Pheasant hunting, salmon and steelhead fishing, and elk viewing are among the many recreation opportunities at the Skookumchuck Unit, downstream of the Skookumchuck Dam. The property contains grassland, wetland, farmland, meadow, orchard, and forest habitats that provide habitat for a wide variety of species, including forage and cover for deer and elk. The unit is private property owned and managed by TransAlta, in partnership with WDFW, for enhancement of wildlife habitat.
The Skookumchuck Unit is located 11 miles northeast of Centralia and downstream from the Skookumchuck Dam in Thurston County.
The Skookumchuck Unit is in the Upper Chehalis River watershed. The unit is surrounded predominantly by private farmland and timber land.
This unit is part of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 667
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:
- Designated parking areas
Recreation and access advisories
- Vehicle use: motorized and self-powered vehicles of any kind on the water, land, and in the air are prohibited, except on county roads and parking areas. Do not block gates.
- Wheelchair use less than 4 mph is permitted.
- Overnight parking and camping are prohibited. This site is day use only.
- All fires are prohibited from July 15 through Oct. 15, and during any burn curtailment issues by Tenino Fire District #12 or other applicable jurisdictional agency.
- Target shooting of any kind is prohibited.
- Trapping of any kind is prohibited.
- Litter: Please pack it out. Leaving refuse or litter in the habitat area endangers fish and wildlife.
- Surface latrines are prohibited.
- Feeding wildlife, mineral block, or baiting of any kind is prohibited.
- Construction of structures of any kind or their attachment to trees is prohibited.
- Removal of plants, plant parts, or materials of any kind is prohibited.
Hunting
This unit is a pheasant release site and is popular for pheasant hunting.
Hunting advisories
- A SAFETY ZONE has been established on this unit. Weapons may not be discharged within this zone.
- During pheasant hunting season, regulated hunting hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- On all WDFW designated pheasant release sites it is unlawful to possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading), other than nontoxic shot, when hunting for upland game birds (pheasant, quail, chukar, and gray partridge), mourning dove, or band-tailed pigeon (WAC 220-414-040).
Fishing
This unit is popular for salmon and steelhead fishing.
Wildlife viewing
This unit includes grassland, wetland, farmland, meadow, orchard, and forest habitats, offering opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including deer, elk, western bluebird, American dipper, bald eagle, grouse, ring-necked pheasant, pileated woodpecker, and amphibian species.
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 picnicking, hiking, and nature photography.
Conservation
The property contains grassland, wetland, farmland, meadow, orchard, and forest habitats that provide habitat for a wide variety of species, including forage and cover for deer and elk.
Special habitats and species
Habitat for upland birds, including pheasant and grouse, also occurs on the Skookumchuck Unit. Other species found on the unit include pileated woodpecker, western bluebird, American dipper, bald eagle, and a variety of amphibian and fish species.
Conservation goals
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Manage upland game birds
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
Habitat for upland birds, including pheasant and grouse, also occurs on the Skookumchuck Unit. Other species found on the unit include pileated woodpecker, western bluebird, American dipper, bald eagle, and a variety of amphibian and fish species.
- Maintain healthy populations of game and non-game species
- Manage upland game birds
- Protect and restore native plant communities
- Preserve habitat and species diversity for fish and wildlife resources
Land stewardship
The Skookumchuck unit was acquired as mitigation for loss of wildlife habitat from inundation by the construction of the Skookumchuck Dam.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1972 and 1979.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
Management planning
2020 Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Management Plan
In 2020, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) updated the management plan for the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area. The management plan addresses the status of wildlife species in the area and their habitat, the progress of restoration efforts, and public recreation opportunities. Every eight to 10 years, 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.
Planning Advisory Committee
Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Advisory Committee