Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area
- 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
- Enforcement Matters: (518) 408-5850 (24/7)
- Location: Town of Farmersville, Cattaraugus County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 9W
- Map: Harwood Lake MUA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area (MUA) is a 301-acre property located northeast of the Village of Franklinville. The general topography of the area is rolling with active farmland confined to the valleys. The area was actively farmed in the late 19th and 20th centuries. However, with the changing economy and decline in farming, the land supported few marginal farms up to 1963. Harwood Lake is a 38-acre lake that was constructed in 1965 as a cooperative venture by the State and Federal Government's Soil Conservation Service. It is part of the Ischua Creek Small Watershed Protection Plan. DEC's Bureau of Fisheries maintains a fishing access site on the lake and the Bureau of Wildlife manages the upland area.
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.
Hunting and trapping are allowed within Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area. 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.
Shoreline fishing is allowed around the whole of Harwood Lake. The lake contains brook trout, brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, brown bullhead, bluegill and pumpkinseed. There is a hand launch located on the northern end of the lake.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
Users of the area are likely to encounter a variety of wildlife species.
- Mammals: beaver, muskrat, mink, raccoon, white-tailed deer
- Birds: mallards, wood ducks, black ducks, Canada geese, ruffed grouse, woodcock, herons, bitterns, and a variety of song birds.
Use the Wildlife Management Area Mammal Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Directions
Entry and parking lot to Harwood Lake MUA
From Interstate 86: Take Exit 27 and head north on Route 16 for 15 miles to the intersection with Route 98. Head east on Route 98 for about 3.5 miles until reaching the WMA. The parking areas will be on the right.
- Paved Parking Lot (42.381385°N, 78.386715°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions (leaves DEC website)
- Unpaved Parking Lot (42.379482°N, 78.389957°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions (leaves DEC website)
- Parking area and hand launch (42.384994°N, 78.379671°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions (leaves DEC website)
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
Rules, Regulations & 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 the Harwood Lake Multiple Use 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 Regulations (leaves DEC website)
- Regulations specific to this property (leaves DEC website)
The following activities are not permitted in Harwood Lake MUA:
- Off Road Vehicular Travel, including:
- all-terrain vehicles
- cars
- snowmobiles
- motorcycles
- trucks
- Swimming
- Camping
- Boating with motors
Outdoor Safety Tips:
How We Manage Harwood Lake Multiple Use Area
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Harwood Lake MUA 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.
The following highlights some of the principal management objectives and techniques for Harwood Lake MUA:
- maintaining high quality wildlife habitat through a grassland management plan
- protecting and maintaining special wildlife habitats that exist on the area such as deer wintering areas, raptor nest sites, and the wetland areas surrounding the lake
View the Habitat Management Plan for Harwood Lake MUA (PDF), approved in January 2018, 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.
- Cattaraugus County Tourism (leaves DEC website)
State Lands and Facilities
- Bush Hill State Forest
- Farmersville State Forest
- Crab Hollow State Forest
- Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area
- Bear 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.
