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WMA · Region 9
Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area: a hunter's guide for 2026-27
A 2026-27 hunter guide to this wma in Erie County, 527 acres.
Photo: JimsFlicker (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.4 mi from the centreDirections
- TrailheadTrailhead · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Where Clear Lake WMA is and who runs it
Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area sits in Erie County, filed as a DEC wildlife management area. Its towns are North Collins and Collins. Region 9 of DEC covers it, along with the rest of western New York. 527 acres are on record from DEC Lands layer ACRES. Sorted by acreage, the 119 WMAs put it 65th.
The property page says: Hunting is allowed on Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area.
From DEC clear lake wildlife management area; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area
Clear Lake WMA pinned with nearby tracts
The nearest public land to Clear Lake WMA is Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area and Unique Area, 8.3 mi away to the south. Combined: 12,854 acres.
| Public land | Type | Acres | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zoar Valley Multiple Use | Multiple use area | 2,979 | 9H, 9M | 8.3 mi | south |
| East Otto | State forest | 2,082 | 9H, 9M | 9.0 mi | south |
| Hampton Brook Woods | WMA | 78 | 9H | 10 mi | north |
| Evangola | State park | 743 | 9G | 13 mi | west |
| Cattaraugus | State forest | 1,061 | 9M | 17 mi | south |
| Knox Farm | State park | 667 | 9F | 18 mi | northeast |
| Poverty Hill | WMA | 971 | 9M | 19 mi | southeast |
| Dobbins | State forest | 1,104 | 9M | 20 mi | south |
| Boyce Hill | State forest | 979 | 9M | 23 mi | southeast |
| Canadaway Creek | WMA | 2,190 | 9K | 23 mi | southwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Clear Lake WMA regulations, plainly
Part 51 of 6 NYCRR lays out what is allowed on Clear Lake WMA:
- Target shooting on Clear Lake WMA is banned unless a posted range allows it.
- Written permission from DEC comes before any camp.
- Vehicles leave the roads only where a permit or posting allows.
- No cutting vegetation and no permanent structures, blinds, stands or hardware in trees.
- Only labeled stands (name and address or DEC ID) may stay on Clear Lake WMA overnight, and they come out at season end; other gear leaves with you.
- Signs reading "No Trespassing" close those parts without written permission.
- Overnight mooring is banned and fires serve only cooking or warmth.
More from the source: Fee: None.
State law reminders for Clear Lake WMA
- Fluorescent orange or pink (250 square inches above the waist, or a hat at least half orange or pink) is required for anyone hunting deer or bear with a gun.
- Firearms may not be discharged within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling, farm building, school, playground or church without permission; bows 150 feet, crossbows 250 feet.
- No baiting for big game, upland birds, turkey or waterfowl, and no salt or mineral licks for deer or bear.
- New York allows hunting on Sundays in every county.
From DEC clear lake wildlife management area, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 9H facts for Clear Lake WMA
The WMU map puts Clear Lake WMA in 9H; 9H spans 973 square miles of Wyoming, Erie and Genesee. DEC set a 2026 target of 21,800 Deer Management Permits for 9H; average DMP success there runs 17.3%, and a resident's first DMP chance is rated high. Southern Zone bear rules cover 9H. The fall turkey window for 9H is Oct. 17-30.
| WMU | Deer zone | DMP goal | Success rate | Odds (resident) | APR | Implements | Bear | Turkey (fall) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9H | Southern | 21,800 | 17.3% | high | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
Deer take in WMU 9H
9H yielded 7,951 deer in 2022; the WMU tables stop at 2022.
| Year | Total | Adult bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 9,769 | 4,073 |
| 2017 | 8,627 | 3,861 |
| 2018 | 9,512 | 3,981 |
| 2019 | 9,156 | 4,107 |
| 2020 | 10,042 | 3,726 |
| 2021 | 7,753 | 3,480 |
| 2022 | 7,951 | 3,391 |
The 2025 bear harvest in 9H came to 4.
DEC's bear plan for 9H reads "Maintain low bear density".
WMU facts from the 2026 DMP table, the 2026-27 DEC guide, DEC deer take reports and the DEC bear harvest dashboard; WMU from the DEC WMU layer; checked October 27, 2026.
Every season window on Clear Lake WMA
31 species have open dates on Clear Lake WMA this license year; the table holds 46 rows and a live open-or-closed column.
| Quarry | Season | Covers | Starts | Ends | Open? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9H | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 9H | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 9H | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9H | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9H | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 9H | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 9H | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 9H | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 9H | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 9H | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 9H | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 9H | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 9H | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 9H | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 9H | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 9H | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 9H | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 9H | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 9H | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 9H | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 9H | Jan 1, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9H | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9H | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 9H | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Western Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Western Zone | Dec 5, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Western Zone | Dec 22, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | September season | South goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | South goose area | Oct 24, 2026 | Jan 11, 2027 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Western Zone | Nov 24, 2026 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Western Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Western Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Veteran waterfowl | Veteran days | Western Zone | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | WMU 9H | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 9H | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 9H | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 9H | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 9H | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 9H | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 9H | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 9H | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 9H | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 9H | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 9H | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Mink | Hunting (Southern Zone only) | Southern Zone | Nov 10, 2026 | Apr 7, 2027 | |
| Snapping turtle | Hunting | Statewide | Jul 15, 2026 | Sep 30, 2026 |
Season rows from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide, matched to the DEC WMU, duck zone and goose area layers; checked October 27, 2026. All New York seasons.
