Indian River Wildlife Management Area
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 6 Watertown Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:45PM), (315) 785-2263; 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: Town of Theresa, Jefferson County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 6A
- Map: Indian River WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The primary purposes of Indian River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is a 968-acre tract of land which consists of 432 acres of upland forest (including beech-maple mosaic forest, hemlock-northern hardwood forest, and young northern hardwoods), 25 acres of crop land and fields, and 510 acres of wetland (including deep and shallow emergent marsh, shrub swamp, flood plain forest, red maple-hardwood swamp, and impounded swamp).
Featured Activities
Hunting and Trapping
General information on hunting and general information on trapping include how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules, and regulations.
The several ecological communities present on the Indian River WMA provide diverse habitat and supports a wide variety of game and non-game wildlife species. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons and trapping seasons).
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules, and regulations.
One car-top boat launch is located at the end of Red Lake Road, providing access to Red Lake, and the other is off Nelson Road, providing access to the Indian River.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
The several ecological communities present on the Indian River WMA provides diverse habitat and supports a wide variety of game and non-game wildlife species for viewing. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Directions
All Google links leave DEC website.
- Red Lake Road, large parking area, gravel (44.2703018°N, 75.7468033°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Red Lake Road, next to Indian River, gravel (44.2648019°N, 75.7605972°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
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 Indian River 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
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 (leaves DEC website).
How We Manage Indian River Wildlife Management Area
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Indian River 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.
View the Habitat Management Plan for Indian River Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in February 2017, which identifies the WMA-specific target species and habitat goals for the WMA.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.
- The Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce (leaves DEC website)
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 (leaves DEC website) for information on outdoor guides.
