Towns: Plymouth, Wareham
Acreage: 683
Wildlife Management Zone: 11
Waterfowl Zone: Central
Description
Red Brook WMA consists of a mix of upland and wetland habitats along the Red Brook corridor in the towns of Plymouth and Wareham. The forest is made up of pitch pine, white pine, red and black oak, scrub oak, huckleberry and blueberry, red maple and sweet pepperbush riparian swamp, and open former cranberry agricultural land. Between this WMA and the abutting/downstream Lyman Reserve (owned by the Trustees of Reservations), the entire length of Red Brook, a critically important coldwater stream and herring run, is protected from its headwaters at White Island Pond to Buttermilk Bay.
Location, access, & parking
A large gravel parking area exists on the east side of Barker Road in Wareham at approximately 265 Barker Road, adjacent to the former cranberry bog foreman house and barn (now owned and managed by MassWildlife). There is space for about 20 vehicles. Users can walk into the property and across the former cranberry bog roads to access the WMA. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Habitat management
Ongoing work is being done to restore the former cranberry bogs into natural habitat. Work is also being done to create a new naturalized stream channel for Red Brook through the former bog complex. This channel work also includes efforts to ensure herring passage to and from White Island Pond from Buttermilk Bay.
Hunting opportunities
The Red Brook WMA provides excellent hunting opportunities, particularly for white-tailed deer and wild turkey.
Fishing opportunities
Warmwater fishing opportunities exist in Bartlett Pond at the south end of the former bog complex and at the outlet of White Island Pond north of Barker Road. Red Brook is a coldwater fisheries resource and contains naturally reproducing brook trout populations and is managed as catch and release fishery with only artificial lures allowed
Wildlife viewing & other features
The WMA provides good wildlife viewing opportunities for most common species of wildlife. MassWildlife, in cooperation with The Trustees of Reservations and Trout Unlimited, is conducting an ongoing wild brook trout research project on Red Brook.
Regulations
Red Brook, from the outlet of White Island Pond to the inlet of Buttermilk Bay, is a catch and release only area.
Read Wildlife Management Area 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.