The Asotin Creek Unit is comprised of grasslands and forests spread across portions of the North and South Forks of Asotin Creek, Charley Creek, and Lick Creek drainages. Diverse wildlife afford a variety of hunting and wildlife viewing opportunities for sportsmen, hunters, and nature enthusiasts.
The Asotin Creek Unit is located 16 miles southwest of Asotin in Asotin County. The unit can be accessed from Asotin Creek Road.
The Asotin Creek Unit is located in the Snake River Watershed, within the Columbia River Basin. The unit is bordered by the Umatilla National Forest, Department of Natural Resources and private lands. Surrounding land use consist of rural agriculture.
This unit is part of the Asotin Creek Wildlife Area.
Game Management Units: 175, 181, 178
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Parking areas at the confluence of Lick Creek and North Fork of Asotin Creek, the South Fork hayshed, and near the Smoothing Iron Ranch buildings in Warner Gulch
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- No motorized travel is allowed off of county roads.
- The county road is gated and closed to motorized vehicle access Dec. 1 through March 31. Gate is open April 1 through Nov. 30.
Hunting
Deer, elk, turkey, quail, chukar, grouse, and many other species afford a variety of hunting opportunities.
Hunting advisories
- A SAFETY ZONE is established around the Smoothing Iron Ranch buildings at Smoothing Iron Ridge.
Fishing
Fishing opportunities for gamefish are limited within the Asotin Creek Unit, with selective gear rules in place to minimize impacts to Endangered Species Act-listed steelhead and bull trout.
Wildlife viewing
This unit has mostly grassland and dry coniferous forest habitats, plus Asotin Creek, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, deer, elk, chukar, grouse, wild turkey, and quail.
At the North Fork of Asotin Creek Trail, bighorn sheep may be seen in the spring. Elk may be viewed on Smoothing Iron Ridge, especially in early morning and evening hours.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Other recreational opportunities
Trails offer opportunities for horseback riding and hiking. Native wildflowers may be viewed in spring and summer months.
Conservation
Major habitat types on this unit include grasslands and dry coniferous forests.
Special habitats and species
The rare Spalding's catchfly, a state and federally listed plant species has been documented on the unit.
Conservation goals
- Conduct Fish Passage projects at Lick Creek and at Sourdough Gulch
- Implement the Forest Management Plan
- Improve habitat for mule deer populations and improve habitat for fish
- Maintain healthy bighorn sheep population by communicating risks from domestic animals to the public
- Conduct an assessment of native prairie habitat by 2022, and by 2024 develop a strategy to protect and restore native prairie habitat
- Develop a plan to conserve federally threatened Spalding's catchfly
- Develop plan to survey entire wildlife area for rare plants by 2024
The rare Spalding's catchfly, a state and federally listed plant species has been documented on the unit.
- Conduct Fish Passage projects at Lick Creek and at Sourdough Gulch
- Implement the Forest Management Plan
- Improve habitat for mule deer populations and improve habitat for fish
- Maintain healthy bighorn sheep population by communicating risks from domestic animals to the public
- Conduct an assessment of native prairie habitat by 2022, and by 2024 develop a strategy to protect and restore native prairie habitat
- Develop a plan to conserve federally threatened Spalding's catchfly
- Develop plan to survey entire wildlife area for rare plants by 2024
Land stewardship
Acquisition of the original property in 1962 was sought to protect big game winter range and elk calving grounds; later purchases served to protect threatened salmon species and their habitat.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1962 and 2022.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Bonneville Power Administration | Mitigation Funds |
| Inland Northwest Wildlife Council | Private Donation |
| Mule Deer Foundation | Private Donation |
| Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation | Private Donation |
| US Army Corps of Engineers | Snake River Mitigation Account |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Endangered Species Act Section 6 Program |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Salmon Recovery Fund |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2019 Blue Mountains Wildlife Areas Management Plan
Every eight to 10 years, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments. In 2014, WDFW began the process of updating existing plans, many of which were written in 2006. The new plans are being developed with significant public participation and input.
Planning Advisory Committee
Chief Joseph/Asotin Creek Wildlife Area Advisory Committee