Atkinson Island WMA: access, rules and map
Atkinson Island WMA is about 152 acres in Harris County and Chambers County, owned or managed by TPWD. It has no page in TPWD's 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands, so the Annual Public Hunting Permit alone does not open it to walk-in hunting. TPWD's page says hunting is not allowed there. When it is open, in TPWD's words: Open year round
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: TPWD's page for Atkinson Island WMA. Boundary: TPWD's WMA layer.
This areaOther public hunting landCounty lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 152 acres mapped |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County, Chambers County |
| Walk-in hunting on the APH permit | No booklet page for 2026-27 |
| When it is open | Open year round |
| Area office | (409) 736-2551 |
| Towns | Morgan's Point (next to it), La Porte (4 mi) and Shoreacres (5 mi) |
| Highways | TX 99 (1.9 mi), TX 146 (2.4 mi) and TX 225 (3 mi) |
What is Atkinson Island WMA for?
The Atkinson Island WMA is the northern portion of Atkinson Island, a long, narrow island in the very northern tip of Galveston Bay on the edge of Harris and Chambers County. The island, south of Hogg Island, runs north and south and the island south of the WMA is actively being used for marsh creation by the local port authority. The land for Atkinson Island WMA was donated by Conoco, Inc. as a wildlife preserve area.
Wildlife includes shore and wading birds, raccoons and rattlesnakes. Because it is a preserve, hunting is not permitted in Atkinson Island WMA. There is 40 acres of woodlot composed of mainly hackberry and yaupon. Another 90 acres segment is brackish marsh and then 20 acres is a spoils site left from dredging the channel. Visitors will need either a Limited Public Use permit or Annual Public Hunting permit to access the WMA. Visitors are requested to not disturb nesting shorebirds in spring and summer. Visitation is restricted to boat access only.
The extreme humidity and heat during April through October should be considered when planning a visit.
From TPWD's Atkinson Island WMA page.
Can you hunt Atkinson Island WMA?
No. TPWD's page for the area: Because it is a preserve, hunting is not permitted in Atkinson Island WMA.
How do you get to Atkinson Island WMA?
Atkinson Island WMA lies in Harris County and Chambers County. Nearest towns: Morgan's Point (next to it), La Porte (4 miles), Shoreacres (5 miles) and Baytown (5 miles). Highways within 5 miles: TX 99 (1.9 miles), TX 146 (2.4 miles) and TX 225 (3 miles).
Where can you hunt near Atkinson Island WMA?
The closest places on the Annual Public Hunting Permit with a page of their own:
| Area | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Houston National Forest WMA | San Jacinto and Walker | 46 mi |
| Sea Rim State Park | Jefferson | 54 mi |
| J.D. Murphree WMA | Jefferson | 54.7 mi |
| Justin Hurst WMA | Brazoria | 55.5 mi |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt Atkinson Island WMA?
No. TPWD's page for the area: Because it is a preserve, hunting is not permitted in Atkinson Island WMA.
How big is Atkinson Island WMA?
FilledTag measures 152 acres inside TPWD's WMA boundary.
Where is Atkinson Island WMA?
In Harris County and Chambers County. Nearest towns: Morgan's Point (next to it), La Porte (4 miles) and Shoreacres (5 miles). TPWD's address for the area: 10 Parks & Wildlife Dr., Port Arthur, TX 77640.
Where is the nearest walk-in public hunting to Atkinson Island WMA?
Sam Houston National Forest WMA, 46 mi away, on the Annual Public Hunting Permit.
Get a Texas hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Texas included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, hours and contact: TPWD, Atkinson Island WMA.
- Boundary: TPWD WMA boundaries. Nearby public hunting: TPWD Public Hunt Locator map and TPWD 2026-27 Map Booklet.
- Counties, highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 and Gazetteer.
FilledTag is not part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.