A new boat ramp on the Payette River Wildlife Management Area’s Birding Island North segment near New Plymouth is now operational, providing improved access to the WMA and public islands within the Payette River. The property was purchased with Bureau of Reclamation mitigation funds from 201. Fish and Game will partner with Payette County to manage the site.
In addition to installing the new, 58- by 16-foot concrete boat ramp, Fish and Game also widened the existing entrance to and from Highway 52, made improvements to the parking lot, installed an informational kiosk, added ADA parking and a portable restroom, and graded and graveled a vehicle turnaround area above the boat ramp.
"All of these improvements make it easier for sportsmen to access hunting and angling opportunities in an area that is particularly popular with pheasant and duck hunters and bass and catfish anglers," said Steven Dempsey, Regional Habitat Biologist at the Payette River WMA.
The Birding Island North ramp is the fourth boat ramp on the Payette River completed in the past five years, with the others being located at Seven-mile Slough, Sheep Camp, and Gem Island.