Buck Lake WMA - Woodbury (39 acres)

Buck Lake WMA - Woodbury (39 acres)

Woodbury, Vermont 05681

Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area guide and map

Birds of Interest

Expect to find ruffed grouse, woodcock, turkeys, and deciduous forest songbirds such as scarlet tanager, redstart, black-throated blue warbler, and northern waterthrush. Common loons nest on Buck Lake.

About this Location

Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in the central Vermont town of Woodbury. It is home to one of two Green Mountain Conservation Camps operated by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. The WMA is 275 acres in size and is mostly forested with red and sugar maple, yellow birch, and beech. There are some small old fields along the access road. Buck Lake (49 acres) and a portion of its outlet, Buck Lake Brook, lie within the WMA and provide fishing opportunities for the public. Access to the WMA is from Route 14 and the Buck Lake Road. It is owned by the State of Vermont and managed by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. The WMA borders Bardill Land and Lumber Company lands to the north and east.

Buck Lake WMA is open to regulated hunting, fishing, and trapping. Fishing is restricted to walk-in and car-top carry-in boats or canoes. When using this WMA at any time of the year, avoid those areas along the access road that are developed with camp buildings as these are frequently used as Department training and meeting sites in non-snow months.

Buck Lake WMA sits on the divide between the Winooski River and Lamoille River watersheds. Buck Lake drains into the Kingsbury Branch of the Winooski River and eventually into the Winooski mainstem. Woodbury Gulf and 2,460-foot Woodbury Mountain are located to the northwest. Most of the WMA is upland habitat, with wet areas located adjacent to Buck Lake, especially along its outlet, where open-water beaver ponds are located.

The WMA is comprised of northern hardwood forest, with sugar maple, yellow birch, and beech dominating the overstory. There are several small areas of mixed softwood species containing red spruce, balsam fir, and hemlock. The shrub layer consists of striped maple, hobblebush, and others typically associated with northern hardwoods.

Buck Lake (39 acres) is a site for the Vermont LoonWatch annual survey. Birders are encouraged to volunteer as often and whenever they are able. See Join LoonWatch for details.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Buck Lake Wildlife Management Area guide and map

Last updated December 3, 2023