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How To Get There
Payette River WMA’s Birding Islands segment is located just northeast of the town of New Plymouth in westcentral Idaho’s Payette County. Birding Islands is accessible at three locations; the Birding Islands South access is the most popular. To reach it, take Interstate 84 to exit nine and travel 4.5 miles on State Highway 30 through the town of New Plymouth. Just past the New Plymouth Post Office look for the Birding Island South sign. Turn east onto Idaho Street and drive 0.5 miles to Holly Avenue. Turn north and follow Holly Avenue 1.5 miles to NW Second Avenue. Turn east and follow this road 0.7 miles to Payette River WMA’s Birding Islands South parking lot.
General Information
Near the Idaho/Oregon border, scattered islands dot the Payette River. Large and small, wide and narrow, these islands and nearby mainland areas provide prime nesting habitat for Canada geese and other waterfowl. Recognizing the significance of this area to nesting waterfowl, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) purchased 50 acres of Payette River islands in 1960. Additional island and mainland acreage has been acquired over the years and today, Payette River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) totals just over 1,200 acres. While four scattered segments constitute the WMA, the 650-acre Birding Islands segment is highlighted in this brochure. Area management focuses on waterfowl nesting/brooding habitat and upland game bird nesting/wintering habitat. These and other management efforts benefit a host of wildlife present at Payette River WMA.
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