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Stonewall Jackson Lake WMA | WV Wild Outdoors
Stonewall Jackson Lake WMA shoreline and mature forest in Clay County

Stonewall Jackson Lake WMA

18,289 acres of central WV hunting - deer, turkey, bear, grouse, and waterfowl.

Acres
18,289
From Shop
~45 min
Location
Clay Co.
Accessible
Class Q
Public Land Hunting Class Q Accessible 2,650-acre Lake 300-yard Rifle Range

Stonewall Jackson Lake Wildlife Management Area surrounds a major USACE lake in Clay County with extensive public hunting opportunities. Mature hardwood forest, lakeside habitat, and forest edges that hold deer, turkeys, bears, and waterfowl year-round. Class-Q hunting designation provides expanded access. Nearby Stonewall Resort State Park offers lodging and camping alternatives.

What to Hunt

White-tailed Deer

Archery: Sept 27 - Dec 31 | Buck Firearms: Nov 24 - Dec 7 | Muzzleloader: Dec 15-21

Primary game species. Hunt the ridges overlooking lake edges and forest openings. Lake shoreline habitat creates productive edges.

Bag Limit:

1 antlered buck per year; must have minimum 14-inch outside antler spread

Wild Turkey

Spring: April 20 - May 24 | Fall: Oct 11-19

Lake bottomlands hold roosting birds. Position yourself on the same elevation contour and call aggressively across the drainage.

Bag Limit:

Spring: 2 bearded birds

Black Bear

Fall (check county dates)

Present in the area and expanding population. Mast production in oak-hickory forest. Requires Class BG and Bear Damage stamps.

Bag Limit:

Varies by season

Waterfowl

Check WV DNR duck and geese seasons

2,650-acre lake provides excellent waterfowl habitat. Multiple put-ins available through USACE facilities.

Bag Limit:

Follow state daily limits

Ruffed Grouse

October 18 - February 28

Regenerating timber cuts and dense young growth. Population declining statewide but huntable here.

Bag Limit:

Daily limit: 4

Where to Hunt

Lakeside Forest (Northern Shoreline)

Access: I-79 Exit 67, Route 19 North

Terrain: Mature forest, forest edges, lake shoreline habitat

82 miles of shoreline provide extensive hunting opportunities. Edge habitat between forest and water holds both deer and turkey.

Target Species:

Turkey (lakeside roosts) Deer (forest edges) Waterfowl

Interior Forest

Access: Multiple parking areas and trail access points

Terrain: Oak-hickory forest, ridges, benches

Older growth timber interspersed throughout. Good trail network for exploring interior areas.

Target Species:

Deer (ridges) Grouse (dense growth) Squirrel (mast areas)

Lake Outlet and Watershed Areas

Access: USACE boat ramps and parking areas

Terrain: Drainage areas, forest corridors, water access

102 square miles of watershed habitat feeds the lake. Excellent for bear and waterfowl.

Target Species:

Bear (mast production) Waterfowl (water access) Deer (travel corridors)

Facilities

Rifle Range

1

300-yard rifle range within the WMA for sighting-in rifles and target practice. Verify hours and any fees with WV DNR District 3.

Parking Areas

Multiple parking lots at lake access points and trail trailheads throughout the WMA.

Stonewall Resort State Park

Adjacent state park offers lodging, camping, dining, and recreational facilities. NO CAMPING allowed in the WMA itself - use resort or nearby USACE facilities.

USACE Lake Facilities

Boat ramps, day-use areas, and parking managed by US Army Corps of Engineers. Check recreation.gov for detailed facility information.

Class Q Access

One of 14 WV WMAs with expanded vehicle access for disabled hunters. Apply through District 3 Office.

Seasonal Hunting Guide

Fall

Target:

Deer (archery, firearms), Grouse, Waterfowl

Tips:

Peak rut Nov 10-18. Hunt forest edges overlooking open water and clearings. Waterfowl migrate through in late fall.

Spring

Target:

Turkey (gobblers), Waterfowl migration

Tips:

Set up near lakeside bottomlands before dawn. Gobblers roost in big timber near water. Listen for 6:15 AM sound-off.

Winter

Target:

Late deer, Small game, Rabbit

Tips:

Less pressure. Hunt thick cover away from frozen lake. January-February best for grouse. Waterfowl concentrate at open water.

Regulations & Safety

Hunting License

WV hunting license required. Class BG stamp for deer/turkey/bear. Bear Damage Stamp required for bear hunting.

Required

Electronic Game Check

Required within 24 hours via WVhunt.com or 1-844-WVCHECK. Cell service at resort areas.

Required

Blaze Orange

400+ square inches during firearms deer season. Required for safety.

Required

No Camping in WMA

Camping is prohibited in the WMA. Use Stonewall Resort State Park, nearby USACE campgrounds, or Briar Point Campground for overnight trips.

Required

Rifle Range

Sighting-in allowed at the 300-yard rifle range. No target shooting on WMA land.

Tree Stands

Portable stands only - must be non-bark penetrating and removed after each hunt.

ATVs

No ATVs except where posted or Class Q access approved.

USACE Safety Zones

Respect USACE property restrictions and safety zones around dam, spillway, and developed facilities.

Required

Kim's Take

Class-Q hunting for deer and turkey - rifle range for practice shots before the season starts. Remember: no camping in the WMA itself, but Stonewall Resort is right there with everything you need. One of the better-developed WMAs with all that lake shoreline - bring a boat if you've got one for waterfowl.

What to Bring

Make sure you have everything you need for a successful hunt!

  • WV hunting license
  • Class BG stamp (big game)
  • Bear Damage stamp (if bear hunting) (optional)
  • Blaze orange (400+ sq inches firearms season)
  • Rifle range sighting-in appointment
  • GPS/offline maps (lake area cell service varies)
  • Water and snacks
  • First aid kit
  • Rain gear
  • Binoculars (optional)
  • Turkey calls (spring) (optional)
  • Portable tree stand (optional)
  • Flotation device (waterfowl hunting) (optional)

Stop By Before You Head Out

Get your hunting license, stock up on ammo, and we'll point you to the best spots on the WMA.

Looking for fishing information?

Stonewall Jackson Lake Fishing Guide

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