Billingsley Creek WMA

Before You Go

Billingsley Creek WMA provides a rich wetland environment where anglers, hunters, and birders find easy access to a variety of wildlife.

Visiting Hours:

Open year-round, seven days a week.

Contact:

Magic Valley Regional Office

324 South 417 East
Suite 1
Jerome, ID 83338
United States
Phone: 
(208) 324-4359

WMA facts

Primary Purpose: Waterfowl and upland birds

Habitat: Riverine system, wetlands, and shrub-steppe

  • 275 acres
  • Gooding County
  • Established in1963

things to know

Boating access to Billingsley Creek can be found in two locations.

  • Billingsley Creek North: 2 miles northeast of Hagerman on US Highway 30.
  • Billingsley Creek South: Northeast of Hagerman take 2650 South Indian Springs Rd. Go left onto 1050 East for 3/4 of a mile. 

resources

Information:

Forms:

Overview

Billingsley Creek WMA lies below the volcanic rim of the Snake River Plain in the Hagerman Valley. Billingsley Creek, the centerpiece of the WMA, provides open water to wintering waterfowl. Adjacent uplands shelter upland birds, particularly pheasants and quail.

The creek is fed by seven springs that originate along the basalt rim rock. The Bliss Rapids Snail, listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, is present in four of these springs.

Before the WMA was purchased from the McCarter Cattle Co. in 1963, it was part of a sheep ranch, dairy, and muskrat farm.

Activities

Billingsley Creek WMA is open to hunting. Duck hunting is the dominant late-winter use when nearby waters freeze. Upland game hunting is popular here; big-game hunting is short range weapons only.

The creek is well known to anglers who generally float the creek fishing for trout. Sub-catchable brown trout are stocked once every year and fish managers are evaluating ways to further improve the fishery.

Some fishing restrictions apply to Billingsley Creek from Tupper Grade upstream to Vader Grade.

  • December 1 through Friday before Memorial Day weekend - closed to fishing
  • Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through November 30 - trout limits is 6, fly-fishing only, no bait allowed

Canada geese and ducks, such as mallards, northern pintail, gadwall, American widgeon, green-wing teal, and cinnamon teal are observed on the WMA at different times of the year. Great horned owls and other raptors can also be seen on the WMA.

Muskrat trapping is allowed on Billingsley Creek WMA.