National Wildlife Refuge System
Photo: An African-American boy and his father kneel near the bank of a stream, proudly showing off the fish they just caught. Photo: Carl Zitsman/USFWS
Northeast Region

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia

The region of the megalopolis, seemingly unbroken development from Virginia’s Tidewater to north of Boston, is nonetheless a great place for anglers in search of solitude and quality fishing. The refuges of the Northeast can be an angler’s delight. What’s your preference—giant stripers in the surf or chopper bluefish in tidal estuaries? They’re here, along with largemouth bass in coastal plain ponds and, of course, the native trout of the eastern uplands, the brook trout. This region is the cradle of trout fishing in America, and a region that offers much to see for the wandering and observant angler.


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Popular Fish of the Northeast Region

Popular Fish of the Northeast Region

Connecticut

Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 1030, Westbrook, CT 06498; (860) 399-2513; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53546. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Stewart B. McKinney NWR consists of 9 units within the Long Island Sound Ecosystem. It is located along 70 miles of the CT coast between Westbrook and Greenwich. Nearest main highway is I-95.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Hiking and nature trails

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Delaware

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge

11978 Turkle Pond Rd., Milton, DE 19968; (302) 684-8419; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=51560. Office hours, 7:30 am-7:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open year-round 1/2 hour before and after sunrise. Nearest highway is U.S. Route 1. Nearest community is Milton. Fishing is allowed in non-tidal waters of Prime Hook Creek and Turkle and Fleetwood ponds and brackish tidal waters of Petersfield Ditch and Slaughter Canal. Fishing season is year-round, except for the Headquarters dike which is closed October 1-March 15. Boats up to 25 horsepower are permitted in Prime Hook Canal. Only electric or hand-propelled boats are permitted in Turkle and Fleetwood ponds. Available species include largemouth bass, chain pickerel, white perch and crappie.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities / No motors for boating

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Maine

Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area

P.O. Box 495, 16 Rockport Park Centre, Rockport, ME 04856; (207) 236-6970 extension 11; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53561. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open during daylight hours. Nearest highways are ME Rts. 11, 100 and 220. Nearest community is Troy. All of Carlton Pond is open to fishing in accordance with state seasons. Available species include American shad, brown bullhead, brown trout, chain pickerel, largemouth and smallmouth bass and yellow perch. There are no fishing facilities.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Canoeing and kayaking

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge

103 Headquarters Rd., Suite 1, Baring, ME 04694; (207) 454-7161; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53530. Nearest community is Baring. Nearest highway is Hwy. 9. Located in easternmost Maine, designated waters of the refuge are open to fishing sunrise to sunset during seasons prescribed by the state. Brook trout inhabit steams and beaver flowages, while smallmouth bass, yellow perch and chain pickerel may be found in lakes and ponds. Outboard motors (including electric) are not permitted on waters of the wilderness areas.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Primitive camping / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Disabled angler facilities / No motors for boating

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge

321 Port Rd., Wells, ME 04090; (207) 646-9226; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53553. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Nearest highway is Route 1. Nearest community is Kennebunk. Fishing season is in accordance with state regulations. Available species include striped bass and sea-run brown trout with either fly rod or other tackle. Refuge regulations require the use of non-lead jigs and sinkers.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 495, 16 Rockport Park Centre, Rockport, ME; (207) 236-6970, extension 11; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53560. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Nearest highways are Route 2 and I-95. Nearest communities are Orono to Old Town. Refuge waters open to fishing include Baker Brook, Birch Stream, Buzzy Brook, Dudley Brook, Johnson Brook, Little Birch Stream, Sandy Stream and Sunkhaze Stream. Fishing season is in accordance with state regulations. Available species include brook trout, smallmouth bass, yellow perch and chain pickerel. Fishing access is via the county and Stud Mill roads in Milford. There are no fishing facilities.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

