Directions: I-15 Exit #143; W 7 mi on ID 33; 2 access points to WMA: FIRST ACCESS: R (N) at mp 51.7 on 1800 E; in 2 mi, stay L (straight) at Y; travel 1 mi; turn L (W) on 1800 N for 0.2 mi; R (N) on 1775 E; go 1 mi; L (W) on 1900 N; follow to E entrance of WMA; stop at info board and zero odometer; go W toward N shore of Mud Lake; at mi 1 and 1.4, parking lots allow easy access to lake; mi 1.7 stay straight at fork; mi 2.2 L (S) to picnic and primitive camp area. To see the rest of the WMA’s north side, backtrack to the rd fork (0.5); L (N) on a VERY rough dirt farmland rd; follow signs to Kaster Overlook Tower in 3.7 mi (tower no longer there, but birding is good). SECOND ACCESS: in the town of Mud Lake, at ID 33 mp 44.7, turn R (N) on 1100 E for 3 mi; R (E) onto 1800 N; park and walk gravel rd that parallels the canal on the canal’s W bank; in 0.4 mi gate closes area for nesting; stay on dike between Jan 15 and Aug 30. From the junction of 1100 E and 1800 N, continue E on 1800 N; ~1 mi E of the junction, rd swings S on 1200 E; don’t take 1200 E, but continue straight on 1800 N as it turns into a dike rd; and follow 4.1 mi to ID 33; scan the fields for birds and listen for Sora.

Description: March and April are excellent times to view large numbers of Snow and Canada Geese, Tundra and Trumpeter Swans, and many duck species. Franklin’s Gull, White-faced Ibis, and Double-crested Cormorant all nest colonially on the WMA. During spring and summer, common species include Western, Pied-billed, and Eared Grebes, Willet, American Coot, Ruddy Duck, Mallard, Canvasback, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Bufflehead, Cinnamon, Green-winged and Blue-winged Teal, American Wigeon, Lesser Scaup, Ring-billed and California Gulls, Black-headed Grosbeak, Bullock’s Oriole, Eastern and Western Kingbirds, Western Wood-Pewee, Western Tanager, Yellow Warbler, and Great Horned and Short-eared Owls. Songbird and shorebird numbers peak in May and common migrants include Wilson’s and MacGillivray’s Warblers, Black-necked Stilt, American Avocet, Willet, Long-billed Curlew, Spotted, Western, Least, Baird’s, and Pectoral Sandpipers, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Wilson’s Phalarope. In winter, look for Bald and Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcon, Rough-legged Hawk, and Northern Goshawk. Greater Sage-Grouse and Gray Partridge can be seen year-round.

More Information:
IDFG (208) 525-7290
Rexburg Chamber of Commerce 1-800 INFO880
fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/wildlife/wma/mud/