Wildlife Management Area

Motor Island Wildlife Management Area

Top Motor Island Wildlife Management Area

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Open for Recreation: Access onto the island, including the beach area, is closed to the public. Limited use offshore is allowed (e.g., wildlife viewing and waterfowl hunting).

Motor Island Wildlife Management Area location

Fee: Free
Contact Information:
- DEC Region 9 Allegany Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:00PM), (716) 372-0645; [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 Grand Island, Niagara County
Wildlife Management Unit: 9A
Map: Motor Island WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

Featured Activities

Wildlife Management Unit: 9A

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

The island is an important habitat for colonial nesting birds, including cormorants, great blue herons, great egrets, and black-crowned night herons. Beavers are also known to use the island. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Directions

The WMA is an island in the Niagara River and can only be accessed by boat - (42.964515°N, 78.934036°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions (Leaves DEC website).

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 Motor Island 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

Wildlife Management Area Regulations (PDF) - updated in 2022
Hunting Regulations
Trapping Regulations
Fishing Regulations

Prohibited activities on Motor Island WMA include:

Access onto the island, including the beach area, is closed to the public.

For a complete list of all WMA rules and regulations please see the Wildlife Management Area Regulations PDF above.

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 Motor Island Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Motor Island 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.

A principal management objective and technique for this WMA is to protect habitat for a unique group of colonial nesting birds. At this time, the Bureau of Wildlife is not conducting any land management activities on the island. In 2013, the New York Power Authority completed the Motor Island Shoreline Restoration Habitat Improvement Project. This project is part of the requirements in the power authority's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license and NYS Water Quality Certificate for the Niagara Power Project. This Habitat Improvement Project (HIP) was developed jointly with DEC and involves some invasive species removal and shoreline habitat creation.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities, and Other Information

Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.

Buffalo Niagara

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.