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Maryland

Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

2145 Key Wallace Dr., Cambridge, MD 21613; (410) 228-2677; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=51531. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday; 9:00 am-5:00 pm, Saturday. Refuge is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Fair access roads. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 50. Nearest communities are Church Creek and Cambridge. Refuge waters include Blackwater and Little Blackwater Rivers (9,000 acres). Expansive marsh area has many shallow water areas and winding guts. Available species include largemouth bass, striped bass, black crappie, bluegill, white and yellow perch and catfish. Refuge is closed to boating and canoeing October 1-March 31 to prevent impact on migrating waterfowl and eagles and is sometimes closed in areas to prevent impact on eagle nesting after April 1. Access is restricted to fishing from roadway or boat.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Public rest facilities / Boat launching* / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

*Canoe and kayak only.

Patuxent Research Refuge

12100 Beech Forest Rd., Laurel, MD 20708-4039; (301) 497-5580; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=51640. Office hours, 10:00 am-5:30 pm at the National Wildlife Visitor Center; 8:00 am-4:30 pm (or later seasonally) at the Patuxent North Tract entrance. Refuge is generally open 8:00 am-6:30 pm. Good access roads. Nearest highways are Baltimore/Washington Parkway and MD Route 197. Nearest community is Laurel. Fishing opportunities include freshwater, non-tidal pond and river fishing. Available species include bluegill, black crappie, bass, pickerel and catfish. Fishing is seasonal at Cash Lake (mid-June to mid-October); hours are sunrise to sunset. Small boats are allowed for fishing in Cash Lake only.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center / Disabled angler facilities / No motors for boating*

*No gas motors.

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Massachusetts

Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge

Administered as part of the Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex, 73 Weir Hill Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776; (978) 443-4661; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53513. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Nearby major roads include Route 62 in Hudson, Route 117 in Stow and Route 27 in Sudbury. Year-round fishing opportunities from bank or non-motorized boat at Puffer Pond are likely by fall 2005. Available species include largemouth bass, chain pickerel, brown bullhead and a variety of sunfish species.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center*

*Kiosk.

Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Weir Hill Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776-1427; (508) 443-4661; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53511. Office hours, 7:00 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. Good access roads. Nearest main highways are Hwys. 128, 495 and 2. Nearest communities are Billerica, Bedford, Carlisle, Concord, Lincoln, Sudbury and Wayland. Fishing season is year-round.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center*

*Kiosk, visitor contact station.

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

Administered by Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex, 73 Weir Hill Road, Sudbury, MA 01776-1427; (508) 443-4661; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53514. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset except Morris Island which is open 24 hours. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 28. Nearest community is Chatham. No saltwater fishing license is required. Fishing is permitted year-round in designated areas. Available species include striped bass, bluefish and flounder.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge

Unstaffed refuge on Great Point, Nantucket Island, administered as part of the Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex, 73 Weir Hill Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776-1427; (508) 228-5646; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53515. Office hours, 7:00 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Primitive access roads. There are no nearby highways. Nearest community is Nantucket. No license is required for saltwater fishing. Fishing season is year-round. Available species include striped bass and bluefish. Boat or RV is required for access.

Amenities: Public rest facilities

Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge

Unstaffed refuge administered as part of the Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex, 73 Weir Hill Rd., Sudbury, MA 01776; (978) 443-4661; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53512. Office hours, 7:00 am-4:00 pm. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Nearest highways are Route 2, I-190 and I-495. Nearest community is Shirley. Public access is off Route 110 at Still River Depot Road, Harvard. Fishing opportunities are available by boat/canoe on the main stem of the Nashua River and from riverbank trails on portions of the refuge. Canoe launch is at refuge parking area. Fishing season is in accordance with state regulations. Available species include largemouth bass, brown bullhead, yellow perch and a variety of sunfish species.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center*

*Kiosk.

