Summer lake wildlife area was established in 1944, with primary objectives of protecting and improving waterfowlhabitat and providing a public hunting area

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 1 awarded the State of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) a formula grant of $1,126,419 under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) for the period of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This award supports habitat management, protection, enhancement, and restoration activities at Summer Lake Wildlife Area, an 18,941-acre facility in central Lake County, Oregon established to protect waterfowl habitat and provide public hunting access. The funding enables ODFW to maintain and improve wetlands and uplands that support diverse wildlife species and migratory waterfowl while sustaining the area's popular hunting, wildlife viewing, and environmental education programs.

The Wildlife Area's management activities are administered by ODFW staff and align with the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act's core objectives of conserving wild birds and mammals while promoting responsible outdoor recreation. The award supports operational and habitat management functions necessary to maintain optimal population levels of all species for public enjoyment across the Northern Great Basin landscape.

The wildlife area is located in central lake county along statehighway 31, 100 miles southeast of bend and 75 miles northwest of lakeview. The wildlife area is 18,941 acres insize at present.summer lake wildlife area is located in the northern great basin and has a significant land base well suited tosupport indigenous fish and wildlife species and migratory waterbirds. Wetlands and associated uplands providehabitat for a diverse array of wildlife species. Habitat types found on slwa are of quality and quantity to makea significant contribution to wildlife and migratory waterfowl in this portion of the state.slwa is a popular destination for hunting, wildlife viewing and environmental education due to its geographicsetting, the abundance of wildlife present and species diversity.habitat management and public use programs on the wildlife area are administered by odfw staff. The purpose of this grant is to protect, maintain, enhance, and restore wildlife habitat to support optimumpopulation levels of all species for the enjoyment of present and future citizens. All management activities onslwa are undertaken within the context of this primary purpose.