Quincy Wildlife Recreation Area
Overview
The most striking feature of the 15,266-acre Quincy Lakes unit, west of the town of George, is the geology. It is a product of erosion of lava flows by glacial floodwaters. The many layers of basalt are exposed in towering 800-foot cliffs, isolated mesas, stair stepped benches, box canyons and potholes. Several of the potholes are filled with water that has seeped from the irrigation of the Quincy Basin farmlands upslope. These wetlands, ponds and lakes have added an important diversity to the habitat of this area. Most of this unit is well vegetated with perennial plants. Big sage/bluebunch wheatgrass is the most common plant community. There are a variety of other native shrub-steppe communities in areas where the soil is scarce, and one farm unit has been turned into a 70-acre shrub plot. A White Eatonella (Eatonella nivea) plant site near Frenchman Coulee has been designated a Natural Area by DNR. Striped whipsnakes have been observed on this unit. Several of the lakes are managed for trout fishing.
Activities
Boating
Boating is permitted.
Camping
Camping is permitted.
Fishing
Fish species include yellow perch, crappie, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and rainbow trout. Burke and Quincy lakes are seasonal trout waters
Hunting
Hunting is permitted.
Picnicking
Picnic areas are available.
Water Sports
Water sports are available.
Directions
Driving
From Quincy, take Hwy. 281 south five miles to county Road 5 NW, turn west (right)and drive three miles to Road T NW and turn south (left) on that gravel road. Proceed south 1/2 mile to the WDFW gate at the main entrance of the wildlife area. The east side of the Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area can be accessed via Hwy. 281 from Road 3 NW. There is a WDFW gravel access road at the west end of County Rd 3 NW.
OR
Frenchman Coulee Unit of Quincy Lakes Wildlife Area can be accessed by taking I-90 Exit 143 to Silica Road. About one mile north of Exit 143 on Silica Road, is the intersection of Frenchman Coulee Road. Go west (left) on Frenchman Coulee Road to access that portion of Quincy Wildlife Area.
Phone Numbers
Primary
(509) 754-4624Links
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