Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area

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  Open for Recreation: Year-round

• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 6 Watertown Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:45PM), (315) 785-2263; [email protected]
  • Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911- or - 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)
    A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
• Location: Towns of Lyme and Cape Vincent, Jefferson County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 6G
• Map: Ashland Flats WMA Map (PDF) || DECinfo Locator

The primary purposes of Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is a 2,028-acre parcel. Ashland Flats is primarily an area of open meadows, second growth, and young forests typical of the Lake Ontario plains. Small game, deer, and grassland nesting birds are found on the WMA. Shaver Creek and a number of "potholes" also provide wetland habitat used by waterfowl and several species of furbearing mammals.

Accessible Features

From the Ashland Road Parking Area, wheelchair accessible features include the:

• Viewing platform

See Maps, Directions, and Featured Activities sections on this page for more details on these features. Visit the DEC Accessible Recreation Destinations web page for additional accessible recreation opportunities.

Directions

Located in northern Jefferson County two miles northeast of the village of Three Mile Bay, along Depot and Ashland roads. Much of the land borders Burnt Rock Road and County Route 8. There is parking for one or two cars on Burnt Rock Road. It is not a through trail.

• Burnt Rock Road, leads to nice wide trail (44.1141014°N, 76.2303009°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
• Ashland Road (44.1155014°N, 76.1891022°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
• Ashland Road (44.1152°N, 76.1923981°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

All users of Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area must follow all Wildlife Management Area Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Activity Rules and Regulations

• Wildlife Management Area Regulations (PDF) - updated in 2022
• Hunting Regulations
• Trapping Regulations
• Fishing Regulations

Outdoor Safety Tips

• Hunting Safety Tips
• Hiking Safety Tips

NOTE: Ticks are active whenever temperatures are above freezing, but especially so in the late spring and early fall. Deer ticks can transmit Lyme and several other diseases. More information on deer ticks and Lyme disease can be obtained from the NYS Department of Health.

How We Manage Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Ashland Flats WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.

Current management practices at Ashland Flats WMA are aimed at restoring and creating grassland habitat for various bird and wildlife species. In addition to the grassland habitat restoration projects, management techniques such as the construction of small dikes and ditch plugging will help increase the amount of waterfowl nesting and feeding cover on the area. Late summer mowing of the grasslands is done on a yearly basis to sustain the grasslands, preventing them from becoming young forest or brush land.

WMA Management Plans

In 2015, DEC began a management planning process for wildlife lands, including development of a habitat and an access plan for each area. Habitat Management Plans guide habitat management decision-making on WMAs to benefit wildlife and promote wildlife-dependent recreation. Access and Public Use Plans address management needs for public use activities, access features, facility development, and maintenance.

• The Habitat Management Plan for Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in February 2016, which identifies the WMA-specific target species and habitat goals for the WMA.
• The Access and Public Use Plan for Ashland Flats WMA (PDF), approved August 2022, describes current and proposed recreational opportunities and access features. 

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.

• The Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce 

State Lands and Facilities

• French Creek WMA

Numerous guide books and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails, and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.

Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions, and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories, or search the internet for listings.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association for information on outdoor guides.