Towns: Bridgewater, Halifax, Middleborough
Acreage: 349
Wildlife Management Zone: 11
Waterfowl Zone: Central
Description
Taunton River WMA consists of a collection of parcels along the Taunton River and a small parcel along the Nemasket River. This area contains a diverse collection of both upland and wetland habitats including mixed upland forest, open fields, and forested, floodplain wetlands. Vernal pools are common within the forested wetlands on the property, and there are several old oxbows and patches of emergent marsh within the area that provide unique wildlife viewing opportunities.
Location, access, & parking
This WMA has multiple access points. The parking area on Auburn Street in Bridgewater has space for six vehicles. Other parcels may be accessed by roadside parking on Cherry Street in Halifax and on both River Street and Plymouth Street in Middleborough. Many of the parcels can also be accessed via canoe or kayak from the Taunton or Nemasket Rivers. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Hunting opportunities
This WMA provides good hunting opportunities for a variety of game species, especially white-tailed deer, wild turkey, eastern coyote, and waterfowl. Gray or red fox, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, and woodcock can also be found here.
Fishing opportunities
Although there are almost 1.5 miles of riverfront in the Taunton River WMA, the steep clay banks along the Taunton River can make shoreline fishing difficult. The Taunton River and Nemasket River in these areas support a large variety of warmwater game fish including largemouth bass, chain pickerel, pumpkinseed, bluegill, black crappie, and brown bullhead. In recent years, both rivers have received some notoriety as locations to target bowfin.
Wildlife viewing & other features
This property was purchased with a primary goal of protecting important habitats along the Taunton River, which is designated as a wild and scenic river, as well as to provide access to the River and surrounding land for wildlife-dependent outdoor recreational opportunities. The diverse habitats on the WMA support a wide array of both common and rare wildlife species. Whether traversing the woods and wetlands by foot, or paddling the river in a canoe/kayak, this property provides exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities.
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.