Public Access
The Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area is under the management of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The Friends of Ladd Marsh supports and education about using this resource for anglers, hunters, and wildlife viewers.
An ODFW Wildlife Area Parking Permit is required to park in LMWA parking areas.
Permits may be purchased where fishing licenses are sold.
Public Access: March 1 – July 31
Hunting Access: August 1 – January 31
Marsh Open Dates (download the PDF)
Fishing
Angling on the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area is limited to the Peach Road Fishing Pond. The fishing pond is stocked seasonally with rainbow trout. A restroom is located at the fishing pond.
Parking permits are required to park on Ladd Marsh. Permits may be purchased where fishing licenses are sold.
See ODFW Fishing Regulations for details.
Hunting
All units of the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area (LMWA) except Refuges and Safety Zones are open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and Federal Holidays August 1 through January 31. Motorized travel is prohibited. The area is closed between 10:00 pm and 4:00 am. Leaving decoys set out overnight (10:00 am – 4:00 am) is prohibited. Non-motorized boats are permitted. Possession or use of shot other than federally-approved nontoxic shot is prohibited at all times, except for authorized big game hunting
The Glass Hill Unit (open 7 days per week April 1 through January 31) is open to hunting during any authorized season with the appropriate licenses or tags. Motorized travel is prohibited.
Visit the ODFW Big Game Hunting and Game Bird Hunting pages for details.
Wildlife Viewing
All units of the Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area (LMWA) except Refuges and Safety Zones and except Glass Hill during the winter closure period, are open to access Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and Federal Holidays August 1 – January 31. Motorized travel is prohibited. The area is closed between 10:00 pm and 4:00 am. Access during this time is not limited to hunting but is open to all users. There will be times of day, time of the season and area of the wildlife area with little or no hunting activity. Birders are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities to view the marsh’s winter residents. A Google map of the following viewing locations is available from a link at the top of this page.
The Tule Lake Public Access Area is open 7 days per week March 1 through July 31 each year. The public access area consists of approximately 400 acres of seasonal wetlands with a one-mile auto route, several miles of trails and a restroom. An ADA accessible boardwalk and viewing platform is located near the north end of the auto route, and an ADA accessible view blind is south of the parking area.
The Foothill Road Viewpoint is accessible year-round from Foothill Road, 5 miles south of La Grande. Looking to the east and south, visitors are often rewarded with views of large flocks of waterfowl and Sandhill Cranes.
The Glass Hill Unit is open April 1 through January 31 for wildlife viewing, hiking, horseback riding and other activities. Motorized travel is prohibited. Be aware this unit is open to game bird and big game hunting during authorized seasons; wearing blaze orange is recommended at these times.
The Nature Trail, with its entrance just east of Interstate 84, is open to hiking and wildlife viewing year-round. Hunting and motorized travel beyond the parking area are prohibited on the Nature Trail. While the wetlands associated with this 1.25 mile trail have become overgrown with time, raptors, passerines and other birds may still be found in the area.