The 1,207 acre Wildlife Management Area includes McArthur Lake, which is impounded by a dam, a long earthen berm with a concrete spillway section roughly in the middle. Most of the area is accessible for most of the year with certain restrictions on access to certain areas during nesting times. Many people visit the WMA to view wildlife, particularly in June for moose and during the peak bird migrations in spring and fall.
The fish ladder consists of a reversing, sloping channel beside the spillway, above which is a series of low steps which make it relatively easy for fish to enter the lake from Deep Creek.
McArthur Wildlife Management Area
McArthur Lake Wildlife Management Area offers excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife, fishing, and hunting.
McArthur Lake Wildlife Management Area was established in 1942 to protect and enhance Idaho's waterfowl habitat. This site is located at the confluence of Deep and Dodge Creeks. It consists of a rich fen wetlands enhanced by a dam. Operated by Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the waterfowl habitat encompasses more than 1,200 acres which provides refuge to more than 200 species of birds, including American Wigeon, Mallard, Green-winged Teal, Lesser Scaup, Common Goldeneye, Bufflehead, and others. Also, Canada Geese during migration in the spring and fall. Significant populations of waterfowl, secretive marsh birds, and shorebirds nest here, as well as Bald Eagles, Veery, Swainson’s Thrush, and Vaux’s Swifts.
From Bonners Ferry Info