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

6 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA 01950-4315; (978) 465-5753; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53550. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm. Refuge is open daily, sunrise to sunset. One access road (3.5 miles unpaved). Nearest main highways are 1-95, I-495 and Route 1. Nearest community is Newburyport. Refuge waters include 6.5 miles of beachfront and a large estuary. Available species include bluefish, flounder, striped bass, mackerel, tautog and cod, as well as various shellfish. Fishing seasons are daylight hours, year-round and nights mid-August-October 31.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Primitive camping / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching* / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

*Non-motor only.

Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge is a collection of habitats in MA, CT, NH and VT. The headquarters is located at 52 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, 01376; (413) 863-0209; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53590. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm. The Great Falls Discovery Center is located at the headquarters, but the refuge's land holdings are not, so it is best to call ahead to plan fishing opportunities. The primary fishing opportunities include brook trout at the Nulhegan Basin Division in northeastern VT. There are also a variety of bass and American shad fishing opportunities in the mainstem of the Connecticut River at various locations in CT and MA.

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New Jersey

Cape May National Wildlife Refuge

24 Kimbles Beach Rd., Cape May Court House, NJ 08210; (609) 463-0994; Office hours, 8:00 am- 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open dawn to dusk. Nearest highway is State Hwy. 47. Nearest community is Cape May Court House. The refuge offers fishing year-round along the Delaware Bay off Kimbles Beach. The most common species caught include Atlantic croaker, bluefish, striped bass and flounder. For more information, visit http://capemay.fws.gov/.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 72, Oceanville, NJ 08231-0072; (609) 652-1665; Office hours, 8:00 am- 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Nearest main highways are Garden State Parkway and U.S. 9. Nearest community is Oceanville. Refuge boat ramp is at Scott's Landing. Atlantic Ocean is accessible from channel adjacent to refuge. Fishing from Little Beach requires a special use permit. Visitors are asked to make first visit at low tide to learn channels. The refuge has saltwater fishing opportunities at the following shore access points: Cedar Creek (Ocean County, Stafford Township) off Stafford Avenue, Cedar Run Creek (Ocean County, Eagleswood Township) off Cedar Run Dock Road, Parker Run (Ocean County, Little Egg Harbor Township) off Dock Road, Gravelling Point (Ocean County, Little Egg Harbor Township) near the end of Radio Road and at Holgate Beach at the southern tip of Long Beach Island (open September 1-March 31). There is freshwater fishing access at Lily Lake (Atlantic County, Galloway Township), including bank fishing from the south shore and boat fishing (no internal combustion engines allowed). Available species include smallmouth bass and sunfish in the lake. Saltwater species include striped bass, bluefish, flounder, spot and weakfish. For more information, visit http://forsythe.fws.gov/.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Primitive camping / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching* / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / No motors for boating

*Lily Lake only.

Supawna Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

197 Lighthouse Rd., Pennsville, NJ 08070; (856) 935-1487; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=52571. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Nearest highway is Route 49. Nearest community is Harrisonville. The refuge offers fishing in ponds along Lighthouse Road. Tidal waters can be accessed from boat launches along the Salem River. Fishing season is in accordance with state regulations. The most popular species caught include American shad and catfish. Crabbing is also popular.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge

1547 County Rte. 565, Sussex, NJ 07461-4013; (973) 702-7266. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Nearest highway is Hwy. 23. Nearest community is Sussex. Fishing is available by canoe or car-top boat along the 9 miles of Wallkill River as it passes through the refuge. The refuge also maintains sites for shoreline fishing behind refuge headquarters (two locations on Rte. 565), Bassetts Bridge Road, and Oil City Road. Species include bluegill and other sunfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, catfish, bullhead and pickerel. The refuge is open to fishing year-round from sunrise to sunset. Anglers may not take frogs or turtles. For more information, visit http://wallkillriver.fws.gov/.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

