The Wanaket Wildlife Area is named for the historical Tribal fishing camp at the mouth of the Umatilla River whose name means “river’s end.” The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) manage the Wanaket Wildlife Area to protect and enhance wildlife habitat. The area includes over 2,700 acres of upland, wetland, and aquatic habitats that support many important natural and cultural resources.
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), working with the Northwest Power Planning Council, purchased the property in 1992 as partial mitigation for the impacts associated with McNary Dam construction and the inundation of wildlife habitats by Lake Wallula.
Public Hunting: Public hunting for duck, goose, pheasant, snipe, and quail is permitted on the Wildlife Area during the respective Oregon waterfowl and upland game bird seasons (please consult the Oregon Game Bird Regulations for seasons). During the hunting season, Wanaket is open to hunters on Wednesdays and Saturdays only.
- Waterfowl hunting is permitted only by daily drawing on scheduled hunt days. Permit drawings are held at the Hunter Check Station one hour before the published shooting time. A second drawing is held at 11:00 am for any available ponds, including those vacated by early morning hunters.
- Wanaket is open to upland bird hunting from noon to close of published shooting hours. Upland hunters must possess and return a Daily Upland Hunt Permit, however, upland hunters need not attend a permit draw.
- Please consult the Wanaket Hunting Regulations (link below) for further details.
Non-consumptive Recreation: Wanaket is open to non-motorized, non-consumptive public access from February 15 through March 31 each year.
Wanaket is located on Highway 730, two miles east of the junction of Oregon Highways 395 and 730: Google Map (main check station location)