McArthur Lake Wildlife

McArthur Lake WMA provides excellent Canada goose nesting habitat. Elevated nesting platforms are used and ground nesting also occurs. Band recovery information indicates that hunters in seven western states and two Canadian provinces take McArthur Lake geese. Thirteen species of ducks are known to breed at McArthur Lake. Up to 6000 migratory ducks visit the area each spring and fall.

Ruffed grouse, common snipe, mourning doves and snowshoe hares are common although not abundant game species on the WMA. American coots breed and nest on the WMA and occasionally number over 1,000 during migrations. Merriam’s turkeys are frequent visitors.

White-tailed deer are abundant on the WMA, occupying the WMA year-round. Moose are also common residents, mostly observable during June when they feed daily on aquatic vegetation in McArthur Lake. Cow moose with calves are commonly seen during summer. Black bear are frequent visitors in the spring feeding in wetland habitat on the southwest portion of the WMA. Elk use the WMA infrequently, mostly during winter. Mule deer and mountain lions are uncommon visitors.

A pair of bald eagles has nested on the WMA continuously since 1988. In seven of the last ten years they have successfully fledged young. Other nesting non-game birds include pied-billed and red-necked grebes, Virginia rails, black terns, osprey and red-tailed hawks, and a diverse array of other migrant and resident birds.