access, hunting opportunities if it pleases you. This area has it all.

(name not given) 26-Sep-2008

Camping:

Camping : Our campgrounds are now open on a first come first serve basis. Camping is allowed only in campgrounds at sites with metal fire rings from April 14 through Dec 31. When Refuge camps are full, you will find many camping areas on adjacent U.S. Forest Service and Washington Department of Natural Resources lands.

Dispersed Hunt Camp Sites : Camping is allowed in designated dispersed sites for hunters from October 1 through December 31. Each designated site is identified with a brown Carsonite post. See map available at kiosks for locations of both campgrounds (triangles) and designated dispersed sites (dots).No potable water is available on the Refuge.

Camping Limit : April 14 through September 30 - 7 day camping limitOctober 1 through Dec 31 - 14 day camping limit

Additional Regulations : All visitors must follow Industrial Fire Precaution Levels posted at the Headquarters kiosk.

In sites without pit toilets, bury all solid human waste in a hole 6-8 inches deep, at least 300' from water.

Use only downed trees for firewood.

Remove all garbage, horse manure, straw and hay.

Do not feed wild animals.

Do not leave food outside overnight.

Target shooting is prohibited.

Dogs must be leashed.

Camping with horses is allowed only in Horse Camp and Bear Creek Camp.

ATV/ORV use is prohibited.

Nearby communities are Arden and Colville, Washington. Both are approximately 13 miles from Refuge Headquarters. Arden has a convenience store and gas station. Colville, a city of 5,000, has full shopping and services available. Contact the Colville Chamber of Commerce at 509/684-5973 for more information.

Fishing and Hunting:

Fishing:

Anglers of any age can spend many enjoyable hours on the waters of the Refuge. Three Refuge lakes are open for fishing, as well as the Little Pend Oreille River, its tributaries, and scattered beaver ponds.

Bayley Lake is a fly-fishing only lake with a harvest limit of one fish over 14" from opening day until July 4, after which it is catch and release only. No motors are allowed. This lake receives heavy fishing pressure on opening weekend and is stocked with eastern brook and rainbow trout.

McDowell Lake is another fly-fishing only lake but is catch and release for the entire season. No motors are allowed. This lake contains mostly rainbow trout and a few brown trout.

Potter's Pond, with stocked rainbow trout, nearby campsites, and a wheelchair accessible fishing dock is great for the whole family. This pond receives heavy fishing pressure in the early season. The inlet and outlet to the pond are closed to fishing.

The Little Pend Oreille River from the Refuge boundary, about one mile downstream from the Refuge office, and upstream to Crystal Falls is catch and release with selective gear rules.

All Federal and State of Washington fishing regulations, seasons, limits, and license requirements apply. See the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Fishing in Washington and our Fishing brochure for more information.

Fishing is permitted in Potter's Pond, Bayley Lake, and McDowell Lake from the last Saturday in April until October 31; in beaver ponds, the Little Pend Oreille River and its tributaries from June 1 until October 31. The gate into Potter's Pond and Bayley Lake will open on April 29.

Hunting:

Various deer hunting seasons (archery, modern firearm and muzzleloader) are open on the Refuge.

See our Hunting Information brochure for more information. See Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife hunting pamphlets for information on state regulations.

The Refuge covers 40,198 forested acres in GMU 117, and supports a wide array of wildlife. White-tailed deer and grouse are the species most commonly hunted. Our seasons are more restricted than the general seasons in Washington, and the Refuge is closed to all hunting from January 1-August 30, except for spring turkey hunting from April 15- May 15. 2005 Hunting Seasons on Refuge.

Various terrain and wildlife habitats include small fields, numerous creeks and steep wooded hillsides up to 5,600 feet in elevation. Map and compass use is recommended. The USGS maps include the Refuge are: Addy Mt., Cliff Ridge, Calispell Peak, Park Rapids, Lake Gillette, and a tiny portion of Timber Mt.

There are numerous inholdings within the Refuge. Corporately owned lands are open to hunting, private lands-which are posted, require landowner permission to hunt. Know your location.

The Refuge is a winter range for white-tailed deer, and during the early season most of the deer are still down in the valley or at higher elevations. Mule deer, elk, moose, and bear are scattered and relatively uncommon. Waterfowl hunting is allowed on all the lakes and ponds, but all streams are closed to waterfowl hunting. Trapping is not permitted.

While hunting, please help us keep the Refuge clean and safe for all visitors. There are safety zones one-quarter mile around the Refuge Headquarters and buildings, and established campgrounds where no shooting is allowed. Target shooting is not permitted.

To help monitor populations, the Refuge biologist collects harvest information on deer and grouse. Deer can be brought to Refuge headquarters to be weighed, measured, and have a tooth removed. The tooth aids in determining the age and health of the deer. Grouse wing barrels are set up at the main entrances. Deposit one wing clipped from your harvested bird which allows us to determine the age and species. Your cooperation is appreciated.

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