Snow Peak Wildlife and Fish

Wildlife
With the exception of bighorn sheep and Pronghorn antelope, all of Idaho’s huntable big game species can be found on the Snow Peak WMA. Several species have special importance.

Snow Peak is home to an excellent population of mountain goats, but is closed to hunting. Instead, it is utilized as a source of transplant stock. Since 1960, over 180 mountain goats have been trapped and relocated to other sites in Idaho and adjacent states.

Many of the introduced populations have in turn grown and currently provide hunting opportunity and additional animals to relocate. As a result, offspring from the Snow Peak mountain goat herd are spread throughout the western United States.

Elk is another important species found on the WMA. The topography, climate, and fire history of the area have worked together to create excellent elk habitat. During most of the year, elk are distributed throughout the area. In the winter, deep snow and cold temperatures push animals onto approximately 2500 acres of winter range found along the south facing slopes of Canyon Creek below 4000 feet elevation.

Many other game and non-game species can also be found on the WMA. Pockets of old growth western red cedar and western hemlock along drainage bottoms provide habitat from some of Idaho’s less common bird and mammal species such as fisher, wolves, northern goshawks and pileated woodpeckers. Excellent viewing and photographic opportunities exist.

Fish
The WMA supports populations of westslope cutthroat trout in many of its streams. The fishing is excellent. However, streams on the WMA and throughout the Little north Fork of the Clearwater River drainage are not fertile. Special regulations are in place in order to maintain a fishery and protect wild cutthroat populations. Anglers should be sure to check current regulations before fishing.