Redhead Pond WMA: access, rules and map
Redhead Pond WMA is about 37 acres in Nueces 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. When it is open, in TPWD's words: The Redhead Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is open year-round for day use for wildlife viewing and hiking activities. Visitors do not need a permit to enter and use the WMA.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: TPWD's page for Redhead Pond WMA. Boundary: TPWD's WMA layer.
This areaOther public hunting landCounty lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 37 acres mapped |
|---|---|
| County | Nueces County |
| Walk-in hunting on the APH permit | No booklet page for 2026-27 |
| When it is open | The Redhead Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is open year-round for day use for wildlife viewing and hiking activities. Visitors do not need a permit to enter and use the WMA. |
| Area office | (361) 205-1510 |
| Towns | Corpus Christi (10 mi), Ingleside on the Bay (14 mi) and Ingleside (16 mi) |
| Highways | TX 358 (1.9 mi), TX 361 (4.2 mi) and TX 357 (4.5 mi) |
What is Redhead Pond WMA for?
The 37-acre Redhead Pond property was purchased in 1991 by The Nature Conservancy and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a WMA because of redhead ducks' historic and significant use of the area. The property had degraded over the years due to increased salts in the pond water, invasive plants, infestation by Brazilian peppertrees, trash dumping and off-road vehicle damage. The goal is to protect the freshwater wetland habitat for wintering redhead ducks, other waterfowl and other wild birds.
The WMA offers a unique opportunity to view large concentrations of wild birds within a short drive of downtown Corpus Christi. Redhead Pond is located on the Encinal Peninsula in the Flour Bluff neighborhood of Corpus Christi. The WMA is bordered on the east side by Laguna Shores Road and Laguna Madre. Visitors can hike around the ponds on the WMA and use the WMA's observation platform to view wild birds in the ponds. On the platform two bird species difficult to see elsewhere along the coast, Common Goldeneye and Hooded Merganser, may be seen.
The WMA inside the main gate is unimproved and may be muddy depending on weather conditions. There are no improved trails and visitors may have to walk through tall grass and muddy ground to get to the viewing platform and hike around the ponds.
From TPWD's Redhead Pond WMA page.
Can you hunt Redhead Pond WMA?
Not on the Annual Public Hunting Permit: Redhead Pond WMA has no page in TPWD's 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands, and TPWD's page for it describes no hunting. Ask the area office about any special hunts.
TPWD's drawn hunts are listed in its Public Hunt Drawing System, by area and hunt category.
How do you get to Redhead Pond WMA?
Redhead Pond WMA lies in Nueces County. Nearest towns: Corpus Christi (10 miles), Ingleside on the Bay (14 miles), Ingleside (16 miles) and Portland (17 miles). Highways within 5 miles: TX 358 (1.9 miles), TX 361 (4.2 miles) and TX 357 (4.5 miles).
Where can you hunt near Redhead Pond WMA?
The closest places on the Annual Public Hunting Permit with a page of their own:
| Area | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Matagorda Island WMA | Calhoun | 39.6 mi |
| Guadalupe Delta WMA | Calhoun and Refugio | 60 mi |
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt Redhead Pond WMA?
Not on the Annual Public Hunting Permit: Redhead Pond WMA has no page in TPWD's 2026-27 Map Booklet for Public Hunting Lands, and TPWD's page for it describes no hunting. Ask the area office about any special hunts.
How big is Redhead Pond WMA?
FilledTag measures 37 acres inside TPWD's WMA boundary.
Where is Redhead Pond WMA?
In Nueces County. Nearest towns: Corpus Christi (10 miles), Ingleside on the Bay (14 miles) and Ingleside (16 miles).
Where is the nearest walk-in public hunting to Redhead Pond WMA?
Matagorda Island WMA, 39.6 mi away, on the Annual Public Hunting Permit.
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, hours and contact: TPWD, Redhead Pond 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.