Aerial view of marsh
Wildlife Management Area

Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area

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Map of Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area

The primary purposes of Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is an open water wetland adjacent to the St. Lawrence River. Wilson Hill WMA is a 4,000-acre area that consists of several large open water pools of approximately 1,800 acres bordered by cattail, shrub swamp, forest, and meadows.

Being in close proximity to the St. Lawrence River, the area is ideal for nesting and migrating waterfowl. It is not uncommon to find 15 to 20 different species of waterfowl on the area during the spring and fall migrations. The shallow impoundments of the area provide habitat for dabbling ducks, diving ducks, and geese. In addition to waterfowl, there are raptors and the emergent marsh supports an abundance of wetland furbearers.

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: 6A

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

Special entry and permit restrictions are in place at this WMA to protect key habitats and provide high-quality hunting opportunities. Wilson Hill WMA Wetlands Regulations lists permitted hunting opportunities and describes access restrictions.

This WMA is renowned for its excellent waterfowl hunting. Deer and small game hunting is available. Big game hunting in the restricted area is limited to archery only (see Wilson Hill WMA map). Big game hunting with firearms is allowed on the public hunting areas. Woodcock and grouse, along with the pheasants that are stocked during the fall, provide upland bird hunting. Controlled hunting is allowed during the fall and winter. Hunters must register to enter the area on those days the area is open. The public use zones are open all year. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons).

Wildlife Management Unit: 6A

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

Special entry and permit restrictions are in place at this WMA to protect key habitats and provide high-quality hunting opportunities. Wilson Hill WMA Wetlands Regulations lists permitted hunting opportunities and describes access restrictions.

This WMA is renowned for its excellent waterfowl hunting. Deer and small game hunting is available. Big game hunting in the restricted area is limited to archery only (see Wilson Hill WMA map). Big game hunting with firearms is allowed on the public hunting areas. Woodcock and grouse, along with the pheasants that are stocked during the fall, provide upland bird hunting. Controlled trapping is allowed during the fall and winter. Trapping is by seasonal permit. The public use zones are open all year. 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.

Wilson Hill WMA is divided into three zones: refuge, restricted use, and public use. There is no public access allowed in the refuge area, however there are two observation towers that are open year-round to provide wildlife observation opportunities. The observation tower along Route 131 provides a good overlook for birdwatchers. In the restricted use zone, there is no public access during most of the spring and summer. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Accessible Features

From the Western Parking Area, off Route 37, wheelchair accessible features include the:

  • Hiking trail with boardwalk; and
  • Viewing blind

The Nichols Pool Accessible Trail is 1.5 miles one way and has a gentle grade (max. slope 12%), wide tread (min. width 3 feet) and a firm surface of boardwalk and compacted stone.

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

Wilson Hill WMA is located in St. Lawrence County, approximately 6 miles west of the village of Massena along state highway Routes 37 and 131.

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 Wilson Hill 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 Wilson Hill WMA include​:

  • hunting after sunset
  • fishing within the WMA wetlands (except during the Wetlands Open House from 16 to 31 August)
  • trespassing within the Wetlands Restricted Area without a permit or within the Wildlife Refuge (except during the Wetlands Open House from 16 to 31 August)

For a complete list of all WMA rules and regulations please see Wildlife Management Area Regulations (PDF) and Public Use Regulations for Wilson Hill 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 Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Wilson Hill 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.

Extensive work is being done on the dyke system and water regulation systems on the area by the New York Power Authority and will vastly improve DEC's ability to manage water levels in the future for the benefit of the wetland habitats.

View the Habitat Management Plan for Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in April 2017, 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.

Wilson Hill WMA Wetlands Regulations

Public Use of Wetlands Restricted Area

The following special regulations apply to users of the areas posted as WETLANDS RESTRICTED AREA. Users of the area posted as PUBLIC HUNTING AND FISHING should follow the appropriate WMU 6A and general Wildlife Management Area regulations.

Specific Hunting Regulations

Hunter access to the WETLANDS RESTRICTED AREA is by permit (registration) only. If the permit station is closed, hunters must sign in at the registration kiosks located outside of the permit station or at the Nichols Trail parking area. Hunters must provide ALL requested information on registration form and must submit game for examination before leaving the Wetlands Restricted Area when the permit station is open OR sign out and report their take, if the station is closed. 

The WETLANDS RESTRICTED AREA is CLOSED to all hunting from 1 APRIL until 31 AUGUST.

Scouting

Pre-season scouting is NOT allowed in the WETLANDS RESTRICTED AREA, except for during the summer Open House from 16 August to 31 August.

Small Game and Furbearer Hunting

The WETLANDS RESTRICTED AREA is open for the following types of game hunting during the appropriate fall and winter seasons on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.

September Goose Season: Hunting is permitted from one-half hour before sunrise until 12:00 noon. Hunters must leave the area by 2:00 PM. The Wetlands Restricted Area portion of the East Pool (sometimes referred to as Zone A) will be CLOSED during this season.

Northeastern Zone Waterfowl Hunting Season: Hunting is permitted from one-half hour before sunrise until 12:00 noon. Hunters must leave the area by 2:00 PM.
On opening weekend only - hunters may begin entering the area no earlier than one (1) hour before legal hunting hours.

A Waterfowl Hunting Blind is available for the youth and regular waterfowl hunting seasons. Call the Project office for more information.

Junior and Military Active Duty and Veterans are allowed to hunt pheasants and migratory game birds during the scheduled special seasons.

All other Hunting: Hours are from sunrise to sunset on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only, from 1 October until 31 March. Hunters must report harvest and leave the area by one (1) hour after sunset.

Deer Hunting

The WETLANDS RESTRICTED AREA is open for archery-only hunting by permit each day of any Northern Zone bow, muzzleloader, or regular deer season. Archers must leave the area by one (1) hour after sunset.

Rifle and muzzleloader hunting are NOT permitted in the WETLANDS RESTRICTED AREA. Crossbows MAY be used during the appropriate Northern Zone deer hunting seasons.

Trapping

Permits area available for both the spring and fall seasons by contacting the Bureau of Wildlife at the Watertown office at (315) 785-2263.

Important Links

St. Lawrence County Tourism
Special Regulations for Wilson Hill
NYS Department of Health
Leave No Trace
Contact for this Page

NYSDEC Potsdam Sub-office
190 Outer Main St Suite 103
Potsdam, NY 13676

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