Birch Run Ponds Fish & Wildlife Management Area

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• Open for Recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
• • DEC Region 9 Allegany Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:00PM), (716) 372-0645; region9@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: Town of Allegany, Cattaraugus County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 9T
• Map: Birch Run Ponds FWMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The primary purposes of Birch Run Ponds Fish & Wildlife Management Area (FWMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This FWMA covers 38.9 acres. It is located south of the Allegheny River along Lower Birch Run Road and borders I-86 on its northern end.

DEC acquired the property in 2008 when it was transferred from the NYS Department of Transportation. It was developed as part of a wetland mitigation project and as a recreation area for the public.

Featured Activities

Hunting and Trapping

Wildlife Management Unit: 9T

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

Hunting and trapping are allowed throughout the property. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons and trapping seasons). The property contains mostly small game and may have opportunities for waterfowl hunting.

Fishing

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

Fishing is allowed in the ponds on the property. Anglers can hope to find bluegill and other sunfish, suckers, and carp. A short trail from the parking area leads to an accessible fishing platform.

Hiking

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

An accessible trail leads from the parking area to the accessible fishing platform and picnic tables.

Wildlife

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

Look for beavers, muskrats, rabbits, songbirds, ospreys, mallards, geese, and mergansers. Use both the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Accessible Features

General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.

The western end of the property has multiple accessible features - a parking area, a trail, a fishing platform, and picnic tables.

Directions

Birch Run Ponds FWMA is located in the Town of Allegany along I-86, which forms its northern border.

• Birch Run Road parking area (42.0884018°N, 78.5622025°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 Birch Run Ponds Fish & Wildlife Management Area 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.

Activity Rules & Regulations

• Hunting Regulations
• Trapping Regulations
• Fishing Regulations
• Public Use of Wildlife Management Areas (PDF) - regulations updated in 2022

The following activities are not permitted in Birch Run Ponds FWMA:

• Unless specifically stated, using motorized vehicles, including:
  • all-terrain vehicles
  • snowmobiles
  • motorboats
• Swimming or bathing
• Camping
• Using metal detectors, searching for or removing historic or cultural artifacts without a permit
• Damaging or removing gates, fences, signs, or other property
• Overnight storage of boats
• Cutting, removing, or damaging living vegetation
• Construction of permanent blinds or other structures such as tree stands
• Littering
• Storage of personal property

Outdoor Safety Tips

• Hunting Safety Tips
• Hiking 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 (leaves DEC website).

How We Manage Birch Run Ponds Fish & Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Birch Run Ponds FWMA 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.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

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

• Cattaraugus County Tourism (leaves DEC website)

State Lands and Facilities

• Allegany State Park (leaves DEC website)
• Nine Mile Creek State Forest
• Windfall Creek State Forest

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.