Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and rules
Pend Oreille Wildlife Management Area is 7,432 acres in Bonner and Kootenai counties, in Idaho Fish and Game's Panhandle Region, inside game management units 1, 4A and 2, established in 1956. 25 separate parcels, from 2 to 1,729 acres, around Lake Pend Oreille, the Pend Oreille, Pack, Clark Fork and Priest rivers, acquired as mitigation for Albeni Falls Dam.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: IDFG's page for Pend Oreille WMA, read October 18, 2026. Outline: PAD-US. Harvest: IDFG harvest statistics, 2025.
| Size | 7,432 acres (IDFG) |
|---|---|
| County | Bonner and Kootenai counties |
| Established | 1956 |
| IDFG region | Panhandle |
| Game management units | 1, 4A, 2 |
| Elk zone | Panhandle |
| Primary purpose (IDFG) | Provide habitat for waterfowl production and waterfowl migration; cover and food for migrating waterfowl, waterbirds, shorebirds and other wildlife; and provide high quality wetland, conifer forest and grassland habitat for a diverse array of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish and invertebrates. Provide public access to hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing. |
| Camping | No developed campgrounds; primitive camping up to 10 days unless posted, varying by parcel. |
What is Pend Oreille WMA?
25 separate parcels, from 2 to 1,729 acres, around Lake Pend Oreille, the Pend Oreille, Pack, Clark Fork and Priest rivers, acquired as mitigation for Albeni Falls Dam. Fall counts have reached 60,000 ducks, 15,000 Canada geese and 2,000 tundra swans, and up to 20,000 redheads winter on the lake.
What can you hunt on Pend Oreille WMA?
A favorite for northern Idaho waterfowl hunters, best early in the season before the lake is drawn down. White-tailed deer are the most common big game; moose, elk, black bear and mountain lion use parts of it, and some parcels have grouse, turkey and snowshoe hare.
IDFG lists these uses for the area: hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife watching, hiking and camping.
How do you get onto Pend Oreille WMA, and when is it closed?
Paved and county roads reach most parcels (17 signed access sites); a few on the Pend Oreille River are boat-only. Travel on the WMA is non-motorized.
Can you camp on Pend Oreille WMA?
No developed campgrounds; primitive camping up to 10 days unless posted, varying by parcel.
How many elk and deer are taken in the surrounding units?
IDFG counts harvest by unit, not by WMA. These are the whole units Pend Oreille WMA lies in, for 2025:
General seasons, all weapons. Source: IDFG harvest statistics.
IDFG's maps and rules for Pend Oreille WMA
Questions hunters ask
What can you hunt on Pend Oreille WMA?
A favorite for northern Idaho waterfowl hunters, best early in the season before the lake is drawn down. White-tailed deer are the most common big game; moose, elk, black bear and mountain lion use parts of it, and some parcels have grouse, turkey and snowshoe hare. Seasons and tags follow the regulations for Units 1, 4A and 2.
Can you camp on Pend Oreille WMA?
No developed campgrounds; primitive camping up to 10 days unless posted, varying by parcel.
How do you get onto Pend Oreille WMA?
Paved and county roads reach most parcels (17 signed access sites); a few on the Pend Oreille River are boat-only. Travel on the WMA is non-motorized.
Which hunting unit is Pend Oreille WMA in?
Units 1, 4A and 2 (Panhandle elk zone), measured from IDFG's unit boundaries.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, rules, access, camping and uses: IDFG, Pend Oreille 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.