Cazenovia Creek Fish & Wildlife Management Area

icon key

• 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 West Seneca, Erie County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 9C (Hunting is not permitted)
• Map: Cazenovia Creek FWMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The primary purposes of the Cazenovia Creek Fish & Wildlife Management Area (FWMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife-dependent recreation, and protecting the unique riparian (along the bank of a river) habitat. This FWMA covers 126.9 acres. It is located along Cazenovia Creek, which forms its northern border. The property was acquired in 2015 when two parcels of land were transferred to DEC from the NYS Office of Mental Health and Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

The FWMA supports a variety of native wildlife and also features several distinct floodplain habitats, as well as an upland forest located at the top of the creek ridge. There is only one designated trail, but hiking is allowed throughout the property to view wildlife in the forest or fish the creek. Note that Wildlife Management Unit 9C is closed to hunting and trapping.

Featured Activities

Fishing

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

Wooded gorge on Cazenovia Creek

This FWMA provides fishing access on Cazenovia Creek. Anglers can enjoy exceptional fishing, especially from fall through spring when migratory steelhead from Lake Erie enter this section of Cazenovia Creek.

Hiking

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

There is one developed trail, located south of East Drive on the eastern end of the property.

Wildlife

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

With several distinct habitats, this FWMA supports a variety of native wildlife species. Look for deer, songbirds, wood ducks, mallards, turkeys, woodcocks, and ospreys. Bald eagles may use the property as well.

Use both the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Directions

Cazenovia Creek FWMA is located in the Town of West Seneca along Cazenovia Creek, which forms its northern border.

• Leydecker Road parking area (42.831973°N, 78.715960°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 Cazenovia Creek 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

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

The following activities are not permitted in Cazenovia Creek FWMA:

• Unless specifically stated, using motorized vehicles, including:
  • all-terrain vehicles
  • snowmobiles
  • motorboats
• Hunting
• Trapping
• 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

• 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 Cazenovia Creek Fish & Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Cazenovia Creek FWMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (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.

• Visit Buffalo Niagara (leaves DEC website)

State Lands and Facilities

• Hampton Brook Woods Wildlife Management Area
• Knox Farm State Park (leaves DEC website)
• Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center

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.