Parking & Access: Lord’s Cove Wildlife Management Area
Access by boat only.
Hunting on this area
| Deer | Closed |
|---|---|
| Turkey | Closed |
| Small game | Closed |
| Waterfowl | Open |
| Pheasants stocked | No |
In tidal areas a 250-foot firearms restriction applies to waterfowl hunting; the zones are on the map.
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, September 2023), 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 Lord’s Cove Wildlife Management Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32–65 °F | 60–82 °F | 41–74 °F | 25–45 °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 Orient Point State Park, 16 mi away, elevation 3 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🦆 Connecticut River tidal marsh — 168-acre DEEP wildlife management area in Lyme, reached by boat only, open to waterfowl hunting
Lord’s Cove Wildlife Management Area is a property of the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) on the tidal Connecticut River in Lyme, near the river’s mouth. Almost all of it is brackish tidal marsh in Lord Cove. DEEP’s map says the area is reached by boat only and is open to waterfowl hunting only. The cove belongs to the lower Connecticut River tidal marshes that were recognized in 1994 as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Lord Cove on the Connecticut River, Lyme and Old Lyme, New London County, CT |
| Size | 168 acres within DEEP’s mapped boundary; DEEP’s hunting map gives 265 acres for Lords Cove and Nott Island WMAs together (as of October 2026) |
| Entry Fee | No entrance fee is listed by DEEP (as of October 2026) |
| Access | By boat only |
| Hunting | Waterfowl only |
About Lord’s Cove
DEEP’s natural-community data map Lord Cove as brackish intertidal marsh, with narrow-leaved cattail and swamp rose mallow, temporarily flooded common reed grassland and, toward fresher water, wild rice and pickerelweed; a small high-floodplain forest borders it. Lord Creek, Deep Creek and Mack Creek wind through the marsh.
Things to Do
Paddling and birdwatching: the only way in is by boat, so a kayak or canoe on the Connecticut River is the way to see the marsh. Waterfowl hunting: the only hunting DEEP allows here. Fishing: DEEP manages this stretch of the Connecticut River as a Northern Pike Management Area with its own rules.
Wildlife & Nature
DEEP’s waterfowl data note heavy use of Lord Cove during migration by puddle ducks: American black duck, mallard, blue-winged and green-winged teal, plus bufflehead and common merganser. A DEEP newsletter on the Ramsar designation calls waterfowl concentrations on this part of the river, especially of American black duck, regionally significant. The marsh shades from brackish to fresh, from cattail and rose mallow to wild rice and pickerelweed.
Nearby Attractions
Nott Island Wildlife Management Area lies just across the water, and Nehantic State Forest about a mile from the wildlife area’s boundary. Ferry Landing State Park is about 3 miles away, and Selden Neck State Park and Becket Hill State Park Reserve about 4 miles (straight line). Source: Connecticut DEEP property data, checked October 2026.
Insider Tips
Plan the tide: the creeks are tidal, so check tide times before you paddle in. Hunting season: waterfowl hunters use the marsh in fall and winter, and DEEP’s map marks 250-foot firearms restriction zones for tidal areas. Stay in the boat: the marsh is soft, wet ground.
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall: duck migration, when DEEP’s data show the heaviest use of the cove. Summer: paddling season. Fall and winter: waterfowl hunting seasons, so check dates with DEEP before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Lord’s Cove?
By boat only. DEEP’s area map gives no land access, so plan to paddle or motor in from the Connecticut River.
Is hunting allowed at Lord’s Cove?
Waterfowl hunting only, according to DEEP’s area map (as of October 2026), with 250-foot firearms restriction zones in the tidal areas. Check licenses and season dates at CT Outdoor Licenses and the DEEP hunting area map before you go.
Why is the Connecticut River estuary important?
In 1994 the tidal marshes of the lower Connecticut River were recognized as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. According to DEEP, the area covers almost 16,000 acres from the river’s mouth north to Portland and is the most pristine large-river tidal marsh system in the Northeast.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Nott Island Wildlife Management Area (less than a mile southwest) and Connecticut Valley Railroad State Park (about 2 miles west), measured in a straight line.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Lord’s Cove 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 Lord’s Cove 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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