Wildlife of Pend Oreille County

Because of Pend Oreille County’s abundance of undeveloped USFS and Private Lands, a large variety of wildlife call this area home. Some of the common mammals are badgers, beavers, bears, cougars, deer, elk, moose, wolves, and river otters. Check out the Animal Fact Sheets and a species list for the county from the Nature Mapping Foundation.

At last count, there were 273 species of birds in Pend Oreille County.  From waterfowl to loons, pelicans, herons, vultures, raptors, cranes, gulls, doves, owls, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, swallows, warblers, etc., your binoculars will be put to very good use. Click for a printable list of all 273 species of birds found in Pend Oreille County, courtesy of Washington Birder.

WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife also manages the LeClerc Wildlife Area along the Pend Oreille River. Water Trail users will find this spot at Access Site 18 (River Mile 54.9). This is a boat-in only site and provides a unique look at the Pend Oreille River floodplain and undisturbed riparian habitat. Here is the WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife’s link to the Wildlife Area: LeClerc Wildlife Area

Targeting the sloughs in the southern portion of the river (Cusick to Newport), anglers can expect good size bass and occasionally some pike. Rainbow trout and walleye are also targeted.

Check out the following sites for fishing tips:

• Northwest Fishing Reports – Search under Rivers for the Pend Oreille or under Lakes for upland fishing opportunities.
• WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife – This link highlights the numerous lowland lakes available within Pend Oreille County
• Box Canyon Reservoir – Fishing Prospects Calendar for the area located between Albeni Falls Dam (Old Town, ID) and Box Canyon Dam (Ione, WA
• Boundary Reservoir – Fishing Prospects Calendar for the area located between Box Canyon Dam (Ione, WA) and Boundary Dam (South of Canadian Border)

Northeast Washington is home to black bear and a small but growing population of grizzly bears. Before you head out to your next adventure, you want to make sure that you are Bear Aware.

Please join Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Defenders of Wildlife and Washington State University Extension to learn how to safely and respectfully live and enjoy the out of doors in bear country.

The training will cover the following topics: bear biology and identification, setting up camp in bear country, hiking and hunting trips, tips and tools you can use around your home to reduce conflicts with bears. You will also learn how to use bear spray, bear spray first aid and useful information.

A limited number of Bear Spray canisters will be available to participants courtesy of Defenders of Wildlife. Participants can schedule a pick up of their free canister at a local Extension Office (Pend Oreille, Ferry, and Stevens Counties) by appointment.

Three online presentations will be offered.  All three will have the same content.  Please only choose one to register for.  All presentations will be offered via Zoom, and will be interactive. Questions are encouraged.  There will be a strict limit on 40 participants per session.