Towns: Colrain, Greenfield, Leyden
Acreage: 382
Wildlife Management Zone: 4N
Description
This WMA consists of 5 separate parcels along Green River Road. They provide access for both hunting and fishing opportunities. The primary habitat types are upland forest consisting of mature transition hardwoods (oak, maple, beech) and white pine. There are about 30 acres of early successional habitat of primarily old fields and shrublands which can be found on the west side of the parcel abutting West Leyden Road.
Location, access, & parking
The property can be accessed from Green River Road and West Leyden Road in Colrain and River Road in Leyden. A dirt parking area for 4-6 vehicles is located on the west side of Green River Road approximately 1 mile south of where it meets West Leyden Road. Parking areas are not maintained in winter. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Habitat management
Approximately 30 acres of old field habitat is managed on the parcel off of West Leyden Road. Clusters of apple trees were released to provide food for wildlife. Mowing is repeated once every 3-5 years to maintain old field habitat and surrounding shrublands.
Hunting opportunities
The best hunting opportunities on this WMA are for white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, and gray squirrel. Other hunting opportunities exist for eastern coyote and raccoon.
Fishing opportunities
The area includes the Green River, Workman Brook, and Strafford Brook. The Green River provides fishing opportunities for native brook trout, reproducing brown trout, stocked trout, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. Multiple pull-offs exist off of Green River Road for fishing access. Workman Brook provides fishing opportunities for native brook trout. For more information on trout stocking go to mass.gov/trout.
Wildlife viewing & other features
The Green River, named as such for its translucent emerald-like water, is a spectacular coldwater stream that is popular with swimmers in the summer. Green River WMA provides habitat for two rare dragonflies, including the ocellated darner, which flies low over the water in late summer and fall.
Regulations
About Wildlife Management Areas
MassWildlife owns and manages over 220,000 acres of land to conserve fish and wildlife habitats and provide access for outdoor recreation. All WMAs are open to hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation activities. Visit the MassWildlife Lands Viewer for an interactive map of MassWildlife properties.
You can support land protection in Massachusetts. Contributions to the Wildlands Fund help pay for the cost of acquiring wildlife habitat. Learn more about the Wildlands Fund.