Grassy field with forest in the distance
Wildlife Management Area

Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area

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  • Open for Recreation : Year-round
Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area location

Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area (MUA) is a 301-acre property located northeast of the Village of Franklinville. The general topography of the area is rolling with active farmland confined to the valleys. The area was actively farmed in the late 19th and 20th centuries. However, with the changing economy and decline in farming, the land supported few marginal farms up to 1963. Harwood Lake is a 38-acre lake that was constructed in 1965 as a cooperative venture by the State and Federal Government's Soil Conservation Service. It is part of the Ischua Creek Small Watershed Protection Plan. DEC's Bureau of Fisheries maintains a fishing access site on the lake and the Bureau of Wildlife manages the upland area.

Featured Activities

Wildlife Management Unit: 9W

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

Hunting is allowed within Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons).

Wildlife Management Unit: 9W

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

Trapping is allowed within Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area. 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.

Shoreline fishing is allowed around the whole of Harwood Lake. The lake contains brook trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead, bluegill and pumpkinseed. There is a hand launch located on the northern end of the lake.

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

Users of the area are likely to encounter a variety of wildlife species.

Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Directions

From Interstate 86: Take Exit 27 and head north on Route 16 for 15 miles to the intersection with Route 98. Head east on Route 98 for about 3.5 miles until reaching the WMA. The parking areas will be on the right.

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 the Harwood Lake Multiple Use 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:

Outdoor Safety Tips:

How We Manage Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Harwood Lake MUA 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.

The following highlights some of the principal management objectives and techniques for Harwood Lake MUA:

  • maintaining high quality wildlife habitat through a grassland management plan
  • protecting and maintaining special wildlife habitats that exist on the area such as deer wintering areas, raptor nest sites, and the wetland areas surrounding the lake

View the Habitat Management Plan for Harwood Lake MUA (PDF), approved in January 2018, 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

Cattaraugus County Tourism
Contact for this Page

NYS DEC Region 9 Wildlife Manager
182 E Union St Suite 3
Allegany, NY 14706

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