Snake River Islands WSA

General Location 
The 25-mile segment of the South Fork of the Snake River between Swan Valley and Heise, Idaho

Natural Features 
39  islands covered with dense riparian vegetation: an overstory of middle-age cottonwoods on the larger islands with an understory of forbs, grasses and scattered shrubs.  Willows, Russian olive, alder and dogwood grow on smaller islands.

Fishing from and around the islands is the most popular activity and is directly related to the excellent cutthroat trout fishery in the South Fork. The area provides sites for bald eagle nesting and roosting and hunting sites for other raptors. Elk depend on the islands for forage in the winter, while deer and moose use them year-round.

The islands are within the designated Snake River Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) and Snake River Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) boundaries.  Six of the islands are managed as research natural areas (RNAs).

Total Acres 
770