Towns: Lee, Tyringham
Acreage: 425
Wildlife Management Zone: 3
Description
This property consists mostly of habitat that is seasonally flooded meadowland with attendant alder and willow shrub swamps. The northwestern portion of the area supports a seasonally flooded wooded swamp along the Housatonic River floodplain.
Location, access, & parking
Parking areas are located on Meadow Street and Fernside Road in Lee. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Habitat management
Fields off of Meadow Street are maintained for pheasant cover.
Learn more about MassWildlife’s habitat management activities.
Hunting & fishing opportunities
Hop Brook WMA is a pheasant-stocked area. It is also excellent waterfowl habitat. Hop Brook provides fishing opportunities for native brook trout and reproducing brown trout in addition to stocked trout species. The Housatonic River provides fishing opportunities for species such as black crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, chain pickerel, carp, sunfish, and bullheads as well as native brook trout, reproducing brown trout and stocked trout species. Go to mass.gov/trout for more information. However, please see special regulations.
Wildlife viewing & other features
The marshes along Hop Brook support many uncommon wetland species, including marsh birds, butterflies, and sedges.
Regulations
During the pheasant season, a “hunter orange” hat is required for all hunters except while night-hunting raccoons or opossums or while hunting waterfowl from within a blind or boat. No person shall hunt before sunrise or after sunset during the open season on pheasant except for the hunting of raccoons or opossums between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. Anglers should note that, due to PCB contamination, a Public Health Advisory has been issued on the consumption of fish from this portion of the Housatonic River.
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.