Charles E. Wheeler WMA in Connecticut

Trip Overview

This Wildlife Management Area is a wonderful retreat from the bustle of daily activity. Very few homes are along this preserve and once you are in the inlets you cannot see them.

There were many narrow inlets to explore in this area. If a moderate paddle was on the agenda it was easy to get into the Housatonic River at the mouth of Long Island Sound. Other areas accessible from here are Charles Island and Milford Harbor.

There was an abundance of nesting shore birds that were teaching their young swimming and fishing skills. No motor boats allowed inside the WMA.

Due to the extreme lack of water during low tide, the best time to paddle here would be approx. 2 hours before, but no more than 2 hours after high tide. There weren't any places to pullout and rest inside the WMA, but a short paddle on the Housatonic and you are able to pullout at a Marina boat ramp to use the facilities, etc.

Accommodations:

Flat wide parking for about 5/6 cars. Boat ramp approx. 200 feet long and fairly steep. The boat launch area was easy. No facilities

Fees:

No

Directions:

Exit 34 off I-95 turn West onto Bridgeport Ave. Drive .4 miles and turn Left onto Naugatuck Ave. Follow for approx. .5 miles Turn Right onto Milford Point Road. Turn Right onto Court Street. Follow Court street until it ends. Follow the dirt road at the end of Court Street to the parking area.

Resources:

Connecticut DEP has a map (.pdf file) that can be printed out from their website:

www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/wildlife/pdf_files/maps/maps_hunting_area/map88a.pdf

Tidal information is critical to this area. Use local information.