Wildlife Management Area

Black Pond Wildlife Management Area

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Public Comments Being Accepted

Public comments are being accepted for the draft Black Pond WMA Access and Public Use Plan (PDF) through August 30, 2024. Comments can be sent to NYSDEC Bureau of Wildlife, Region 6, 317 Washington Street 7th Floor, Watertown, NY 13601 or via email with the subject line – Black Pond WMA draft APUP. 

 

The primary purposes of Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is a 551-acre parcel. It is a natural wetland complex consisting of a barrier beach, dune, open water, emergent marsh, and wooded/shrub swamp. Lakeshore barrier beach and wetland complexes such as this are rare in New York State. In recognition of this, the area has been designated as a significant coastal fish and wildlife habitat by the New York Department of State.

The WMA was designated as a Bird Conservation Area by the state as part of the Eastern Lake Ontario Marshes BCA on August 31, 1998. This WMA has significant breeding and over-wintering habitat for birds and is located along the eastern shoreline of Lake Ontario, a critical migratory corridor. The Black Pond WMA is bordered on the north by El Dorado Beach Preserve, which is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. Together, the two parcels contain a significant length of natural shoreline, which attracts several species of migrating shorebirds during late summer and early fall.

Featured Activities

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Please stay on the designated trails to protect the diversity and richness of the plant communities found within this area.

Wildlife Management Unit: 6G

General information on hunting include how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules, and regulations.

White-tailed deer, cottontail rabbit, and ruffed grouse are found on the upland portions of the area. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons).

Wildlife Management Unit: 6G

General information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Local furbearing species include raccoon, muskrat, beaver, and coyote. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view trapping seasons).

General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules, and regulations.

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

A viewing platform along the Black Pond trail provides good opportunity to view wetland wildlife, waterfowl and migratory birds. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Accessible Features

Wheelchair accessible features include the:

  • Path;
  • Observation platform; and
  • Fishing pier

The accessible path includes opportunities for wildlife observation and travels through woodland, wetland, and dune areas. Note: The gate on the entrance road to Black Pond WMA is closed and locked from the Friday before Memorial Day to the Tuesday after Labor Day. Qualified individuals can obtain a Motorized Access Permit for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) which will allow passage through the gate to the interior parking lot. The application and instructions to obtain a permit can be found here on the MAPPWD webpage. 

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

From Watertown, take Route 3 south. Shortly after crossing the Ellisburg town line, make a right onto Bolton Road and continue to the end of the road. Be sure to park in designated parking lots.

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 Black Pond 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 & Regulations

Prohibited activities at Black Pond WMA include:

  • all public access to the dune portion of the barrier beaches, except by permit from DEC;
  • erecting or posting any sign or notice except as permitted by DEC;
  • building, maintaining, or using a fire;
  • using devices to create sound, excluding personal electronics that produce sound audible only to the primary user;
  • erecting or maintaining a camp, tent, or structure of any kind;
  • defacing, disturbing, or damaging any structure, sign, equipment, or other property;
  • removing, injuring or destroying any plants;
  • removing any rocks, minerals, soil, or sand;
  • walking or riding any hoofed animals including, but not limited to horses;
  • use of any off-road vehicle including, but not limited to trail bikes, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and all terrain vehicles;
  • engaging in any activity or behavior which may endanger the safety of persons or property;
  • failure to keep household pets, including but not limited to dogs, caged or leashed (six feet or less) and under control at all times; and
  • possession of alcoholic beverages with intent to consume.

For a complete list of all WMA rules and regulations please see Wildlife Management Area Regulations (PDF) ​and Special Regulations for Black Pond WMA.

Outdoor 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 Black Pond Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Black Pond 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.

Habitat management is directed at the upland portions of the WMA which consist of woodlands, early succession growth, and old field/grassland. Management objectives of the WMA include the maintenance of habitat diversity to benefit a wide variety of both game and non-game wildlife species. View the Habitat Management Plan for Black Pond Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in January 2019, which identifies the WMA-specific target species and habitat goals for the WMA.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

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

State Lands and Facilities

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.

Important Links

Jefferson County Tourism
Special Regulations for Black Pond WMA
NYS Department of Health
Leave No Trace
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Region 6 - Western Adirondacks/Eastern Lake Ontario
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