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New York

Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge

Administered by Wertheim NWR, P.O. Box 21, Shirley, NY 11967-0021; (631) 286-0485; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=52562. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Good access roads. Nearest main highways are Montauk Hwy., 27A and 80. Nearest community is Amaganssett. Available species include striped bass, weakfish, Atlantic mackerel and flounder. Parking is on town property only; a permit may be required. Refuge waters include Atlantic Ocean access, 1/4-mile shoreline. Fishing season is year-round.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge

Administered by Wertheim NWR, Box 21, Shirley, NY 11967-0021; (631) 286-0485; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=52566. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 27. Nearest community is Sag Harbor. Refuge waters include Noyack Bay and Little Peconic Bay with 2 miles of shoreline. Fishing season is year-round. Available species include striped bass, weakfish, Atlantic mackerel, flounder, bluefish, tautog, ling, eel and blowfish. Trails are closed April 1-mid-August. Portions of beach are closed April 1-mid-August.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 517, Alabama, NY 14003-0517; (585) 948-5445. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Good access roads. Refuge is open during daylight hours, year-round with some seasonal access restrictions. Nearest highways are Hwys. 63, 77 and I-90. Nearest communities are Medina and Batavia. Available species include northern pike, bluegill, pumpkinseed, yellow perch, white perch, brown bullhead and carp. Ice fishing is permitted. For more information, visit http://iroquiosnwr.fws.gov/.

Amenities: Food nearby* / Lodging nearby** / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / No motors for boating

*10+ miles. **30+ miles.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

3395 Rte. 5/20 E., Seneca Falls, NY 13148-9778; (315) 568-5987; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=52550. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset, daily. Good access roads. Nearest main highways are Hwy. 5/20, 89 and New York Throughway. Nearest community is Seneca Falls. Refuge waters include Clyde River, Cayuga Seneca Range Canal and New York State Barge Canal. Fishing season is year-round. Available species include largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, yellow perch, catfish and northern pike. No boating is allowed on refuge pools.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching* / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

*Nearby.

Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Administered by Wertheim NWR, PO. Box 21, Shirley, NY 11967-0021; (631) 286-0485; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=52563. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is Long Island Expressway. Nearest community is Oyster Bay. Available species include striped bass, weakfish, Atlantic mackerel, flounder, bluefish and spotted seatrout. Refuge waters include Oyster Bay (3,072 acres). Fishing season is year-round.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Boat launching / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

St. Lawrence Wetland Management District

1490 Boland Rd., Richville, NY 13681; (315) 287-9093; http://library.fws.gov/Refuges/St_Lawrence.pdf. There are no office hours. Fishing opportunities are limited to special sponsored events. Species available are bullhead and bass.

Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge

Administered by Wertheim NWR, P.O. Box 21, Shirley, NY 11967-0021; (631) 286-0485; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=52568. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Good across roads. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 110. Nearest community is Huntington. Fishing season is year-round. Available species include striped bass, weakfish, blackfish, Atlantic mackerel and flounder.

Amenities: Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center*

*At state park kiosk.

Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 21. Shirley, NY 11967-0021; (631) 286-0485; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=52561. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Good access roads. Nearest main highways are Hwys. 27, 46 and 80. Nearest community is Shirley. Available species include striped bass, weakfish, brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, carp, largemouth bass and white perch. Fishing from the riverbank is permitted year-round between the Sunrise and Montauk highways and the end of Beaver Dam Road. Fishing from a boat is permitted anywhere except on Big Fish Creek Pond.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Primitive camping* / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching* / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

*Nearby.

