Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area
Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area encompasses 1,468 acres along the Duprey Road in the Town of Chazy, Clinton County. The principal portions of this management area were acquired in two stages from the William H. Miner Foundation, 648 acres in 1953 and 750 acres in 1970.
Prior to state ownership, the area was primarily used for agriculture and timber harvesting. In addition, water control structures were built along Tracy Brook to generate hydro-electric power. This mosaic of cropland, woodland, and impounded open water provided an ideal base upon which to establish a wildlife management area.
Map of Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area
Management
Today, Lake Alice is managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) for a variety of recreational and scientific purposes, including: natural resources education, wildlife observation and photography, fishing, trapping, hunting and canoeing. One of the primary objectives is to provide nesting and feeding habitat to a variety of waterfowl.
Management techniques such as the construction of potholes, dikes and islands, as well as ditching and shoreline clearing have greatly increased the amount of waterfowl nesting and feeding habitat at the site. As a result of these efforts, wood ducks, black ducks, mallards, mergansers, teal and Canada geese are readily observed on the management area. In addition, wood duck nest boxes have been erected throughout the area. These artificial nest locations mimic the natural, but scarce, tree cavities utilized by this species of duck.
Ecological Communities
Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area consists of an assortment of ecological communities ranging from emergent marsh to hemlock-northern hardwood forest. This variety in habitat allows the area to support diverse fish and wildlife populations. The DEC employs various management techniques within some of these different habitats to improve breeding and feeding conditions for numerous wildlife species.
One of the ecological communities present is the northern hardwood forest. The DEC is utilizing patch clear-cuts on approximately 70 acres of northern hardwoods to produce a mosaic of forest canopy levels on the management area. By cutting 16 separate 2.5 to 5 acre plots over a 40 year rotation a variety of cover types can be generated at the site. This type of timber management provides habitat for ruffed grouse - a bird species which requires clearings and dense young hardwoods for nesting and brood rearing, while requiring more mature stands for courtship and roosting. The habitat created in this area is also suitable for wild turkeys, woodcock, and deer.
Recreational Opportunities
A series of level, easily accessible foot trails have been constructed so visitors can access the management area. These footpaths are used for recreation, such as hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, family outings and education. The trails help direct visitors to various points of interest located throughout the site, including scenic vistas and unique ecological communities, offering individuals an opportunity to learn more about nature and examine the relationship between habitat and wildlife. Thus, Lake Alice offers a chance for visitors with widely diverse interests, from sportsmen to wildlife researcher, to pursue their favorite outdoor activity.
Hunting, fishing and trapping are integral parts of the conservation and management of New York's natural resources and the various wildlife management areas across the state are no exception.
Waterfowl, deer, and snowshoe hare entice hunters to Lake Alice while beavers, mink and muskrats attract the interest of trappers. Anglers have ample opportunity to catch such warm water species as brown bullhead and northern pike.
Hunting, fishing, trapping and other forms of wildlife-based recreation are permitted in accordance with the Environmental Conservation Law and its associated regulations. Please check the annual syllabus for appropriate regulations and season dates which apply to this wildlife management area.
Rules For Use
Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area is open to the public throughout the year. Hunting, fishing and trapping are allowed in season on most of the area in accordance with the Environmental Conservation Law and regulations. Hunting is prohibited within a 300 acre restricted zone (outlined on the map) to provide a resting area for waterfowl.
Boundaries and parking areas are clearly marked and any special regulations are conspicuously posted at all access points.
The following actions are prohibited: swimming, overnight camping, fires, the use of all motorized vehicles or motorized water conveyances.
For more information concerning Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area please contact the Region 5 Bureau of Wildlife at (518) 897-1291.
Please Observe Good Outdoor Manners:
If You Carry It In, Carry It Out
