5,982 acres surrounding West Virginia's largest lake - deer, turkey, grouse, waterfowl, and small game.
Summersville Lake Wildlife Management Area encompasses nearly 6,000 acres of public hunting land surrounding West Virginia's largest lake. The terrain ranges from forested rolling hills to dramatic vertical rock cliffs, dominated by oak-hickory forests with mixed hardwood coverage. Located just three miles south of Summersville on U.S. Route 19. Owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leased to WV DNR for wildlife management. About 30 minutes from WV Wild Outdoors.
Archery: Sept 27 - Dec 31 | Buck Firearms: Nov 24 - Dec 7 | Muzzleloader: Dec 15-21
Abundant population in oak-hickory forests. Nicholas County is open to antlerless deer for both base license and Class N/NN stamps. Hunt ridge tops and transition zones between forest and lake clearings. Peak rut activity mid-November. Mountaineer Heritage Season Jan 8-11 for traditional weapons.
Bag Limit:
Nicholas County: Antlerless open (base license + Class N/NN stamps)Spring: April 20 - May 24 | Fall: Oct 11-19
Mixed hardwood ridges hold excellent turkey populations. Spring gobblers respond well to calls in the oak-hickory timber. Fall hunting focuses on breaking up flocks and calling scattered birds back.
Bag Limit:
Spring: 2 bearded turkeysNOT AVAILABLE 2025
CRITICAL: Nicholas County was REMOVED from the 2025 bear hunting season. NO bear hunting is permitted on Summersville Lake WMA in 2025. Check WVDNR for future season updates.
Bag Limit:
N/A - Not available in Nicholas County 2025October 18 - February 28
Hunt regenerating timber and edge habitat. Population present but declining statewide. Focus on thick cover along ridges and old logging roads.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 4September 13 - February 28
Oak-hickory forests provide excellent squirrel habitat when mast production is good. Morning hunts on ridge tops are most productive. Youth season available early September.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 6November 1 - February 28
Field edges, briar patches, and regenerating clearcuts. Good population in transition zones between forest and open areas.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 5November 1 - February 28
Present in higher elevation areas with dense cover. Less common than cottontail but huntable.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 2Split: Oct 4-12 | Nov 8-16 | Dec 21-Jan 31
Summersville Lake and surrounding wetlands provide waterfowl hunting opportunities. Scout coves and creek mouths. Federal duck stamp required in addition to state license.
Bag Limit:
Check current federal migratory bird regulationsSplit: Sept 1-Oct 12 | Nov 3-16 | Dec 8-Jan 10
Hunt field edges and power line clearings. Morning flights most productive. Bring plenty of shells.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 15Split: Oct 18-Nov 22 | Dec 1-9
Moist bottomlands and alder thickets near streams. Hunt with pointing dogs for best results.
Bag Limit:
Daily limit: 3October 15 - February 28
Night hunting with hounds popular. Wooded ridges and bottomlands along the lake provide excellent habitat.
Bag Limit:
No daily limitNovember 1 - February 28
Present throughout the WMA. Can be hunted with hounds or called.
Bag Limit:
No daily limitNovember 1 - February 28
Present in remote areas. Calling and trapping effective. Check current WVDNR regulations for specific requirements.
Bag Limit:
Statewide limit: 3Year-round (no closed season)
No closed season, no bag limit. Can be taken while hunting other species or targeted specifically.
Bag Limit:
No limitAccess: From US-19 south of Summersville, take Battle Run Road to boat ramp and parking
Terrain: Mixed hardwood forest, lake shoreline, rolling terrain
Primary access point on the lake. Battle Run Campground nearby for extended stays. Good boat ramp access for waterfowl hunting.
Target Species:
Access: Salmon Run Road off US-19, follow signs to lake access
Terrain: Steep terrain, rock outcrops, mixed hardwoods
More rugged terrain with less hunting pressure. Steep access requires good physical condition.
Target Species:
Access: Long Point Road to WMA access
Terrain: Peninsula jutting into lake, diverse habitat
Excellent for waterfowl hunting with water on three sides. Natural pinch point concentrates deer movement.
Target Species:
Access: US-19 to dam access road, USACE day use area
Terrain: Lake shoreline, maintained areas, forest transition
USACE managed area - check specific regulations. Tailwater below dam can hold waterfowl. Some areas restricted.
Target Species:
Access: Reopened July 2024 - access via designated parking areas
Terrain: Wooded ridges, trail network, oak-hickory forest
REOPENED JULY 2024 after temporary closure. Designated for archery hunting. Walk-in access only. Excellent deer hunting during early archery season.
Target Species:
Multiple boat ramps provide lake access: Battle Run, Salmon Run, Long Point, and others. Essential for waterfowl hunting and accessing remote shoreline areas.
Designated parking at all major access points. Battle Run and Salmon Run have the largest lots. Seasonal closures may apply - check USACE notices.
Vault toilets at major developed areas including Battle Run. Portable facilities at some access points seasonally.
Battle Run Campground operated by USACE provides camping near WMA. Reservations recommended during peak seasons. No camping on WMA land itself.
Summersville Lake Marina provides fuel, supplies, and boat rentals. Located on the lake with easy WMA access.
Target:
Deer (archery, firearms), Turkey, Grouse, Squirrel, Waterfowl
Tips:
Peak activity from September through December. Archery season opens Sept 27 - scout summer patterns. Buck firearms Nov 24 - expect pressure, hunt early/late. Waterfowl splits start Oct 4. Oak mast crop determines squirrel and deer movement patterns.
Target:
Turkey (gobblers)
Tips:
April 20 - May 24 spring gobbler season. Set up on hardwood ridges overlooking hollows. Gobblers often roost near lake coves with large trees. Listen for dawn gobbling to pattern birds. Call aggressively but be patient.
Target:
Late deer (muzzleloader), Small game, Rabbit, Raccoon
Tips:
Muzzleloader Dec 15-21. Mountaineer Heritage Jan 8-11 for traditional weapons only. Winter squirrel and rabbit hunting productive with less pressure. Night raccoon hunting with hounds popular.
Target:
Scouting, Shooting practice
Tips:
Non-hunting season but excellent for scouting deer sign, locating turkey roosts, and identifying access points. Lake recreation popular - be aware of increased foot traffic.
WV hunting license required. Class BG stamp for deer/turkey. Federal duck stamp required for waterfowl. Hunter education certificate required for first-time purchasers.
CRITICAL: Nicholas County has been REMOVED from bear hunting for 2025. No bear hunting is permitted on Summersville Lake WMA during the 2025 season. Check WVDNR for future updates.
Required within 24 hours via WVhunt.com or 1-844-WVCHECK. Cell service available in most areas but may be spotty in remote sections.
Nicholas County is OPEN for antlerless deer harvest with both base license and Class N/NN stamps. Multiple antlerless-only periods throughout fall.
400+ square inches during firearms deer season. Required for safety - terrain varies from open to dense forest.
No hunting on Sunday in West Virginia (state law).
Federal duck stamp required in addition to WV hunting license and HIP registration. Steel shot or approved non-toxic shot only.
Summersville Lake WMA is on USACE land. Additional USACE regulations may apply in certain areas. Check posted signs at access points.
Portable stands only - must be non-bark penetrating and removed after each hunt. No permanent stands allowed.
Uncased firearms prohibited except during open hunting season. Firearms must be unloaded in vehicles. Never shoot across public roads or toward the lake when recreationists present.
No ATVs except on designated roads/trails. Walk-in access only to most hunting areas.
Boats may be used to access hunting areas but hunting from a moving boat is prohibited. Waterfowl hunting from anchored boats allowed.
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