The Nooksack Unit of Whatcom Wildlife Area extends from the Nooksack River estuary north to WDFW's Tennant Lake Unit. Together these units protect the eastern bank of the Nooksack River from its mouth to Ferndale, as well as most of Tennant and Silver creeks. Native riparian vegetation and tidally influenced habitats are under restoration for salmon and waterfowl, and approximately 100 acres of corn is planted annually with 10 percent of the crop left standing as winter waterfowl forage. A 1.5 mile, dike-top trail offers walking opportunities along the Nooksack River.
The Nooksack Unit is located west of Ferndale. The unit can be accessed from Slater Road, just east of the Nooksack River Bridge, off of exit 260 from Interstate 5. A second parking area is located on Marine Drive off of Ferndale Road.
The Nooksack Unit lies close to Puget Sound just south of the Canadian border. It is located between the Fraser and Skagit rivers, and between the largest estuaries in the Willamette Valley - Puget Trough - Georgia Basin ecoregion.
This unit is part of the Whatcom Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 407
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:
- Two parking areas: one on Slater Road, one on Marine Drive
- No restroom
- Hunting/wildlife viewing blinds
- Trails
Recreation and access advisories
- Closed during hours of darkness.
- Dogs are allowed ONLY on the levee trail and must be on leash.
Hunting
The Nooksack Unit has several waterfowl hunting blinds along the unharvested corn, and along Tennant and Silver Creeks.
Handicapped accessible hunting access is available with special use permit.
Hunting advisories
- It is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than nontoxic shot for any purpose on this unit (WAC 220-414-040).
- Maps for all hunting areas are posted at the WDFW Lake Terrell headquarters parking lot, and unit maps are at the Marine Drive, Slater Road, and Intalco parking lots.
- Shotgun use and archery ONLY. Pistol and rifle shooting are NOT allowed.
Fishing
A car-top boat launch at the Marine Drive Parking Area is open during the waterfowl hunting season, allowing access to Silver Creek waterways. Fishing the Nooksack River is allowed from the river shoreline.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes estuarine and riparian habitat, formerly farmed lowlands, and currently managed corn fields (strips are left as forage for winter waterfowl), offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife.
A 1.5 mile levee dike-top trail runs along the Nooksack River, offering opportunities for birding/dog walking. This unit offers seven hunting/wildlife viewing blinds. Swans are often seen in winter.
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
A 1.5-mile levee dike-top trail runs along the Nooksack River, offering opportunities for birding/dog walking.
Other advisories
- Hunting dogs are allowed only in the field during hunting season.
Conservation
Native riparian vegetation and tidally-influenced habitats are under restoration for salmon and waterfowl.
Conservation goals
- Maintain and improve fish populations
- Maintain and improve nesting and winter habitat for waterfowl
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
- Protect, restore, and enhance wetland and riparian habitats
Land stewardship
The Nooksack Unit was purchased to protect critical salmonid and waterfowl habitat. Together with the Tennant Lake unit, it protects the eastern bank of the Nooksack River from its mouth to Ferndale, as well as most of Tennant and Silver creeks.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 2001 and 2018.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| U.S. Congress programs | Wetland Reserve Easement |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant |
| 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
2006 Whatcom 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.