About Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area
Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area (WPA) is located in central Maine's Waldo County. Waterfowl production areas are wetlands (and surrounding uplands) that provide breeding, resting, and nesting habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, water birds, and other wildlife. About 95 percent of the Nation’s waterfowl production areas occur in the prairie potholes region of the Midwest (USFWS 2007). Carlton Pond WPA is the only waterfowl production area in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) North Atlantic-Appalachian Region.The creation of Carlton Pond WPA was authorized by administrative action on July 15, 1964, and the WPA was officially established when the first parcel was acquired on November 24, 1965, under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act and Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act. The 1,068-acre Carlton Pond WPA is managed as part of the Northern Maine Complex National Wildlife Refuge.
How to Get There
Carlton Pond WPA is a satellite refuge managed by the staff of Maine Coastal Islands NWR. To get to Carlton Pond, turn east from U.S. 202 in Troy, Maine onto Maine Route 220. Follow Route 220 for about three miles until Bog Road is seen on your right. Bog Road crosses over Carlton Pond after about Ѕ mile. A small parking area exists on the right at this point.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area
Heading to Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area?
No central reservation system listed for Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1335) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area?
Carlton Pond WPA is a satellite refuge managed by the staff of Maine Coastal Islands NWR. To get to Carlton Pond, turn east from U.S. 202 in Troy, Maine onto Maine Route 220. Follow Route 220 for about three miles until Bog Road is seen on your right. Bog Road crosses over Carlton Pond after about Ѕ mile. A small parking area exists on the right at this point.
How do I contact Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area?
You can reach the park at phone: 207-594-0600 or email: fw5rw_mhnwr@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
