Jackson Lake Wildlife Management Area: hunting and access
Jackson Lake Wildlife Management Area is 1,776 acres of State Wildlife Commission land in Unit 2A, 3 miles from Farmington, measured from NMDOW's Commission land map. NMDOW lists it as open to hunting. NMDOW's fact sheet: "Waterfowl hunting allowed during open season."
Data updated October 2026. Rules: NMDOW's fact sheet and Commission lands page, read 2026-10-18. Hunts: NMDOW's 2026-27 booklet. Boundary: NMDOW GIS.
BLMState trust landWildlife Commission landTribal landJackson Lake WMAUnit lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 1,776 acres (NMDOW map); NMDOW's fact sheet says 840 |
|---|---|
| Quadrant | Northwest New Mexico |
| Unit | Unit 2A |
| Open to | hunting, fishing and GAIN activities |
| Camping | Not allowed. |
| Motor vehicles | Not allowed beyond parking area. |
| Nearest towns | Farmington (3 mi), La Plata (5 mi) and Totah Vista (6 mi) |
What is Jackson Lake WMA like?
The Jackson Lake Wildlife Area contains two ponds, crop fields and river property. Jackson Lake Wildlife Area was purchased beginning in 1948 to provide wintering habitat and food for waterfowl.
From NMDOW fact sheet for Jackson Lake.
What are the rules on Jackson Lake WMA?
Closures: Year-round access is allowed only on property west of Highway 170. Property east of Highway 170 is closed to all access. Camping: Not allowed. Motor vehicles: Not allowed beyond parking area.
Every Commission land needs a Habitat Management and Access Validation and the right license; WMAs are closed to hunting unless NMDOW's booklet lists them as open (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49). Rules posted on the property also apply.
What can you hunt on Jackson Lake WMA?
NMDOW's fact sheet: Waterfowl hunting allowed during open season. The 2026-27 booklet names Jackson Lake in no big game hunt code; hunting follows the seasons of the unit it is in.
How do you get to Jackson Lake WMA?
Jackson Lake Wildlife Area is located along the La Plata River northwest of Farmington.
Highways within 8 miles: US 64, NM 516, NM 170, NM 371 and NM 574. Nearest towns: Farmington (3 miles), La Plata (5 miles), Totah Vista (6 miles) and Flora Vista (6 miles). Within 3 miles of the WMA, FilledTag measured 20,202 acres of other public land, most of it BLM.
Which unit is Jackson Lake WMA in?
All of it is in Unit 2A. Each unit's 2026-27 hunt codes and public land, for the whole unit:
| Unit | WMA acres in it | Unit public land | Elk codes | Deer codes | Pronghorn codes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 2A | 1,776 | 65.9% | 6 | 6 | 3 |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Jackson Lake WMA?
Yes. NMDOW's Commission lands page lists Jackson Lake as open to hunting. Its fact sheet says: "Waterfowl hunting allowed during open season." Hunters need the proper license and the Habitat Management and Access Validation, and all WMAs are closed to hunting unless the booklet lists them as open (NMDOW 2026-27 Hunting Rules and Information, page 49).
When is Jackson Lake WMA closed?
Year-round access is allowed only on property west of Highway 170. Property east of Highway 170 is closed to all access. (NMDOW fact sheet for Jackson Lake). Rules posted on site also apply.
Can you camp on Jackson Lake WMA?
Not allowed. (NMDOW fact sheet for Jackson Lake)
Which unit is Jackson Lake WMA in?
All of Jackson Lake WMA is in Unit 2A, by NMDOW's unit and Commission land maps.