- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 5 Ray Brook Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:45PM), (518) 897-1291; [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: Town of Beekmantown, Clinton County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 5A
- Map: Montys Bay WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The primary purposes of Montys Bay Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. The WMA is 318 acres in 2 separate parcels and includes a hardwood swamp at the south end of Montys Bay on the western shore of Lake Champlain and a section of wetlands and agricultural uplands bordering Riley Brook. On the parcel east of Lake Shore Road is a majestic old-growth silver maple-ash swamp. It covers most of the periphery of Point Au Roche swamp, like a horseshoe that grades into shrub swamp and emergent marsh at the south end of Montys Bay.
As you enter the flood plain you will see massive cottonwoods, oaks, and silver maple-probably one of the oldest stands along Lake Champlain. Make sure to wear waterproof foot gear. This old growth forest provides hollow nesting cavities for tree-nesting species like wood ducks and songbirds. Hollow trees also provide winter denning areas for the resident raccoon population, squirrels, and other furbearers.
These parcels of land were acquired in 1966 with funding provided by the Park and Recreational Land Acquisitional Bond Act of 1960 and the Environmental Bond Act of 1972.
