Market Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and rules
Market Lake Wildlife Management Area is 6,062 acres in Jefferson County, in Idaho Fish and Game's Upper Snake Region, inside game management unit 63A, established in 1956. What remains of a 12-square-mile flood plain north of Idaho Falls, named for the market hunters who once shot its waterfowl.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for Market Lake WMA, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 6,062 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Jefferson County |
| Established | 1956 |
| IDFG region | Upper Snake |
| Game management unit | 63A |
| Elk zone | Snake River |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | Waterfowl production; wildlife habitat; wildlife based recreation |
| Habitat (IDFG) | Open water, wetlands, sagebrush steppe, agriculture |
| Camping | No camping or campfires. |
What is Market Lake WMA?
What remains of a 12-square-mile flood plain north of Idaho Falls, named for the market hunters who once shot its waterfowl. Only 30 acres of wetland were left when the first parcel was bought in 1956; purchases since have restored close to a fifth of the old flood plain. IDFG counts about 19,000 visits a year and 250 wildlife species, from shorebirds to moose.
What can you hunt on Market Lake WMA?
Waterfowl is the main hunt, by boat, in the marsh or from the river, and it is one of the few public waterfowl areas in eastern Idaho. Pheasants are released at five sites, including a youth area. Mule deer and white-tailed deer are hunted; the WMA is in Unit 63A, short-range weapons only.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, hiking and dog training.
How do you get onto Market Lake WMA, and when is it closed?
Marshes and dikes are closed to people April 1 to July 31, some roads December 15 to April 1, and dog trials are not allowed October 1 to July 31.
Can you camp on Market Lake WMA?
No camping or campfires.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units Market Lake WMA lies in, for 2025:
| Unit | Elk harvested | Elk success | Deer harvested | Deer success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 63A | 3 | 5% | 197 | 22% |
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for Market Lake WMA
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Market Lake WMA?
Waterfowl is the main hunt, by boat, in the marsh or from the river, and it is one of the few public waterfowl areas in eastern Idaho. Pheasants are released at five sites, including a youth area. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Unit 63A.
Can you camp on Market Lake WMA?
No camping or campfires.
How do you get onto Market Lake WMA?
Marshes and dikes are closed to people April 1 to July 31, some roads December 15 to April 1, and dog trials are not allowed October 1 to July 31.
Which hunting unit is Market Lake WMA in?
Unit 63A, in the Snake River elk zone.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, access, camping and uses: IDFG, Market Lake WMA, written up by FilledTag in its own words.
- Outline: USGS Protected Areas Database (PAD-US), land managed by Idaho Fish and Game. Units: IDFG's unit boundaries.
- Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics.
FilledTag is not part of Idaho Fish and Game. WMA rules change: check IDFG's page and its posted rules before you go.