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Idaho Fish and Game

Lake Pend Oreille
Wildlife Management Area
Farragut WMA
Before you go

The Farragut WMA is several parcels of land adjacent to Farragut State Park. A shooting range and boat launch are located on the WMA. Visitors driving a motorized vehicle into the state park or WMA will pay a day use fee, except if they are only going to the Farragut Shooting Range. If someone is walking or using a non-motorized means of transportation to visit the WMA or state park, there is no day use fee.

Hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation are popular activities. Hunting is limited to archery for White-tailed Deer and Turkey. Please check published regulations for special restrictions before you go. Mountain goats are frequently seen on Bernard Peak across from the Eagle boat launch and a special feature of this WMA.

Farragut Wildlife Management Area WMA wide shot small photo
Related Location
Overview

Farragut WMA is heavily used by white-tailed deer and people. Bordering Lake Pend Oreille and Farragut State Park, it is a popular day use area with a boat ramp, shooting range, and hiking trails. It also supports a large deer herd and other wildlife.

 

White-tailed deer are year-round residents and their numbers increase to as many as 300 during the winter when they move to lower elevations on the WMA. A variety of big game, small mammals, turkey, bats, and 53 bird species have been observed on the WMA. Bald eagles are commonly observed perching in trees along the shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille during the winter months. 

Originally the site of a U.S. Navy base, the land was acquired in 1950 for winter range habitat. Today, it is cooperatively managed with Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Location Facts

Primary Purpose: White-tailed deer winter range; boating and fishing access

Habitat: Conifer forest, grassland, and shrubland

  • 1,418 acres
  • Kootenai County
  • Established in 1950
Location Things to Know

Farragut Shooting Range is located on the western edge of the WMA. There is a fee to use the range,  Adults $10 Youth 18 and under $5.

A visitor only using the Farragut Shooting Range is not required to pay the state park daily use fee.

Visitors launching a boat will need to pay the state park daily use fee.

If someone is walking or using a non-motorized means of transportation to visit the WMA or state park, there is no day use fee.

Access Information

Farragut Shooting Range is located on the western edge of the WMA. There is a $10 a day fee to use the range. A visitor only using the Farragut Shooting Range is not required to pay the state park daily use fee. Visitors launching a boat will need to pay the state park daily use fee. If someone is walking or using a non-motorized means of transportation to visit the WMA or state park, there is no day use fee.

Resources

Information:

Forms:

Hunting

The only hunting allowed on the WMA is an archery-only deer season in November.  Archery hunting is also allowed on the adjacent Farragut State Park. 

Fishing

A boat ramp on the WMA provides access to fishing on Lake Pend Oreille. Anglers will find native westslope cutthroat trout, bull trout, and two species of whitefish, as well as introduced rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, kokanee salmon, crappie, yellow perch, and large and small mouth bass. The 37-pound state record Kamloops rainbow trout was caught in 1947 by Wes Hamlet in Lake Pend Oreille.

Wildlife Watching

The WMA offers big and small wildlife viewing opportunities. Mountain goats are not on the WMA, but they can be observed across Lake Pend Oreille from the WMA shoreline. White-tailed deer are abundant and 53 bird species have been observed on the WMA. Bald eagles are commonly seen perched in trees along the shoreline of Lake Pend Oreille during the winter months. 

Hiking

A trail network on the WMA is frequently used by hikers, birdwatchers, horseback riders, mountain bikers, mushroom gatherers, and cross-country skiers.

Camping

Camping is allowed at Farragut State Park and is managed by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.