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Pennsylvania

Erie National Wildlife Refuge

11296 Wood Duck Lane, Guys Mills, PA 16327-9499; (814) 789-3585; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=52520. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge areas are open for fishing half-hour before sunrise to half-hour after sunset. Good access roads to most waters, foot travel to others. Nearest main highways are Hwys. 27, 173 and 408. Nearest community is Guys Mills. Refuge waters include Hanks Road (1-acre pond and stream access), Pool 9 (some bank fishing and non-powered-boat fishing), Meyers Small Ponds (15 acres), Pool K (10 acres with access for disabled anglers) and Reitz Pond (5 acres). Fishing season is in accordance with state regulations. Available species include rainbow, brook and brown trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, bluegill, sunfish, carp, crappie and bullhead.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center / Disabled angler facilities / No motors for boating

John Heinz at Tinicum National Wildlife Refuge

8601 Lindbergh Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19153; (215) 365-3118. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset daily. Visitor Center hours, 8:30 am-4:00 pm, daily, except federal holidays. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is 1-95. Nearest community is Philadelphia. Refuge waters include a 145-acre man-made impoundment, 16-acre pond, 5-acre pond and Darby Creek, with approximately 7 stream miles. Fishing season is year-round. Available species include largemouth bass, striped bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, channel catfish, shad, carp, bullhead and tiger muskie. Fishing pier is located at west end of refuge off Hwy. 420. Catch and release is encouraged. Visit http://heinz.fws.gov/ for directions and further information.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby* / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching** / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

*Nearby. **Canoe and kayak only.

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Rhode Island

Block Island National Wildlife Refuge

Administered by Rhode Island NWR Complex, P.O. Box 307, Charlestown, RI 02813-0307; (401) 364-9124; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53541. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Nearest community is Block Island. Fishing season is year-round in accordance with state regulations. While a variety of surf fish can be caught, including scup, bluefish and tautog, striped bass are the most frequently sought-after species.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Canoeing and kayaking

Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge

Administered by Rhode Island NWR Complex, P.O. Box 307, Charlestown, RI 02813-0307; (401) 364-9124; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53543. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Twenty-four hour access for fishing. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 1. Nearest community is Middletown. Available species include striped bass, bluefish, tautog and scup.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge

Administered by the Rhode Island NWR Complex, P.O. Box 307, Charlestown, RI 02813-0307; (401) 364-9124; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53545. Office hours, 7:30 am-4:00 pm, Monday- Friday. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Good access road. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 1. Nearest community is Green Hill Beach. Fishing season is September 16-March 31. Available species include striped bass, bluefish, tautog and scup.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking* / Information center

*Ocean kayaking only.

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Vermont

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge

29 Tabor Rd., Swanton. VT 05488; (802) 868-4781; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=53520. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open dawn to dusk. Good access roads. Nearest main highway is State Hwy. Route 78. Nearest community is Swanton. Fishing is permitted year-round on most of the refuge; however, some areas are closed all year or seasonally to prevent impact to wildlife. A great variety of fish abound in the waters in and surrounding Missisquoi. Walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, bullhead and white and yellow perch are the most sought-after species on the delta. Other species include burbot, carp, catfish, bowfin, white and red sucker, American eel, chain pickerel, muskellunge, sheepshead, crappie, gar, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass and rock bass.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Bait & tackle nearby* / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

*Nearby.

Nulhegan Basin Division, managed as part of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge

5360 Vermont Rte. 105, Brunswick, VT 05905; (802) 962-5240 or (877) 811-5222. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm. Refuge is open sunrise to sunset. Nearest highway is VT Rte. 105. Nearest communities are Island Pond and Bloomfield. The primary fishing opportunity is fly or bait fishing for brook trout in the Nulhegan River and its North and Black branches, and in 68-acre Lewis Pond (outboard motors are not permitted). All refuge waters are open for fishing (according to state seasons). A primitive boat launch is available at the southeast corner of Lewis Pond, and 40 miles of gravel roads are available for licensed motor vehicular travel from Memorial Day weekend through mid-December.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Maps available / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / No motors for boating

