Western Rivers Conservancy transfers 585 acres along St. Joe River to Forest Service

A 585-acre stretch of land along the St. Joe River has been permanently protected following a recent transfer to federal ownership.

On March 3, Western Rivers Conservancy conveyed the Fishhook Creek property to the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, securing one mile of frontage along the St. Joe River and an additional 0.6 miles of Fishhook Creek.

The parcel, previously a private inholding within the St. Joe Ranger District, had largely been closed to public use.

The newly protected land includes critical habitat for native fish species and a range of wildlife. 

According to a press release from Idaho Panhandle National Forests, the St. Joe River system is considered a stronghold for both bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout, including the last self-sustaining bull trout population in the greater Lake Coeur d’Alene watershed. 

Conservation of the Fishhook Creek area is expected to support ongoing recovery efforts for the threatened species, particularly as restoration work continues upstream.

“The St. Joe River has such a long and storied legacy as both a wild trout stream and a haven for recreation,” said Jessica Inwood, Washington project manager for Western Rivers Conservancy. “We’re grateful to have worked with the U.S. Forest Service to expand on this legacy and keep a prime stretch of the St. Joe intact and thriving for fish, wildlife, and people.”

In addition to its fisheries value, the property’s mixed forests of Douglas fir, larch and pine provide habitat for species including grizzly bear, Rocky Mountain elk and Canada lynx. Under U.S. Forest Service management, the land will remain protected while continuing to recover and mature.

“This acquisition reflects a thoughtful balance between environmental conservation and community benefit,” said St. Joe District Ranger Noe Reyes. “By placing this land under stewardship of the U.S. Forest Service, we are supporting sustainable forest management, protecting natural resources, and contributing to the long-term economic vitality of the region.”

Upstream of the property, the St. Joe is designated wild and scenic where it flows through the national forest, while downstream, the river is mostly private.

"Opening the Fishhook Creek property to the public will create prime new river access for boating, hiking, fishing, hunting, birdwatching, and other activities in just a two-hour drive from Coeur d’Alene," the press release read.

By conserving this property, the U.S. Forest Service and Western Rivers Conservancy have filled a key gap in protection and improved management abilities for the Forest Service, which manages nearly all the land adjacent to the property. 

"The effort is a meaningful step toward keeping the pristine, accessible legacy of the St. Joe alive for generations to come," the press release read.