idfg-badge

Idaho Fish and Game

Waterfowl at Hagerman WMA 2019
Wildlife Management Area
Hagerman WMA
Before you go

The WMA is open for recreational use year-round. Park your vehicle and walk the grounds using trails and non-motorized access roads. Visitors enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, birding, and other nature-based activities. All WMA ponds are closed to fishing from November 1 to the last day of February to protect wintering waterfowl.

Hagerman WMA Opening Weekend1.jpg
Related Location
Overview

The waters at Hagerman WMA are a magnet for waterfowl and anglers. More than 40,000 ducks and geese descend on the WMA for the winter, and when spring arrives, the family-friendly fishing draws anglers of all ages.

 

The WMA's primary purpose is to provide habitat for waterfowl and upland game birds. Parts of the WMA are closed in the winter and spring to protect wintering and nesting birds. Ring-necked pheasants and California quail are common and mule deer are year-round residents. Furbearers such as muskrat, beaver, mink, and river otters use the area as well.

Hagerman is the first WMAs to be established in Idaho and the Hagerman Fish Hatchery is located here. The water, wetlands, and natural areas make it a destination for wildlife viewing.

Location Facts

Primary Purpose: Waterfowl winter habitat; wildlife and fish populations and habitat; recreational use

Habitat: Open-water ponds, wetlands, cottonwood-willow riparian, sagebrush steppe

  • 882 acres
  • Gooding County
  • Established in 1940
Location Things to Know

Youth waterfowl hunts are often held in November.

During the spring, access is restricted to some sections of the WMA to protect nesting waterfowl.

Access Information

Youth waterfowl hunts are often held in November. During the spring, access is restricted to some sections of the WMA to protect nesting waterfowl.

Resources

Information:

Forms:

Hunting

Big game and upland bird hunting are allowed on the WMA. 

Please be sure to check Idaho’s Seasons and Rules for up-to-date hunting information.

Fishing

Fishing starts early in the spring on the Hagerman WMA. Starting March 1, the ponds become popular destinations for anglers eager to start fishing. The small ponds on the WMA support populations of rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and bluegill. Starting February 27, rainbow trout are stocked once a week until October 7.

Please note that the four Anderson Ponds (bass and bluegill) are closed from November 1 to June 30 to protect nesting waterfowl.

The WMA is a family-friendly fishing location with easy dock access for young kids, disabled folks, or senior citizens. Idaho Fish and Game added several new fishing docks to make access even easier.

Wildlife Watching

This WMA is famous for thousands of wintering waterfowl, attracting many birdwatchers. Five viewing blinds on the WMA help people get a closer view and minimize disturbing wildlife. Birders are able to see numerous species of ducks, passerines, and raptors throughout year. Mule deer are common, feeding in the irrigated fields and resting in the heavy cover and rough breaks.

Hiking

The WMA offers soft-surfaced walking trails. The trail winding around Oster Lakes allow visitors to view waterfowl, songbirds and other wildlife. The southern-most Oster Lake trail provides a panoramic view of the Snake River, Gridley Island, and Hagerman Valley.

Trapping

Trappers must call into the Magic Valley Regional Office to register prior to trapping on the WMA.