WDFW news release: Skagit Wildlife Area Headquarters Unit reopened Oct. 11. The area—also known as Wiley Slough—is popular for water access, waterfowl hunting, bird watching, and walking and has been closed for construction since spring 2023.
The Skagit Headquarters Unit is tidal marsh (estuary) on Fir Island, west of and adjacent to Freshwater Slough. The unit is predominantly vegetated by cattail and sedge and used extensively by waterfowl and other waterbirds, shorebirds, raptors, and passerines.
Recreation opportunities include bird watching, waterfowl hunting, fishing, dog walking and training, photography, and bird watching.
The Skagit Headquarters Unit was acquired by WDFW in the 1950's to provide agricultural enhancements for wintering waterfowl and increased hunting opportunity. With the Endangered Species Act listing of many salmon species including Puget Sound Chinook, habitat management has since shifted to restore estuary habitat while continuing to provide access for hunting and wildlife watching.
A popular boat launch on Freshwater Slough provides access to the Skagit Estuary and Skagit Bay, Island Unit, and nearby waterways. Boaters and kayakers should check tide charts as the ramp can be difficult to use in low water, and strong currents may develop during outgoing tides. Kayakers may also access the marsh from near the parking area and bathrooms.
The Skagit Headquarters Unit is located at the south end of Fir Island in Skagit County, adjacent to the South Fork of the Skagit River and Skagit Bay. The unit is accessed by turning south from Fir Island Road on to Wylie Road, then following Wylie Road until it ends at the unit entrance road.
The Headquarters (Skagit) Unit is located on Fir Island, west of and adjacent to Freshwater Slough. Adjacent uplands are private lands that were diked and drained at the turn of the 20th century for agricultural production, mainly cereal grains, vegetables, and dairy.
This unit is part of the Skagit 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
- Restrooms
- Informational shelter/kiosks
- Trail
- Boat launch
Recreation and access advisories
- This unit is closed during the hours of darkness except during legal hunting seasons.
- Walk-in and boating access in the marsh area is impacted by tides; visitors should be aware of expected tidal conditions.
Hunting
This unit is popular for waterfowl hunting. Check out the Skagit Wildlife Area Waterfowl Hunting Guide (PDF) for detailed information.
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).
- Watefowl hunting is limited to boats, dike-tops or hunting on foot during low tides.
- SAFETY ZONES (no hunting or shooting) include the entrance roads, parking areas, dike-top trail from parking areas to the tidegate structure, and intertidal areas adjacent to parking areas. Orange or white buoys in the intertidal area denote SAFETY ZONE lines. Refer to maps posted on kiosks for more information.
Fishing
A paved boat launch at this unit provides access to the South Fork Skagit River and Skagit Bay Estuary via Freshwater Slough.
Fishing advisories
- Tides and river levels change throughout the day. Refer to tide charts and the National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service-Skagit for detailed information.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes tidal marsh, dominated by cattail and sedge, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including waterfowl and other waterbirds. A variety of raptors frequent the site, as do numerous species of shorebirds and passerines.
Northwest Birding email list managed by the University of Washington; this list provides information about current sightings throughout Western Washington.
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.
Wildlife viewing advisories
- Waterfowl hunting occurs on a portion of this site and may influence your viewing trip. Please check current hunting regulations. Waterfowl season begins in mid-October and runs through the last weekend in January. Special hunts for youth and veterans may continue into February.
Other recreational opportunities
The unit provides walking opportunities.
An out-and-back trail offers walking and jogging opportunities. Dog walking and training is allowed on this unit.
Other advisories
- Waterfowl hunting occurs on a portion of this site and may influence your viewing trip. Please check current hunting regulations. Waterfowl season begins in mid-October and runs through the last weekend in January. Special hunts for youth and veterans may continue into February.
Conservation
This unit is tidal marsh (estuary) on Fir Island, located west of and adjacent to Freshwater Slough. It is predominantly vegetated by cattail and sedge and used extensively by waterfowl and other waterbirds. Historically the site was managed to provide agricultural enhancements for winter waterfowl forage. Habitat management has since shifted to restore estuary habitat to benefit federally listed salmon species, including chinook, while continuing to provide access for hunting and wildlife watching.
Special habitats and species
The distributary and blind channels at the river's mouth offer a brackish water habitat, where salmon smolts can adapt to life in a saltwater environment. A variety of waterfowl and other water birds, shorebirds, and raptors benefit from the tidal marsh habitat.
Conservation goals
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
The distributary and blind channels at the river's mouth offer a brackish water habitat, where salmon smolts can adapt to life in a saltwater environment. A variety of waterfowl and other water birds, shorebirds, and raptors benefit from the tidal marsh habitat.
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
Land stewardship
The Headquarters Unit was acquired in the 1950's to provide agricultural enhancements for wintering waterfowl and increased hunting opportunity. The area was also a pheasant release site for many years. With the Endangered Species Act listing of many salmonid species such as chinook salmon, habitat management has since shifted to restore estuary habitat while continuing to provide access for hunting and wildlife watching.
The restoration design included building setback levees, relocating the Wiley Slough tidegate farther inland, and removing part of the perimeter levee allow tidal and river flows to recreate channels and provide additional natural estuary habitat.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1944 and 2008.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| State of Washington | Legislative Appropriation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| US National Park Service | Land and Water Conservation Fund |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Boating Facilities Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | State Bond Account |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2024 Skagit Wildlife Area Management Plan
Management of the Skagit Wildlife Area is focused on units located in the Skagit and Samish deltas east of Whidbey Island and Camano Island. These units include riparian forests, wetlands, Douglas fir forests, estuaries, floodplains, marine intertidal areas, islands, backwater sloughs, and agriculture lands. The primary management focus is on estuary and floodplain restoration, providing forage for wintering waterfowl, recovering federal and state listed species, and providing recreation.
Planning Advisory Committee
Skagit Wildlife Area Advisory Committee
Plan Updates
Current land management projects
Since 2016, multiple high-water events have overtopped dikes in the area, resulting in temporary inundation of public and private property. The Wiley Slough Restoration Project will raise and widen the dikes in accordance with Army Corps of Engineers standards. More information is available on this webpage.