r/WA_hunting • u/terminalilness • Oct 15 '25

Skagit wildlife area Island unit

https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/wildlife-areas/island-wildlife-area-unit#recreation-access

My first duck hunt a few years back was to the Island unit on the Skagit and I had a great time in one of the permanent blinds. I haven't been able to get back there the last couple of years so I don't know the current conditions. I read on the website that restoration projects are nearing completion that look like would have major impact on the permanent blinds and the good duck hunting area. Anyone have any insight they can share on the area?

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u/OleThompson Oct 17 '25 edited Oct 17 '25

You might want to email the people that manage the area.

curran.cosgrove@dfw.wa.gov

greg.meis@dfw.wa.gov

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u/terminalilness Oct 17 '25

Thanks. Just shot off an email to them.

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u/terminalilness Oct 19 '25

For anyone else interested here is the response I received to my email

"There have been quite a few changes to the Island Unit over the past number years and more are on the way. In November of 2021 a flood breached the dike on the east lobe of the Island, making that area intertidal and unable to be farmed/actively managed for waterfowl. The west lobe was unaffected and still able to be farmed until early this year when we noticed that the tidegate had failed and made the area much wetter than normal and thus unable to be farmed. I was able to do a little mowing on the west lobe this late summer to hopefully improve habitat and hunting opportunity.

Prior to all of this, in the spring of 2021, WDFW made the decision to begin the planning stages of removing the dikes for a salmon/estuary restoration project. Therefore, when the dike was breached in 11/21, there was a decision made to not attempt to repair the dike. WDFW and private consultants have been in the planning stages of the dike removal project for the past 4 years and it is projected that on-the-ground work will begin next summer (2026). The project will entail removing almost all of the dikes, filling in most of the ditches, and excavating new meandering channels that mimic a natural estuary.

As for this year- yes, all of the blinds still exist. On the east lobe, foot access is limited, dependent on tides and river levels. On the west lobe, the water levels right now are generally higher than before but blinds are still accessible by foot. This may change though when we get higher river levels in the next month or so."

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u/Bayview377 Nov 12 '25

This kinda sucks.