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Public hunting · Forest Preserve unit
What hunters need to know about Lake Champlain Islands Complex
Rules, WMU 5G season dates, maps and neighbors for a forest preserve unit in Essex County.
Photo: Shiva Shenoy (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Lake Champlain Islands Complex
What Lake Champlain Islands Complex is
Lake Champlain Islands Complex is a Forest Preserve complex or unit in Essex County. It is a Region 5 property, in the eastern Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. Size: 171 acres (DEC Lands layer ACRES). 10 others of the 11 Forest Preserve units are larger. DEC's own page says 1,162 acres. Management direction comes from the Lake Champlain Islands unit plan.
From the DEC page for Lake Champlain Islands Complex: Hunting is allowed on all of the islands. Hunters may use the parking areas and trails used by hikers; the hand launches used by paddlers and the boat launches used by boaters to access the lands and waters. Valcour Island and Schuyler Island both have resident white-tailed deer populations. Deer hunting is encouraged on the islands to protect native vegetation from over browsing.
Check note: Acreage conflict: DEC page text says 1,162 acres; DEC Lands layer 171 acres (layer value used; the page may describe a larger complex or an older boundary).
From DEC lake champlain islands complex; acreage DEC Lands layer ACRES (sum of the matched facility polygons); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Lake Champlain Islands Complex
Lake Champlain Islands Complex hunting rules for 2026-27
Forest Preserve land such as Lake Champlain Islands Complex follows 6 NYCRR Part 190:
- Hunting and trapping are allowed on Lake Champlain Islands Complex during open seasons unless an area is posted.
- On Lake Champlain Islands Complex a saw, a nail or a screw-in step all break the Part 190 rules.
- Tents go 150 feet or more from any road, trail or water, except at designated sites.
Statewide rules that follow you onto Lake Champlain Islands Complex
- In firearm deer and bear seasons, wear the required orange or pink above the waist.
- Setbacks from occupied buildings: firearm 500 feet, crossbow 250 feet, bow 150 feet.
- Do not hunt over bait; New York bans it for big game, turkey, upland birds and waterfowl.
- Sunday hunting is legal everywhere in New York unless a property rule says otherwise.
From DEC lake champlain islands complex, DEC state land use rules, DEC Places to Hunt, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
What is open on Lake Champlain Islands Complex, and when
This calendar is cut down to Lake Champlain Islands Complex: its WMU (5G), duck zone and goose area decide which of the 2026-27 rows appear.
| Game | Hunt | Unit or zone | From | To | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 5G | Sep 27, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 5G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Muzzleloading | WMU 5G | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 23, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 5G | Oct 24, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 5G | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 5G | Dec 7, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season (Adirondacks) | WMU 5G | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 5G | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 14, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 5G | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 5G | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 5G | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (either sex) | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 20, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe hare | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Split 1 | Lake Champlain Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Split 2 | Lake Champlain Zone | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Scaup | 2-scaup window | Lake Champlain Zone | Dec 8, 2026 | Dec 27, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | September season | Lake Champlain goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain goose area | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 23, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain goose area | Dec 1, 2026 | Jan 4, 2027 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain Zone | Oct 1, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Snow goose | Regular season | Lake Champlain Zone | Feb 26, 2027 | Mar 10, 2027 | |
| Brant | Regular season | Lake Champlain Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Lake Champlain Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 5G | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 5G | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Muskrat | Hunting (Lake Champlain only) | Lake Champlain | Nov 1, 2026 | Apr 15, 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.
Lake Champlain Islands Complex: WMU 5G numbers
Deer, bear and turkey rules here follow WMU 5G, 1,113 square miles in the Northern Zone covering parts of Essex, Warren and Washington. By law no DMPs are issued in 5G, an Adirondack unit. The bear area for 5G is Adirondacks. Fall turkey in 5G: Oct. 1-14.
| WMU | Zone | DMP target | DMP success | Resident odds | Antler rule | Deer weapons | Bear | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5G | Northern | Not authorized by law | NA | – | No | All | Adirondacks | Oct. 1-14 |
Calculated deer take, 5G
In 2022, 5G produced 1,742 deer by DEC's estimate (1,445 in 2016).
| Season | Total take | Bucks 1.5+ |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1,445 | 1,024 |
| 2017 | 1,474 | 1,158 |
| 2018 | 1,724 | 1,242 |
| 2019 | 1,727 | 1,355 |
| 2020 | 1,767 | 1,257 |
| 2021 | 1,487 | 1,149 |
| 2022 | 1,742 | 1,236 |
Bear harvest in 5G for 2025 was 43, or 3.9 per 100 square miles.
The bear objective DEC lists for 5G is to maintain moderate 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.
Lake Champlain Islands Complex game species
Expect white-tailed deer and ducks and geese on Lake Champlain Islands Complex.
White-tailed deer
Oct 24–Dec 6
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Nov 1
Species from DEC lake champlain islands complex; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
Maps and parking around Lake Champlain Islands Complex
DEC lists 5 parking or access points for Lake Champlain Islands Complex.
| Where to park | Link |
|---|---|
| is located on State Route 9: 44.6187, -73.4457 | Get there |
| is located at the end of the Port Douglas Road (County Route 16: 44.4847, -73.4172 | Get there |
| is located off the Willsboro Point Road (County Route 27: 44.4008, -73.3902 | Get there |
| is located on State Route 22: 44.1888, -73.4342 | Get there |
| is located on the southern end of the western shore of Valcour Island: 44.6092, -73.4230 | Get there |
Map in print form: Lake Champlain Islands Complex Map
Parking points and maps from DEC lake champlain islands complex; checked October 27, 2026.
