The South Padilla Bay Unit of the Skagit Wildlife Area consists of 278 acres of mostly agricultural land at the south end of Padilla Bay in Skagit County. The four parcels that make up the unit are leased to local area farmers who produce cash crops in the summer and plant cover crops in the fall for migratory waterfowl forage. On two of the parcels, the lessee is required to plant and leave unharvested crops (typically barley) for high-value waterfowl forage. These same two parcels support three waterfowl hunting blinds managed by WDFW’s Private Lands Access Program. Due to safety concerns and to reduce disturbance to foraging waterfowl, hunting on the unit is limited to these three blinds.
There is no developed public access to the South Padilla Bay Unit. However, Skagit County’s Padilla Bay Shore Trail provides dike-top access adjacent to three of the parcels and offers wildlife viewing opportunities both in the agricultural fields and adjacent intertidal areas.
The South Padilla Bay Unit is on the west side of Bayview-Edison Road, just north of State Route 20 in western Skagit County.
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.
Hunting
The unit supports three hunting blinds managed by WDFW's Private Lands Access Program. Due to safety concerns and to reduce disturbance to foraging waterfowl, hunting on the unit is limited to these three blinds.
Wildlife viewing
Skagit County’s Padilla Bay Shore Trail provides dike-top access adjacent to three of the parcels and offers wildlife viewing opportunities both in the agricultural fields and adjacent intertidal areas.
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.
Land stewardship
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1955 and 2009.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| Private Grantor | Private Donation |
| 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 | Aquatic Lands Enhancement Account |
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