Parking & Access: Eightmile River Wildlife Management Area
The lot is off Salem Road in Lyme. No roadside parking; do not block the gates.
Hunting on this area
| Deer | Archery, firearms, muzzleloader |
|---|---|
| Turkey | Spring and fall: archery, firearms |
| Small game | Open |
| Waterfowl | Open |
| Pheasants stocked | No |
Zones within 500-foot boundaries marked on the DEEP map are closed to firearms hunting.
No hunting in the Wagner Wildlife Sanctuary section of the property.
Fluorescent orange is required for most hunting, and CT DEEP recommends an orange vest or hat for every visitor to state land during the hunting season. No Sunday hunting on state and public lands.
Sources: CT DEEP Wildlife Division hunting and access data, DEEP hunting area map (PDF, June 2025), 2026 Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide (season dates), CT DEEP fall 2026 season notice (verified October 2026). Rules and seasons change — confirm before you go.
🌤 Weather at Eightmile River Wildlife Management Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29–70 °F | 58–84 °F | 34–76 °F | 21–43 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Norwich Public Utility Plt, 14 mi away, elevation 20 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🎣 Wild and Scenic river — 311-acre DEEP wildlife management area on the East Branch of the Eightmile River in East Haddam and Lyme
Eightmile River Wildlife Management Area is a property of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on the East Branch of the Eightmile River in East Haddam and Lyme, in southeastern Connecticut. DEEP’s hunting map describes it as 311 acres of mixed hardwoods, wetlands and a reverting old agricultural field, open to small game, waterfowl, turkey and deer hunting. DEEP’s map puts the parking area off Salem Road in Lyme, and DEEP stocks the river here with trout. The East Branch at the wildlife area is part of the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River, designated by Congress in 2008.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Parking area off Salem Road in Lyme; the wildlife area lies in East Haddam and Lyme, CT |
| Size | 311 acres (DEEP hunting map and mapped boundary, as of October 2026) |
| Entry Fee | No entrance fee is listed by DEEP (as of October 2026) |
| Type | State wildlife management area (hardwood forest, wetlands, old field) |
| River | East Branch Eightmile River, part of the Eightmile Wild and Scenic River (2008) |
| Hunting | Small game, waterfowl, turkey and deer; none in Wagner Wildlife Sanctuary |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fish at Eightmile River WMA?
Yes, with a Connecticut fishing license. DEEP stocks the East Branch of the Eightmile River with trout through Salem, East Haddam and Lyme and recorded the latest stocking on April 23, 2026; Wagner Pond on the property is also on DEEP’s stocking list.
What does Wild and Scenic mean here?
In 2008 Congress added about 25.3 miles of the Eightmile River and its tributaries to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System (Public Law 110-229, section 344), including an 8-mile stretch of the East Branch from Witch Meadow Road down to the main stem, which takes in the river at the wildlife area. The river is managed under a watershed plan endorsed by the towns of Salem, East Haddam and Lyme and is not administered as part of the National Park System.
Is hunting allowed at Eightmile River WMA?
Yes. DEEP’s hunting data (as of October 2026) list the wildlife area for small game, waterfowl, turkey in spring and fall (archery and firearms) and deer, including archery and muzzleloader seasons, but no hunting is allowed in the Wagner Wildlife Sanctuary section. Check licenses and season dates at CT Outdoor Licenses and the DEEP hunting area map before you go.
About Eightmile River WMA
DEEP’s property data map 311 acres for the wildlife area. The small Wagner Wildlife Sanctuary, another 10 acres of DEEP land, adjoins it and is closed to hunting. The East Branch of the Eightmile River runs through the property, and the wildlife area lies inside the Lyme Block, a state-priority Important Bird Area recognized by Audubon.
Things to Do
Fishing: stocked trout in the East Branch of the Eightmile River. Hunting: small game, waterfowl, turkey and deer in season, outside the Wagner Wildlife Sanctuary. Walking and birdwatching: hardwood forest, wetlands and an old field along a Wild and Scenic river.
Insider Tips
Parking: DEEP’s map shows one parking area off Salem Road; there is no roadside parking, and DEEP asks you not to block the gates. Hunting seasons: consider blaze orange if you walk here in fall. Fresh trout: DEEP publishes its stocking dates, so check them before a spring trip.
Best Time to Visit
Spring: trout stocking on the East Branch. Fall: hunting seasons, so check current dates with DEEP before you go.
Wildlife & Nature
DEEP’s hunting map describes the wildlife area as mixed hardwoods, wetlands and a reverting old agricultural field. Congress listed the river’s cultural landscape, water quality, watershed hydrology, unique species and natural communities, geology and watershed ecosystem as its outstanding values when it designated the Eightmile in 2008. The area lies inside Audubon’s Lyme Block Important Bird Area.
Nearby Attractions
Devil’s Hopyard State Park and Nehantic State Forest both lie a little over a mile from the wildlife area’s boundary. Becket Hill State Park Reserve is about 5 miles away and Gillette Castle State Park on the Connecticut River about 6 miles (straight line). Source: Connecticut DEEP property data, checked October 2026.
Nearby parks: If you have extra time, Selden Neck State Park is a short drive away, and Nehantic State Forest is a short drive away.
🎣 Visit Eightmile River WMA
311 acres on a Wild and Scenic river. Parking off Salem Road.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Eightmile River Wildlife Management Area
Park policy: This is a state wildlife management area, not a state park, so Connecticut's state park pet rules do not apply here. Connecticut's rules for state wildlife management areas (RCSA § 26-16-3a) require dogs to be on a leash no longer than 7 feet, held at all times by the person responsible, and under control (as of October 2026).
- Pets allowed?
- Yes, on a leash no longer than 7 feet that the person responsible holds at all times
- Park-specific rules
- Dogs that are hunting or being trained for hunting are exempt from the leash rule. DEEP can close any area or time period to all dogs by posting signs.
Are dogs allowed at Eightmile River Wildlife Management Area?
Yes, on a leash no longer than 7 feet that the person responsible holds at all times.
More: Connecticut state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
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