Stocked pheasants at Clear Lake WMA
Clear Lake WMA is on the 2026 DEC pheasant stocking list with 394 birds over 5 stockings.
| Release site | Access | Town | Field acres | Stocking | Releases | Birds 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Lake WMA | Public – special rules | North Collins | 60 | Youth, regular | 5 | 394 |
| Week of | Birds |
|---|---|
| 10/05 | 88 |
| 10/12 | 88 |
| 10/19 | 80 |
| 10/26 | 80 |
| 11/02 | 58 |
Release site rule: Closed to pheasant hunting on Thursdays in October and November.
DEC pheasant hunting and the 2026 DEC pheasant properties layer; checked October 27, 2026. All pheasant release sites.
Clear Lake WMA game species
The source names ring-necked pheasant on Clear Lake WMA.
Ring-necked pheasant
Oct 17–Feb 28
Species from DEC clear lake wildlife management area; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Getting into Clear Lake WMA: parking and maps
Map download: Clear Lake WMA Map · DECinfo Locator
Parking points and maps from DEC clear lake wildlife management area; checked October 27, 2026.
Clear Lake WMA: town and county harvest
DEC's last take-by-town table (2019) credits the town of North Collins with 300 deer, 128 of them adult bucks.
| Town | County | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | Bucks 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Collins | Erie | 237 | 163 | 240 | 326 | 300 | 128 |
| Collins | Erie | 459 | 440 | 441 | 441 | 392 | 190 |
Erie County deer, 2025: 6,401.
| Year | County deer | Adult bucks | Adult does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,742 | 2,495 | 2,565 |
| 2022 | 6,182 | 2,583 | 2,655 |
| 2023 | 5,742 | 2,809 | 2,134 |
| 2024 | 6,327 | 3,171 | 2,376 |
| 2025 | 6,401 | 3,256 | 2,546 |
DEC deer take by town and county (towns 2007-2019), county deer take 2021-2025 and DEC bear take by town; checked October 27, 2026.
Clear Lake WMA hunting-hour table
Sun times below are calculated for Clear Lake WMA; the game column adds the big game half hour and the bird column stops at sunset.
| Date | Moment | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer and bear | Waterfowl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 7:06 a.m. | 7:06 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 7:36 p.m. | 6:36 a.m. to 7:06 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:11 a.m. | 6:59 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 7:29 p.m. | 6:41 a.m. to 6:59 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:38 a.m. | 6:21 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 6:51 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 6:21 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:14 a.m. | 4:49 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 5:19 p.m. | 6:44 a.m. to 4:49 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:38 a.m. | 4:42 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:12 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:45 a.m. | 4:51 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:11 a.m. | 8:14 p.m. | 5:41 a.m. to 8:44 p.m. | 5:41 a.m. to 8:14 p.m. |
Hours rule from the DEC guide sunrise and sunset page; sun times calculated for the county centre (NOAA method), checked against the guide’s Albany table; checked October 27, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Clear Lake WMA: nearby towns and services
Gowanda is the nearest town with its own page, 8.0 mi from Clear Lake WMA.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gowanda | Cattaraugus | 8.0 mi | 2,474 | 5,528 |
| Little Valley | Cattaraugus | 22 mi | 1,073 | 12,080 |
| Ellicottville | Cattaraugus | 22 mi | 282 | 17,011 |
| Cherry Creek | Chautauqua | 22 mi | – | 9,295 |
Clear Lake WMA falls inside these county guides: Erie County.
Clear Lake WMA: businesses close by
9 licensed guides are registered in Erie County, per DEC. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Clear Lake WMA
Towns and populations from Census 2024 estimates; businesses from store locators and listings; DEC offices and licensed guide counts from DEC. Checked October 27, 2026.
Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunts, courses and dinners nearby
1 upcoming event here or close by as of October 27, 2026.
Upcoming here
| On | Listing | Away | Venue | Tickets or seats | Read at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2027 | Springville Strutters Banquet · NWTF chapter banquet | 10 | Springville | Get tickets | Source |
Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area: nearest firing lines
Nearest range to Clear Lake Wildlife Management Area: Eden-North Collins Gun Club, roughly 5 miles. DEC has no firearm range, and no local public range is close.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Clear Lake WMA in pictures
Clear Lake WMA: short answers
How does access work on Clear Lake WMA?
No special permit is listed; a valid license and the open seasons are what count.
What does Clear Lake WMA measure?
About 527 acres by the source used here.
Which WMU rules apply on Clear Lake WMA?
WMU 9H, in the Southern Zone.
When does the main deer season run on Clear Lake WMA?
WMU 9H: regular Season Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
When can I bowhunt deer on Clear Lake WMA?
Bowhunting opens Oct 1, 2026 (WMU 9H).
What are the DMP odds near Clear Lake WMA?
Resident first-permit odds in 9H are high; the target is 21,800.
What game is found on Clear Lake WMA?
Ring-necked pheasant top the list.
How long is spring turkey on Clear Lake WMA?
May 1 to May 31, 2027, with shooting until noon.
When does bear hunting open near Clear Lake WMA?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
Can I hunt stocked pheasants on Clear Lake WMA?
Yes; DEC stocks it (394 birds this year).
Which town page is closest to Clear Lake WMA?
Gowanda, about 8.0 mi away.
What are the stand rules on Clear Lake WMA?
No permanent stands or screw-in steps; a labeled portable stand may stay during the season.
Clear Lake WMA: what to double-check
After a deer, bear or turkey on Clear Lake WMA, report it: paper tags within 48 hours, e-tags right away in HuntFishNY.
Sources: DEC clear lake wildlife management area · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC · DEC GIS; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: z2amiller (CC BY-SA 2.0); fishhawk (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0); andyarthur (CC BY 2.0).