Fishing, wildlife watching and waterfowl hunting are just some of the activities awaiting visitors to Montour, part of the Payette River Wildlife Management Area.

Photo © Evin Oneale, IDFG 2008.

Additional Information on Payette WMA

By Tim Shelton, Wildlife Biologist
Idaho Department of Fish and Game - Southwest Region

Just north of the small community of New Plymouth , Idaho lies a unique river habitat area known as the Birding Islands. The name depicts - to a large extent - what type of wildlife use the area. Many different types of birds, both game and nongame, can be found throughout the area. For example, great blue herons, night herons, snowy egrets, mallards, widgeon, Canada geese, and a variety of shore birds all utilize the wetlands of this area.

The Payette River flows through this riparian habitat creating a variety of wetland types. Oxbows, shallow gravel bars, deep pools, and muddy sloughs are a few examples. This 660-acre area is just one of many segments of the Payette River Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

Similar habitat is found in the 200-acre Emmett segment, five miles west of Emmett on the Payette River. This area is a wildlife production hot spot. It has some of highest nesting densities of Canada geese found anywhere in the lower 48 states. In the fall and winter months, waterfowl hunting opportunities abound; migrating ducks and geese use the area as a resting place during their long journey south. Later in the season, when shallow ponds are long since frozen over, waterfowl hunting can be great as the Payette River rarely - if ever - freezes; the running water serves as a waterfowl magnet.

Upland game hunters frequent the area, pursuing ring-necked pheasant, valley quail, morning doves and cottontail rabbit. Fish and Game also stocks this area with pen-raised pheasants. Mule deer and wild turkey hunting also occurs, however, on a limited basis.

Wonderful fishing is another offering of the Birding Islands. In the Payette River, for example, anglers can catch crappie, channel catfish and smallmouth bass. Additionally, the many ponds that exist within the boundaries of the Birding Islands have good populations of largemouth bass. A conflict that can occur is created by the early spring days when cabin fever strikes and waterfowl production is in full swing. Anglers can unintentionally disrupt nesting birds. To minimize this negative impact, portions of the WMA are closed to entry during waterfowl nesting season. This helps reduce potential damage to baby ducks and geese. The results are higher numbers of ducklings and goslings that make it to maturity. The closure is in effect from February 1 to July 31st of each year. There are many other fishing opportunities on the WMA, with portions of the area open to fishing year round.

Those who enjoy wildlife viewing can expect to see a wide variety of birds throughout the year. A large wintering population of bald eagles is present on the Payette River anytime after the mid-December waterfowl migration. The bald eagles follow migrating ducks and geese down from Canada and Alaska.

Another segment of the Payette River WMA is found at Montour. Located twelve miles east of Emmett at the end of Black Canyon Reservoir, this lush area is a desert oasis. It has many ponds and wetlands on its 1,100 acres. It is similar to the Birding Island area in that it shares close proximity with the Payette River. Because it is close to a year-round water supply (i.e., the Payette River), Montour's ponds and wetlands are always full of water. This means that waterfowl production rates remain constant, largemouth bass populations are kept strong and the overall benefit to wildlife is excellent.

On a typical visit to Montour WMA, one can expect to see a variety of wildlife. This may include deer, beaver, otter, waterfowl, songbirds, turtles, frogs and countless other species. Many species of birds and animals, reptiles and amphibians share this diverse wetlands ecosystem.

Montour serves as a prime example of interagency management. It is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, yet it is managed by the Department of Fish and Game. Through joint cooperation, Montour remains a great place for the people of Idaho to enjoy. Whether you go there to hunt, fish, view wildlife, or just hike around, it is a great place to explore. This would not be possible without the dedication and support of these two agencies. It proves that wildlife management issues can be solved when State and federal agencies work together. Because the two agencies work together, people have more and better opportunities to recreate. In this case, the citizens of the state of Idaho win.

This gives you a brief look at what the Payette River WMA has to offer. The more time you spend in the area, the more hidden wildlife jewels you will find. The Payette WMA, like the other wildlife areas in the state, has a wonderful guide (published by Fish and Game) to help you find and enjoy the wonderful state lands of Idaho. Look for the guide at your local Fish and Game office.