Lake Champlain Islands Complex and the public land around it
10 public places within 40 miles are pinned around Lake Champlain Islands Complex, starting with Wickham Marsh WMA. Combined: 21,625 acres.
| Area | Category | Acreage | WMU | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wickham Marsh | WMA | 716 | 5G | 3.3 mi | northwest |
| Ausable Marsh | WMA | 730 | 5G | 5.4 mi | northwest |
| Valcour Island | Primitive area | 946 | 5A | 8.7 mi | north |
| Imperial Mills Dam | WMA | 7 | 5A | 13 mi | north |
| Macomb | State forest | 1,057 | 5C | 16 mi | northwest |
| Terry Mountain | State forest | 4,814 | 5C | 16 mi | west |
| Split Rock Mountain | Wild forest | 3,542 | 5G | 18 mi | south |
| Burnt Hill | State forest | 1,578 | 5C | 18 mi | northwest |
| Jay Mountain | Wilderness | 7,864 | 5F | 19 mi | southwest |
| Cadyville | State forest | 371 | 5C | 20 mi | northwest |
Points: DEC Lands layer (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Harvest numbers for the towns under Lake Champlain Islands Complex
The 2025 deer take for Essex County was 1,788.
| Year | Deer | Adult males | Adult females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,436 | 1,167 | 252 |
| 2022 | 1,864 | 1,418 | 362 |
| 2023 | 1,559 | 1,302 | 203 |
| 2024 | 1,524 | 1,251 | 247 |
| 2025 | 1,788 | 1,418 | 275 |
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.
Lake Champlain Islands Complex: nearby towns and services
Keeseville sits 5.2 mi from Lake Champlain Islands Complex, the shortest hop to a town.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keeseville | Essex | 5.2 mi | – | 6,712 |
| Willsboro | Essex | 9.4 mi | – | 6,599 |
| Peru | Clinton | 9.5 mi | – | 11,302 |
| Plattsburgh | Clinton | 14 mi | 19,758 | 3,083 |
Open the county guide for Lake Champlain Islands Complex: Essex County.
Lake Champlain Islands Complex: businesses close by
Essex County is home to 20 DEC-licensed guides (see DEC's guide list). DEC licensed guides
Lake Champlain Islands Complex: the nearest DEC offices
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.
Lake Champlain Islands Complex: nearest firing lines
Siberian Rod and Gun Club, 12 miles away, is the nearest range to Lake Champlain Islands Complex; check its access rule before going.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Lake Champlain Islands Complex: first and last legal light
The DEC guide prints sunrise and sunset for Albany only. The times here are worked out for the centre of Lake Champlain Islands Complex and match the Albany table within four minutes.
| Date | Season point | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer, bear | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 6:46 a.m. | 6:46 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 7:16 p.m. | 6:16 a.m. to 6:46 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 6:51 a.m. | 6:38 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 7:08 p.m. | 6:21 a.m. to 6:38 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:20 a.m. | 5:59 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:29 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 5:59 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 6:58 a.m. | 4:25 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 4:25 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:22 a.m. | 4:17 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 4:17 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:30 a.m. | 4:26 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. | 7:00 a.m. to 4:26 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 5:48 a.m. | 7:57 p.m. | 5:18 a.m. to 8:27 p.m. | 5:18 a.m. to 7:57 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.
Lake Champlain Islands Complex in pictures
Lake Champlain Islands Complex questions, answered from the record
How far is Lake Champlain Islands Complex from a town?
Keeseville is 5.2 mi away.
Can I leave a tree stand on Lake Champlain Islands Complex?
Yes, a portable one that harms no tree, labeled with your name and address or license or DEC ID, removed at season end.
Is Lake Champlain Islands Complex open to public hunting?
It is public DEC land: carry your hunting license and follow the season dates.
What does Lake Champlain Islands Complex measure?
The record lists 171 acres.
What zone and WMU is Lake Champlain Islands Complex?
The DEC WMU layer gives 5G (Northern Zone).
When does the regular deer season open on Lake Champlain Islands Complex?
Oct 24 to Dec 6, 2026 for the regular Season in WMU 5G.
What is the bowhunting window on Lake Champlain Islands Complex?
Archery runs Sep 27 to Oct 23, 2026 to start.
Does Lake Champlain Islands Complex have Deer Management Permits?
No DMPs exist for 5G.
What species go with Lake Champlain Islands Complex?
Named game: white-tailed deer and ducks and geese.
When does turkey season open on Lake Champlain Islands Complex?
Yes: May 1 to May 31, 2027, mornings only.
What are the bear dates for Lake Champlain Islands Complex?
WMU 5G is open for bears Sep 19 to Dec 6, 2026.
Can I hunt ducks on Lake Champlain Islands Complex?
Duck split one runs Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026 (Lake Champlain Zone).
Lake Champlain Islands Complex: what to double-check
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted areas on Lake Champlain Islands Complex.
Sources: DEC lake champlain islands complex · DEC · DEC GIS · DEC; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Headquarters (CC BY 2.0); Frank.Vassen (CC BY 2.0); Adventure George (CC BY-SA 2.0); Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0).