Grass Island Wildlife Management Area

Grass Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) covers approximately 63 acres on a small island in Skagit Bay at the mouth of the Skagit River in Washington state. This unique estuarine habitat represents critical salt marsh and intertidal marshland essential to migratory birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and a variety of fish species using the Skagit River estuary as a nursery and feeding ground. The island's salt marsh is composed of native vegetation such as pickleweed, cordgrass, and other marsh grasses, supporting populations of black brant, Canada geese, great blue herons, and bald eagles. Due to its bird concentration, it is a favored spot for birdwatching and wildlife observation, particularly during migration seasons. The WMA was established to protect and enhance habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds, as well as to preserve the integrity of the estuarine functions that support salmonids and other aquatic species. Although the island does not have developed trails or facilities, viewing opportunities abound from boats or adjacent shorelines, making it an important site for kayakers and naturalists exploring Skagit Bay. Grass Island serves as an important link in the Pacific Flyway, offering a resting and feeding place during seasonal migrations. The WMA is managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and is primarily accessible by watercraft. Seasonally, the area experiences variations in tides and bird species, making early spring and fall prime times for visits. Visitors interested in birding, paddling, and estuarine ecology find Grass Island to be a quiet, minimally disturbed refuge with rich wildlife values.