The state Department of Environmental Conservation is opening two otherwise restricted Wildlife Management Areas in St. Lawrence County to the public from Saturday, Aug. 11 through Sunday, Aug. 26.

During the 16 days, the Upper and Lower Lakes WMA, west of Canton, and Wilson Hill WMA, east of Massena in Louisville, will be open to visitors each day from sunrise to sunset.

Upper and Lower Lakes is about two miles west of Canton along state Route 68. It is the largest WMA in the region, an 8,770-acre upland/wetland complex between the Grasse and Oswegatchie rivers.

Wilson Hill WMA is about six miles west Massena off state Route 37, along the St. Lawrence River. The 4,000-acre area consists of several large pools of open water marsh bordered by a combination of dense cattails, brushy wetlands, forest, and upland meadow. Fishing is not allowed in Nichols Pool.

Portions of these WMAs are marked as "Refuge" or "Wetlands Restricted Area" to allow waterfowl and other listed species to breed and raise young without interference from people.

DEC will be conducting habitat and wildlife management projects on the WMAs during the 16-day period. Visitors are asked to avoid any operating machinery and pay attention to temporary signage.

More info: DEC’s Region 6 Wildlife Office, 315-785-2263, or http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/8282.html.