This unit has limited access due to no available parking.
The LeClerc Creek Wildlife Area is four non-contiguous parcels, located along the east side of the Pend Oreille River.The majority of the area is forested and is managed for a variety of wildlife habitat improvements and public recreation opportunities. This unit is within a Grizzly Bear Recovery Area.
The LeClerc Creek Unit is located along the east side of the Pend Oreille River about 25 miles northwest of Newport in Pend Oreille County. The unit is accessed from LeClerc Creek Road north of Newport.
The LeClerc Wildlife Area is within the Pend Oreille River Watershed in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The four parcels comprising this unit lie along the east side of the Pend Oreille River. Adjacent lands are largely privately owned and sparsely populated. The U.S. Forest Service manages lands in the vicinity primarily for livestock grazing and commercial timber production.
Game Management Unit: 113
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:
- No developed parking area
- No restroom
Recreation and access advisories
- This unit may be inaccessible in winter due to snow.
Hunting
White-tailed deer, elk, and forest grouse contribute to the popularity of hunting on this unit.
Hunting advisories
- This unit lies within a Grizzly Bear Recovery Area.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes mixed coniferous forest habitat, offering opportunitues to view a variety of wildlife, including black and grizzly bear, bald eagle, white-tailed deer, elk, and osprey.
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
This unit offers opportunities for hiking and nature photography.
Conservation
Vegetation in the area is typical of mixed coniferous forest habitat. Forage re-growth following fires in 1929 resulted in a flourishing deer population during the 1930s and 1940s.
Special habitats and species
A diversity of wildlife can be found at LeClerc Creek, including sensitive, endangered or threatened species, from bald eagles and osprey to grizzly and black bears. Riparian areas along the Pend Oreille River and associated drainages provide travel corridors for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. Snags and downed wood provides habitat for pileated woodpecker, and other cavity-dependent species. In 1970, twenty-six elk were transplanted from Yakima to the West Branch of LeClerc Creek, with an additional release from the Hanford area in 2000.
Conservation goals
- Provide sustainable fish and wildlife-related recreation
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Protect and restore riparian habitat
- See WDFW's Forest Health Story Map for more information on forest conservation.
- Maintain big game populations
- Manage for species diversity
A diversity of wildlife can be found at LeClerc Creek, including sensitive, endangered or threatened species, from bald eagles and osprey to grizzly and black bears. Riparian areas along the Pend Oreille River and associated drainages provide travel corridors for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife. Snags and downed wood provides habitat for pileated woodpecker, and other cavity-dependent species. In 1970, twenty-six elk were transplanted from Yakima to the West Branch of LeClerc Creek, with an additional release from the Hanford area in 2000.
- Provide sustainable fish and wildlife-related recreation
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Protect and restore riparian habitat
- See WDFW's Forest Health Story Map for more information on forest conservation.
- Maintain big game populations
- Manage for species diversity
Land stewardship
The LeClerc Unit was acquired to enhance habitat for big game.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased in 1971.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
Management planning
2006 Le Clerc Wildlife Area 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.