- Open for Recreation: Year-round. Currently, public access is by water vessel only.
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 6 Potsdam Sub-Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:30PM), (315) 265-3090; [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: Towns of Lisbon & Waddington, St. Lawrence County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 6A
- Map: Swallow Bluffs Wildlife Management Area (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The primary purposes of Swallow Bluffs Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. The WMA overlooks the great St. Lawrence River, and consists of five separate parcels-approximately 55 acres in total.
DEC acquired this unique property in 2016 through a transfer of jurisdiction from New York Power Authority to preserve the bluffs for nesting Bank Swallows (Riparia riparia) and to provide lasting protection of important muskellunge (or "musky") spawning habitat. Bank Swallows are not rare in New York; however, their nesting habitat is often vulnerable to disturbance during their nesting period. The slowly eroding banks of this WMA provide high quality nesting opportunities for the swallows. Muskellunge are a very important fishery in the St. Lawrence River, but quality spawning habitat is limited and one of the acquired parcels protects a targeted spawning area for musky.