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Virginia

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

4005 Sandpiper Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23456; (757) 721-2412; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=51510. Office hours November 1-March 31, 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Sunday-Friday. Office hours April 1-October 31, 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday; 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Saturday- Sunday. Refuge is open dawn to dusk. Nearest highways are 149 and 615. Nearest community is Virginia Beach. Fishing season is in accordance with state regulations. The refuge offers freshwater fishing in Back Bay and at D-Pool Impoundment, with largemouth bass, chain pickerel, perch, catfish and bluegill common. Ocean fishing is for flounder, striped bass, bluefish and all other common ocean fish, as seasons dictate. Because Back Bay and the refuge oceanfront are approximately 100 yards apart, anglers can bring both salt- and freshwater bait and tackle and try both in the same day. The refuge's facilities are D-Pool Impoundment, with universal access parking and fishing pier, approximately 3 miles of the refuge oceanfront, and the bulkhead adjacent to the refuge headquarters. D-Pool is catch and release on all game fish. For non-game species, the creel limit is 10. No live minnow bait is allowed. Barbless or flattened hooks are required for all fishing at D-Pool.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Primitive camping* / Bait & tackle nearby* / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching** / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center / Disabled angler facilities

*Nearby. **Cart-top craft only.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 62, Chincoteague, VA 23336-0062; (757) 336-6122; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=51570. Visitor Center hours are 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Refuge is open, 5:00 am-10:00 pm, May- September; 6:00 am-8:00 pm, April-October; 6:00 am-6:00 pm, November-March. Good and fair access roads. Nearest main highway is U.S. 13. Nearest community is Chincoteague. Refuge waters include Swan Cove Impoundment (409 acres, edge fishing only), and access to bay/estuary, Assateague Channel and Toms Cove (1,500 acres). Surf fishing is allowed along 2 miles of beach March-August and along 4 1/2 miles of beach September- November. Saltwater species include bluefish, spotted seatrout, flounder, red drum, croaker, weakfish, spot, blue crab, bluefish, channel bass and black drum.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Primitive camping / Bait & tackle nearby / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

5003 Hallett Circle, Cape Charles, VA 23310; (757) 331-2760; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=51650. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open dawn to dusk daily. The refuge is located on the southern tip of the Delmarva Peninsula. Nearest highway is U.S. 13. Nearest community is Kiptopeke. Refuge offers saltwater fishing at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and between the barrier islands. Access is by boat, canoe or kayak. Available species include striped bass in winter and flounder and drum in spring. The refuge's facilities are a county boat ramp for small craft, canoes or kayaks along the southern edge of the refuge, and a large multipurpose ramp at the neighboring state park 3 miles from the refuge.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Primitive camping* / Bait & tackle nearby* / Maps available / Public rest facilities / Boat launching* / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking / Information center

*Nearby.

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 349, Suffolk, VA 23434-0349; (804) 986-37O5; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=51580. Office hours, 7:00 am-3:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Refuge is open dawn to dusk. Nearest main highway is Hwy. 32. Nearest community is Suffolk. Refuge waters include Lake Drummond (approximately 3,100 acres, average depth of 4-6 feet). Fishing season is April 1-June 15. Available species include largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish and catfish. Vehicle access through the refuge to Lake Drummond is authorized for April 1-June 15. A special-use permit is required and may be obtained through the refuge office.

Amenities: Boat launching / Hiking and nature trails / Canoeing and kayaking

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West Virginia

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

3004 7th St., Parkersburg, WV 26101; (304) 422-0752; http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=51660. Office hours, 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Nearest highway is I-77. Nearest community is Parkersburg. Refuge islands are open from 1 hour before sunrise until 1 hour after sunset, daily. Refuge islands are dispersed throughout 362 miles of the Ohio River. Boat-launching facilities are located within several miles of each island. Available species include smallmouth and largemouth bass, sauger, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, among others. The refuge permits fishing from shore on all islands during open hours. Anglers may also fish at night from boats around refuge islands.

Amenities: Food nearby / Lodging nearby / Public rest facilities / Hiking and nature trails / Information center

Last updated: October 7, 2008
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