Sunderland Islands Wildlife Management Area: hunting, access and parking in Zone 5
Sunderland Islands Wildlife Management Area is 15 acres of MassWildlife land in Sunderland (Franklin County), in Wildlife Management Zone 5. MassWildlife says all of its WMAs are open to hunting, fishing and trapping. Hunters took 917 deer in Zone 5 in 2025, and MassWildlife maps 1 parking area for the property with room for about 10 vehicles.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: MassWildlife's Sunderland Islands WMA fact sheet. Harvest: MassWildlife 2025 Deer Harvest Summary. Seasons: MassWildlife deer hunting regulations (2026 dates).
MassWildlife (Fish and Game) landState forest and park land (DCR)National wildlife refugeSunderland Islands WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 15 acres (MassWildlife), in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| Town | Sunderland |
| County | Franklin |
| Wildlife Management Zone | Zone 5 |
| MassWildlife district | Connecticut Valley District |
| Parking (MassWildlife) | 1 lot, about 10 spaces |
| Deer taken in Zone 5, 2025 | 917 (541 adult males) |
| Nearest town centers | Sunderland (2 mi), Deerfield (3 mi) and Whately (4 mi) |
What is Sunderland Islands WMA like?
MassWildlife describes it: "These two Connecticut River islands consist of riparian forests predominantly of silver maple. Annual flooding enriches the soils of these islands resulting in a diversity of plants and insects."
On wildlife: "This part of the river offers great kayaking opportunities. Wildlife such as river otters, bald eagles, herons, and waterfowl can be observed throughout the summer and fall. Rare plants and dragonflies adapted to life in and near big rivers can also be found on these islands."
Quoted from MassWildlife's Sunderland Islands WMA fact sheet.
What does MassWildlife say about hunting Sunderland Islands WMA?
"Opportunities for trapping aquatic furbearers exist. Otherwise, hunting opportunities are limited."
Its rules for the area: "No camping allowed."
On fishing: "The Connecticut River provides fishing opportunities for a variety of species, such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, black crappie, bowfin, channel catfish, yellow perch, and white perch."
How do you get into Sunderland Islands WMA?
"The property can only be accessed by watercraft from the Connecticut River. There is cartop boating access under the Sunderland bridge on the east side of the river. Cars can be parked at the town offices on School Street as vehicles left at the launch will be towed. Day use of the WMA is allowed. Camping is not permitted on the islands; please report illegal campers to the Connecticut Valley District at 413-323-7632."
| Parking | Spaces | Surface | Condition | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parking for access to Connecticut River under Sunderland Bridge is at the Sunderland town offices. Do not leave vehicle at launch. You will be towed. | 10 | Paved | Excellent | 42.46762 | -72.58162 |
From MassWildlife parking for recreation.
Highways within five miles: I-91, MA 116, MA 10, US 5, MA 63 and MA 47. Distances to the nearest town centers: Sunderland 2 miles, Deerfield 3 miles, Whately 4 miles and Leverett 4 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Mt. Toby (2 miles), Montague (3 miles), Great Swamp (4 miles).
When can you hunt deer on Sunderland Islands WMA in 2026?
Deer seasons follow Zone 5: archery October 5 to November 28, shotgun November 30 to December 12, primitive firearms December 14 to 31. In 2025 the zone gave 337 deer to archers and 411 in shotgun season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Adult males, 2025 | Deer, 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 5 | 18 | 917 | 541 | 798 |
Seasons: MassWildlife deer hunting regulations (2026 dates). Harvest: MassWildlife 2025 Deer Harvest Summary; MassWildlife 2024 Deer Harvest Summary.
What rules apply on Sunderland Islands WMA?
Under 321 CMR 3.01, camping, fires and target practice need the Director's written permission, vehicles stay on roads open to traffic, and dogs must be leashed unless hunting or training with a licensed hunter.
Source: MassWildlife WMA regulations.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Sunderland Islands WMA?
Yes. MassWildlife says all WMAs are open to hunting, fishing and trapping; deer seasons follow Zone 5, where the 2026 shotgun season runs November 30 to December 12 (MassWildlife WMA regulations).
What zone is Sunderland Islands WMA in?
Zone 5, as MassWildlife's fact sheet gives it. Hunters took 917 deer in Zone 5 in 2025, 541 of them adult males, after 798 in 2024 (MassWildlife 2025 Deer Harvest Summary).
Where do you park for Sunderland Islands WMA?
MassWildlife maps 1 parking area: Parking for access to Connecticut River under Sunderland Bridge is at the Sunderland town offices. Do not leave vehicle at launch. You will be towed. (about 10 cars, paved). Its fact sheet adds: "The property can only be accessed by watercraft from the Connecticut River. There is cartop boating access under the Sunderland bridge on the east side of the river. Cars can be parked at the town offices on School Street as vehicles left at the launch will be towed. Day use of the WMA is allowed."
What can you hunt on Sunderland Islands WMA?
MassWildlife's fact sheet: "Opportunities for trapping aquatic furbearers exist. Otherwise, hunting opportunities are limited."
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Sources: MassWildlife fact sheet; MassWildlife Lands (MassGIS); MassWildlife parking for recreation; MassWildlife 2025 Deer Harvest Summary; MassWildlife deer hunting regulations (2026 dates); MassWildlife WMA regulations; public land MassGIS Protected and Recreational OpenSpace for state and Army Corps land; USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US 4.1) for federal land; towns U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, towns (county subdivisions). FilledTag is not part of Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife).