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State park · the western Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley
Hunting Lakeside State Park
Seasons and access for hunting in Orleans County: ducks and geese.
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Lakeside State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Lakeside State Park
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 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.
Lakeside State Park: size, towns and manager
Listed as a state park with a hunting program, Lakeside State Park lies in Orleans County. The DEC region is Region 8 (the western Finger Lakes and Genesee Valley). The NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is in charge of access. It measures 706 acres, per NY State Parks Property layer. Size rank: 51st of 83 state parks.
Source note: Acreage conflict: NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre) 706 vs computed polygon area 15 acres.
From NYS Parks lakeside state park; acreage NY State Parks Property layer (Total_acre); checked October 27, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Lakeside State Park
Lakeside State Park hunting calendar
Season windows for Lakeside State Park, filtered from the 2026-27 guide by WMU 8A and the Western waterfowl zone.
| Species | Segment | Where | First day | Last day | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | September antlerless | WMU 8A | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth deer weekend | WMU 8A | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Regular Season | WMU 8A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Bowhunting (holidays) | WMU 8A | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Late Muzzleloading (holidays) | WMU 8A | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Early Bowhunting | WMU 8A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 20, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Youth Firearms Bear Hunt | WMU 8A | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 12, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Regular Season | WMU 8A | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Bowhunting | WMU 8A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Late Muzzleloading | WMU 8A | Dec 14, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall Season | WMU 8A | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 30, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Youth Spring Turkey Hunt | WMU 8A | Apr 24, 2027 | Apr 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring Season | WMU 8A | May 1, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth Pheasant Hunt | WMU 8A | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular (cocks only) | WMU 8A | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Ruffed grouse | Hunting | WMU 8A | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Hunting | WMU 8A | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Hunting | WMU 8A | Oct 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Gray squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8A | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Black squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8A | Sep 1, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Fox squirrel | Hunting | WMU 8A | 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 | West Central goose area | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 25, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Regular season | West Central goose area | Nov 7, 2026 | Dec 21, 2026 | |
| 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 8A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Rails | Hunting | WMU 8A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Hunting | WMU 8A | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Hunting | WMU 8A | Sep 1, 2026 | Mar 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting | WMU 8A | Oct 1, 2026 | Mar 28, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | WMU 8A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | WMU 8A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | WMU 8A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | WMU 8A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | WMU 8A | Oct 25, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | WMU 8A | 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.
How you may hunt Lakeside State Park
Park rules for hunters on Lakeside State Park come from 6 NYCRR 372.7(q):
- The park permit decides where, when and with what you may hunt on Lakeside State Park.
- Each permit names its own species, areas, implements and season dates.
- Permanent stands and blinds are banned; portable stands need permit approval and must not hurt the tree.
- Stay out of posted Restricted Areas and report your harvest if the park requests it.
New York rules that apply on Lakeside State Park too
- Firearm deer and bear hunters, and anyone with them, wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange or pink above the waist, or a hat that is at least half orange or pink.
- Mind the 500-foot firearm setback from dwellings and farm buildings near the boundary.
- Bait, salt licks and mineral attractants are illegal for deer and bear, and feeding them is banned year-round.
- Sundays are open statewide; only a site rule can close them.
From NYS Parks lakeside state park, NYS Parks hunting list, 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
How hunting works at Lakeside State Park
Implements by species in the Lakeside State Park hunting areas:
| Species | Implements |
|---|---|
| Waterfowl | All legal |
What NYS Parks notes for Lakeside State Park
- Waterfowl hunting only during the established seasonal period. Contact park office for additional information.
Park page lines on hunting: Waterfowl hunting is permitted in season by permit only. Permits issued directly from the Park Office. Due to a construction project actively occurring in a portion of the designated waterfowl hunting zone at Lakeside State Park, the Park will be closed to Waterfowl hunting until further notice Waterfowl Hunting Only (During established seasonal periods) Hunting area on map is located along the shoreline west of the picnic area. This is along the shoreline only shooting over Lake Ontario. Vehicles must park in picnic parking lot only, not on park service roads. Must have current and proper …
NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer, the park page and DEC’s parks that allow hunting table; checked October 27, 2026.
Parking and maps for Lakeside State Park
Boundary map file: Hunting Map
Parking points and maps from NYS Parks lakeside state park; checked October 27, 2026.
Lakeside State Park game species
1 game group is named for Lakeside State Park; each card shows the main 2026-27 window for its WMU.
Ducks and geese
Oct 10–Nov 1
Species from NYS Parks lakeside state park; dates from the 2026-27 DEC guide; checked October 27, 2026.
WMU 8A rules that reach Lakeside State Park
WMU 8A is the unit that counts for Lakeside State Park: Southern Zone, 419 square miles, in Orleans, Monroe and Niagara. Every applicant gets DMPs in 8A, which is unlimited for 2026. Bear rules in 8A follow the Southern Zone area. 8A fall turkey season: Oct. 17-30.
| Unit | Zone | 2026 DMPs | Avg success | 1st DMP odds | 3-point rule | Deer | Bear area | Fall turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8A | Southern | Unlimited/bonus | 16.8% | 100% | No | All | Southern Zone | Oct. 17-30 |
8A: deer by season
The 8A deer take moved from 3,082 (2016) to 4,260 (2022).
| Year | Deer taken | Bucks |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 3,082 | 1,237 |
| 2017 | 3,331 | 1,341 |
| 2018 | 3,814 | 1,510 |
| 2019 | 3,914 | 1,641 |
| 2020 | 4,390 | 1,659 |
| 2021 | 3,923 | 1,485 |
| 2022 | 4,260 | 1,701 |
8A bear objective: maintain infrequent bear presence.
