Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area
See the recreation icon key
Entry and parking lot to Harwood Lake MUA
- Location: Town of Farmersville, Cattaraugus County
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: None
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 9 Allegany Office 716-372-0645 (M-F 8AM - 4PM) region9@dec.ny.gov
- Emergency, Law Enforcement & Rangers: 1-877-457-5680 or 911
- Wildlife Management Unit: 9W
- Maps: Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area Map (PDF) (690KB) || Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area
- Interactive Maps: Google Earth || State Lands Interactive Mapper
Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area (MUA) is a 301-acre property located northeast of the Village of Franklinville.
Featured Activities
Hunting and Trapping
General information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Wildlife Viewing
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.
- Mammals: beaver, muskrat, mink, raccoon, white-tailed deer
- Birds: mallards, wood ducks, black ducks, Canadian geese, ruffed grouse, woodcock, herons, bitterns and a variety of song birds.
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.
- Paved Parking Lot
Get Google Map Driving Directions (leaves DEC website) - Unpaved Parking Lot
Get Google Map Driving Directions (leaves DEC website)
Rules, Regulations & Outdoor Safety
Activity Rules & Regulations:
- Hunting Regulations
- Trapping Regulations
- Public Use of Wildlife Management Areas Regulations (Leaves DEC website)
- Regulations specific to this property (leaves DEC website)
The following activities are not permitted in Harwood Lake MUA:
- Off Road Vehicular Travel, including:
- all-terrain vehicles
- cars
- snowmobiles
- motorcycles
- trucks
- Swimming
- Camping
- Boating with motors
Outdoor Safety Tips:
How We Manage Harwood Lake MUA
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/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 the Harwood Lake MUA:
- To maintain high quality wildlife habitat through a grassland management plan
- To protect and maintain special wildlife habitats that exist on the area such as deer wintering areas, raptor nest sites, and the wetland areas surrounding the lake
History
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. The general topography of the area is rolling with active farm land 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.
The Bureau of Fisheries maintains a fishing access site on the lake and the Bureau of Wildlife manages the upland area.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
- Bush Hill State Forest
- Farmersville State Forest
- Crab Hollow State Forest
- Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area
- Bear Creek State Forest
Cattaraugus County Tourism (leaves DEC website) can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.
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 (leaves DEC website) for information on outdoor guides.
