East Branch Fish Creek State Forest
- Open for recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 6 Lowville Office (M-F, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM), (315) 376-3521; information.r6@dec.ny.gov
- 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: Towns of Osceola, West Turin and Lewis; Lewis County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 6N
- Map: East Branch Fish Creek State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The 1,350-acre East Branch Fish Creek State Forest was purchased to establish a corridor along the East Branch of Fish Creek. This state forest is comprised of two parcels, the upper portion and the lower portion, both parcels are directly adjacent to the East Branch Fish Creek. Management by DEC protects water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities and maintains a vigorous forest while at the same time providing society and the forest products industry with critical raw materials.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
The East Branch Fish Creek trail in the northern portion and Heron Brook Foot Trail in the southern portion offer 3.5 miles of hiking trails. Visitors may also hike along the unpaved forest access roads that traverse the property.
Camping
General information on primitive camping includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
There is a primitive camp site located in the northern portion of the property, off of Michigan Mills Road.
At-large primitive camping is allowed. Campsites must be at least 150 feet away from the nearest road, trail or body of water. Camping for more than three nights or in groups of ten or more requires a permit from a Forest Ranger.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Trout fishing opportunities on the namesake of this state forest have been called outstanding. Some portions of the banks of the East Branch Fish Creek are gentle with an occasional outwash from the confluences of entering streams, while others have precipitous drops from overhanging cliffs cut by the path of this free-flowing stream. In some areas the stream channel even has a braided appearance. Brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout and Atlantic salmon can all be found in the East Branch Fish Creek.
For Public Fishing Rights (PFR) on East Branch Fish Creek visit DECinfo Locator- Interactive Trout Stream Fishing Map (DECinfo Locator is best viewed on a desktop computer. Users are encouraged to visit the Trout Stream Fishing Map User Guide first for "how to" instructions on using the fishing map).
North Central NY Fishing provides information on fishing in the area and links to top fishing waters, stocking lists, public fishing access and waters open to ice fishing listed by county.
Hunting & Trapping
General Information on hunting and general information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
Directions
This property is most accessible by motor vehicle from the Michigan Mills Road, a town road in the town of West Turin. Motor vehicles can be driven into the property nearly to the bridge over the East Branch of Fish Creek. The road will be signed as open to public motor vehicle use to a turnaround and parking area just short of the bridge.
Parking Areas:
- Wee Road Parking Area (43.64405101°N, 75.62219592°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
- Michigan Mills Extension Parking Area (43.606194°N, 75.613500°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
Campsite:
- East Branch Fish Creek State Forest campsite off Michigan Mills Road (43.60477568°N, 75.61522295°W) Google Maps (leaves DEC website)
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace Principles (leaves DEC website) 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 East Branch Fish Creek State Forest must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.
Specific Rules
Mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and horseback riding are all permitted on the property, however, there are no currently maintained trails for these activities.
Planning and Management
DEC developed the draft Tug Hill East Unit Management Plan (PDF, 8 MB), which describes the management activities for these lands. Public comments were accepted on the draft UMP from November 1st through December 15th, 2021. If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us at r6.ump@dec.ny.gov.
DEC manages public recreation on these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the East Branch Fish Creek Recreation Management Plan (RMP) (PDF). If you have questions and/or comments about this RMP, please email us r6.ump@dec.ny.gov.
History
The majority of this state forest was heavily cut during several previous paper company ownerships. The trees of this forest are slowly growing into larger yellow birch, red maple, hard maple, hemlock and balsam fir, along with some pine and spruce. DEC forestry staff conduct forest inventories and carefully control timber sales on this forest.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
State Lands and Facilities
- East Branch Fish Creek North Conservation Easement
- East Branch Fish Creek South Conservation Easement
- Raywood Unique Area
- Swancott Mill State Forest
- Swancott Hill State Forest
- East Osceola State Forest
- Lesser Wilderness State Forest
- Tug Hill Wildlife Management Area
Where to Find Nearby Amenities
- Gas, dining, lodging, food and other supplies can be found in the nearby communities of Altmar, Williamstown, Boonville, Constableville, Camden and Rome.
Lewis County Tourism (leaves DEC website) and Adirondacks Tug Hill region (leaves DEC website) can provide information about other recreation, attractions and amenities in this area.
Numerous guidebooks 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.
