Parking & Access: Quinnipiac River Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Access by boat only.
The car-top launch and its lot are south of Sackett Point Road in North Haven.
Hunting on this area
| Deer | Closed |
|---|---|
| Turkey | Closed |
| Small game | Closed |
| Waterfowl | Open |
| Pheasants stocked | No |
Parts of the area are closed to all hunting; see the map.
In tidal areas a 250-foot firearms restriction applies to waterfowl hunting; the zones are on the map.
The launch and lot are on private land owned by Tilcon. Respect 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), 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 Quinnipiac River Marsh Wildlife Management Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28–71 °F | 58–85 °F | 34–76 °F | 20–42 °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 Mount Carmel, 3 mi away, elevation 180 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Quinnipiac River Marsh Wildlife Management Area is a 655-acre state wildlife management area on the Quinnipiac River in Hamden, North Haven, and New Haven, New Haven County, managed by Connecticut DEEP.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Sackett Point Road, North Haven, CT 06473 (DEEP hunting area map, U.S. Census) |
| Size | 655 acres (DEEP hunting area map, as of October 2026) |
| Type | State wildlife management area (DEEP) |
| Entry Fee | No entrance fee is listed by DEEP (as of October 2026) |
| Hours | Half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; hunting and fishing are allowed outside these hours (RCSA § 26-16-3a) |
| Hunting | State hunting area, waterfowl only (DEEP, as of October 2026) |
| Access | By boat only (DEEP, as of October 2026) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hunting allowed at Quinnipiac River Marsh WMA?
Yes. DEEP’s hunting-area data (as of October 2026) list 655 acres of Quinnipiac River Marsh WMA as a state hunting area. It is open for waterfowl hunting only. The launch and lot are on private land owned by Tilcon. Respect the property. Waterfowl hunters must observe the 250-foot firearms restriction zones for tidal areas. Check the DEEP hunting area map and the current Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide for season dates before you go.
Where do I park for Quinnipiac River Marsh WMA?
Access by boat only. The car-top launch and its lot are south of Sackett Point Road in North Haven. (DEEP hunting area map, as of October 2026)
When can I visit Quinnipiac River Marsh WMA?
Connecticut’s rules for state wildlife management areas close them from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise, except for hunting, fishing and other activities DEEP authorizes (RCSA § 26-16-3a, as of October 2026).
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a leash no longer than 7 feet that you hold at all times, and under control. Dogs that are hunting or being trained for hunting are exempt from the leash rule, and DEEP can close an area to dogs by posting signs (RCSA § 26-16-3a, as of October 2026).
About Quinnipiac River Marsh WMA
DEEP’s mapped property boundary crosses the town line between Hamden, North Haven, and New Haven. DEEP’s hunting area map describes it as tidal salt marshes with numerous tidal creeks.
DEEP’s hydrography data show Quinnipiac River, Shares Clay Pit Pond No 1, Shares Clay Pit Pond No 2, and Twin Clay Pit Pond No 2 on or along the property. The 2021 National Land Cover Database (NLCD) maps the area as 90 percent wetland and 6 percent open water.
Things to Do
Hunters can use the area for waterfowl hunting under DEEP’s rules for this area. Because the area is reachable by boat only, plan to arrive by canoe, kayak or boat.
Rules on the Property
Connecticut’s regulation for state wildlife management areas (RCSA § 26-16-3a, as of October 2026) sets the ground rules here: no motor vehicles, no camping, horses only where not posted against them, bicycles not on posted trails, roads or areas, target shooting only where DEEP designates it, and dogs on a leash of no more than 7 feet unless they are hunting or in hunting training.
Nearby Attractions
Quinnipiac River State Park, a 323-acre state park, is about 2 miles north. West Rock Ridge State Park, a 1,644-acre state park, is about 3 miles west. Sleeping Giant State Park, a 1,575-acre state park, is about 4 miles north. Great Harbor Wildlife Management Area, a 176-acre wildlife management area, is about 10 miles southeast. Distances are straight-line between the DEEP property boundaries; acreages are DEEP figures.
🦆 Visit Quinnipiac River Marsh WMA
655 acres in Hamden, North Haven, and New Haven. Open from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Quinnipiac River Marsh 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 Quinnipiac River Marsh 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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