This Vancouver Lake Unit is a major wintering area for waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway as well as an important staging/wintering area for Sandhill cranes. This unit is very popular with the public and receives a wide variety of uses due to its close proximity to Vancouver. WDFW has partnered with Clark County Parks and other groups to restore wetland habitat around Vancouver Lake.
The Vancouver Lake Unit is located at the south end of Vancouver Lake east of Vancouver in Clark County. The unit can be accessed from La Frambois Road off of Fruit Valley Road.
The Vancouver Lake Unit, in the Vancouver Lowlands, lies at the southern edge of Vancouver Lake. Surrounding lands include private agriculture and lands owned by the Port of Vancouver.
This unit is part of the Shillapoo Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 564
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
- Primitive boat launch at the Vancouver Lake water access site
Recreation and access advisories
- Off-road driving and ATVs are prohibited.
- Camping and overnight parking are prohibited
- Fires and fireworks are prohibited
- Target shooting is prohibited during migratory and upland bird seasons.
- Trap shooting on this unit is only allowed in the designated area behind the kiosk located at the first parking lot. No trap shooting during upland bird and waterfowl seasons. Only non-toxic shot is allowed for trap shooting. All lead shot is prohibited
- Unit is closed to dog training from April 15 to July 1.
Hunting
This unit is popular for waterfowl hunting. Other opportunities include small game, pheasant, mourning dove, Eurasian collared dove, and black-tailed deer.
This unit is a pheasant release site.
Hunting advisories
- A valid migratory bird hunting authorization for Goose Management Area 2 is needed to hunt geese on this unit.
- 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).
- Target shooting is prohibited during migratory and upland bird seasons.
- The wildlife area is in a restricted firearm use zone, in which only shotguns and bow and arrow equipment can be used. The use of rifles, pistols, air rifles, and muzzleloaders here is prohibited under county rules.
- Trap shooting on this unit is only allowed in the designated area behind the kiosk located at the first parking lot. No trap shooting during upland bird and waterfowl seasons.
- Columbian white-tailed deer are present in the area and are illegal to hunt.
Fishing
This unit includes the Vancouver Lake water access site that offers a primitive boat launch to access the lake.
Wildlife viewing
This unit offers opportunities to view a variety of wildlife, including upland birds and waterfowl.
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.
Conservation
This unit has wetland basins.
Special habitats and species
This unit is a major wintering area for waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway as well as an important staging/wintering area for sandhill cranes. The area also supports mink, great blue heron, black-capped chickadee, western meadowlark, yellow warbler and other species. This unit is within the historic range of the Columbian white-tailed deer and Western pond turtle (both state endangered) and is considered potential habitat for both species.
Conservation goals
- Restore native habitat for species diversity
This unit is a major wintering area for waterfowl in the Pacific Flyway as well as an important staging/wintering area for sandhill cranes. The area also supports mink, great blue heron, black-capped chickadee, western meadowlark, yellow warbler and other species. This unit is within the historic range of the Columbian white-tailed deer and Western pond turtle (both state endangered) and is considered potential habitat for both species.
- Restore native habitat for species diversity
Land stewardship
The Vancouver Lake Unit was acquired to protect and enhance wintering waterfowl habitat.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 1959 and 1991.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| State of Washington | Legislative Appropriation |
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Program |
| WA Dept of Fish and Wildlife | WDFW Game Fund (now Wildlife Fund) |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2006 Shillapoo 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.