Spencer Island estuary
The Spencer Island Unit is a flat, grassy intertidal complex ringed by mixed forest, located in the Snohomish River estuary. This unit offers waterfowl hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing opportunities. A 1-mile, elevated trail is a special feature. The island is jointly-owned/managed by WDFW and the Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Department. In 2005, an act of nature breached a dike on the WDFW property on the northwest side of the island, restoring tidal influence to the area. WDFW and its partners are working together to continue restoration of the estuarine system.
The Spencer Island Unit is located in the Snohomish River estuary just east of Everett. The unit can be accessed through the City of Everett's water treatment plant on 4th Avenue, or by foot from the Langus Riverfront Park.
The Spencer Island Unit lies within the Snohomish River estuary. The island is co-managed with Snohomish County Parks and Recreation Department. Local land use is agriculture.
This unit is part of the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 407
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:
- Parking area
- Trail
- Informational kiosk.
Recreation and access advisories
- Closed during hours of darkness.
- Leashed dogs are allowed on WDFW property per state rules (WAC 220-500-170). Dogs are not allowed on Snohomish County Parks and Recreation property.
- Spencer Island is co-managed with Snohomish County Parks and Recreation. Rules and regulations may be different on the Snohomish County Parks and Recreation lands than on WDFW lands.
- This unit is intertidal and water levels are constantly changing. All visitors should know the tidal conditions before venturing off of the dike trail.
Hunting
Waterfowl are the primary hunting opportunity on this unit.
Hunting advisories
- It is unlawful to have in possession more than 15 shotgun shells or to fire (shoot) more than 15 shells in one day on this unit (WAC 220-414-050).
- 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).
- Spencer Island is co-managed with Snohomish County Parks and Recreation. Hunting is allowed ONLY on the north, WDFW-owned portion of the island.
Wildlife viewing
This unit has flat, grassy, intertidal wetlands ringed by mixed forest, offering opportunities to view waterfowl and other wildlife.
An approximately one-mile long, elevated dike trail (maintained by volunteers) offers opportunities for viewing wildlife.
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
An approximately 1-mile long, elevated dike trail (maintained by volunteers) offers opportunities for hiking.
Conservation
The island is a flat, grassy wetland complex ringed by mixed forest that provides waterfowl and wildlife habitat. In 2005, the dike breached by an act of nature on the WDFW property on the northwest side of the island, restoring tidal influence to the area.
Special habitats and species
This unit is located in the Snohomish Estuary, which provides important rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids, especially chinook salmon. The unit provides habitat for many waterfowl species, including merganser, green-winged teal, bufflehead, mallard, pintail, wigeon, wood duck, gadwall, swan, Canada goose, as well as marsh birds, including American bittern, Virginia rail, marsh wren, and willow flycatcher.
Conservation goals
- Improve rearing habitat for juvenile chinook and other salmon species
- Identify restoration and monitoring needs and address the feasibility of implementing restoration
- Improve infrastructure and fish passage to enhance chinook, steelhead and bull trout
This unit is located in the Snohomish Estuary, which provides important rearing habitat for juvenile salmonids, especially chinook salmon. The unit provides habitat for many waterfowl species, including merganser, green-winged teal, bufflehead, mallard, pintail, wigeon, wood duck, gadwall, swan, Canada goose, as well as marsh birds, including American bittern, Virginia rail, marsh wren, and willow flycatcher.
- Improve rearing habitat for juvenile chinook and other salmon species
- Identify restoration and monitoring needs and address the feasibility of implementing restoration
- Improve infrastructure and fish passage to enhance chinook, steelhead and bull trout
Land stewardship
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased in 1989.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | State Migratory Waterfowl Fund |
Management planning
2018 Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Management Plan
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is developing a new management plan for the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area in northwestern Washington. The plan will provide management direction for nearly 2,774 acres in King and Snohomish counties. The Snoqualmie Wildlife Area consists of six units that are situated within the Snohomish watershed, including the Skykomish and Snohomish rivers, which join to form the Snohomish River. Habitats include estuaries, various types of wetlands, forested uplands, and agricultural lands. The various units contain a wide range of wildlife including waterfowl, eagles and chinook salmon. WDFW acquired the wildlife area properties between 1964 and 2008, using federal and state funding. The department primarily manages the wildlife area to preserve and enhance wildlife and their habitats, and to provide opportunities for hunting, and wildlife-related recreational opportunities. The new management plan will address the status of wildlife species and their habitat, ongoing restoration efforts and public recreation opportunities at the Snoqualmie wildlife area.
Planning Advisory Committee
Snoqualmie Wildlife Area Advisory Committee
Plan Updates
Additional Materials
Current land management projects
WDFW, in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Snohomish County, is proposing an estuary restoration project to recreate rare tidal freshwater marsh at Spencer Island. For more information, visit the Spencer Island Restoration Project page.