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.
Lakeside State Park pinned with nearby tracts
Around Lakeside State Park lie 10 more public tracts; Golden Hill State Park is the closest (11 mi). Combined: 27,974 acres.
| Neighbor | Type | Acres | WMU | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Hill | State park | 372 | 9A | 11 mi | west |
| Hartland Swamp | WMA | 402 | 9A | 18 mi | west |
| Iroquois | Wildlife refuge | 10,810 | 8G | 18 mi | southwest |
| Oak Orchard | WMA | 20 | 8G | 18 mi | south |
| Oak Orchard And Tonawanda | WMA | 8,350 | 8G | 21 mi | southwest |
| John White | WMA | 329 | 8G | 21 mi | south |
| Braddock Bay | WMA | 2,865 | 8A, 8C | 30 mi | east |
| Wilson-Tuscarora | State park | 481 | 9A | 31 mi | west |
| Darien Lakes | State park | 1,844 | 8G | 33 mi | south |
| Carlton Hill | Multiple use area | 2,501 | 9H | 38 mi | south |
Points: NY State Parks Hunting Areas layer (hunting-area polygons) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Lakeside State Park: nearby towns and services
Head to Albion, 9.0 mi off, for supplies.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albion | Orleans | 9.0 mi | 5,704 | 648 |
| Medina | Orleans | 12 mi | 5,912 | 19,170 |
| Oakfield | Genesee | 21 mi | 1,790 | 15,307 |
| Hilton | Monroe | 24 mi | 5,975 | 2,877 |
County pages that list Lakeside State Park: Orleans County.
Lakeside State Park: businesses close by
The DEC licensed guide list counts 3 in Orleans County. DEC licensed guides
DEC offices closest to Lakeside State Park
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.
Lakeside State Park: town and county harvest
Across Orleans County, DEC counted 4,494 deer taken in 2025.
| Season | Total | Bucks | Does |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,103 | 1,503 | 2,011 |
| 2022 | 4,503 | 1,745 | 2,008 |
| 2023 | 4,214 | 1,701 | 1,806 |
| 2024 | 4,416 | 1,913 | 1,875 |
| 2025 | 4,494 | 1,911 | 2,087 |
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.
Lakeside State Park: nearest firing lines
Medina Conservation Club is the closest listed range to Lakeside State Park, about 11 miles away; no public range lies within 60 miles.
From DEC, the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 27, 2026.
Lakeside State Park: first and last legal light
Spring turkey hunting ends at noon, fall turkey and upland birds run sunrise to sunset, and big game gets the half hour on each end.
| Day | Hunt | First sun | Last sun | Big game window | Bird window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 27, 2026 | Northern bow opener | 7:04 a.m. | 7:03 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 7:33 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 7:03 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Southern bow opener | 7:09 a.m. | 6:56 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 7:26 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 6:56 p.m. |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Northern regular opener | 7:36 a.m. | 6:17 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. | 7:06 a.m. to 6:17 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Southern regular opener | 7:13 a.m. | 4:45 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. |
| Dec 14, 2026 | Southern late season | 7:37 a.m. | 4:38 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. |
| Jan 1, 2027 | Late season close | 7:45 a.m. | 4:46 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
| May 1, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:07 a.m. | 8:13 p.m. | 5:37 a.m. to 8:43 p.m. | 5:37 a.m. to 8:13 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.
Lakeside State Park in pictures
Lakeside State Park: short answers
What do I need to hunt Lakeside State Park?
Hunting is by NYS Parks permit, limited to designated areas.
Does the orange law apply on Lakeside State Park?
Yes, for big game with a gun.
Which unit sets deer dates for Lakeside State Park?
8A, a Southern Zone unit.
What does Lakeside State Park measure?
706 acres on file.
When does bow season start on Lakeside State Park?
Early Bowhunting: Oct 1 to Nov 20, 2026.
When does the main deer season run on Lakeside State Park?
The regular Season runs Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026.
Is there a spring gobbler season at Lakeside State Park?
It opens May 1, 2027 and ends May 31, 2027.
What species go with Lakeside State Park?
Named game: ducks and geese.
What are the duck dates for Lakeside State Park?
Oct 10 to Nov 1, 2026 for the first split.
Is Lakeside State Park in a bear hunting area?
Nov 21 to Dec 13, 2026 (regular Season).
What does the park permit cover at Lakeside State Park?
Species, implements, hunting areas and dates.
How far is Lakeside State Park from a town?
Albion is 9.0 mi away.
Lakeside State Park: what to double-check
Confirm access and permits for Lakeside State Park before the drive.
Sources: NYS Parks lakeside state park · NYS Parks state parks · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · DEP GIS · NYS Parks StatewideHuntingRegulationsinNYStatePa; regulations from the 2026-27 New York Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide. Checked October 27, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Yellowstone National Park (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).