Matagorda Island WMA: Activities at a Glance
Phone: (361) 205-1510
Matagorda Island
Offshore Port O'Connor, Texas
Contact:
Dan Walker
Dates Open:
The Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is open throughout the year for camping, biking, hiking, wildlife viewing and fishing and hunting activities. To camp and to hunt duck on the WMA, visitors must have a Limited Public Use Permit (LPU) or Annual Public Hunting Lands Permit (APH). No permit is needed for day use of the WMA. To get to the WMA is by boat only, see the Matagorda Island Map and the Matagorda Island WMA Headquarters Complex Map. The Sunday Beach area of Matagorda Island is open to the public for activities with no fees, permits or restrictions.
Hunting
Wildlife Management Areas have rules and regulations for hunting not required on private property. Hunters must possess a valid hunting license, the appropriate tags and stamps, as well as the proper public hunting permit. Permits include: Annual Public Hunting Permit (APH), computer drawn Special Permits, and the Regular Permit, which allows daily small game hunting on some areas. Hunters 16 years of age and younger are not required to have a hunting permit, but must have a hunting license and be supervised by a licensed, permitted adult, 18 years of age or older. Hunters and non-hunters must wear hunter orange during daylight hours at any time when firearm hunting for any species is authorized on the unit (except turkeys, waterfowl, and dove). For more details see the rules page for this WMA, the Summary of Fishing and Hunting Regulations and Public Hunting Lands Information and Maps.
Biking
Bicycling is a healthy and enjoyable activity that is available in many of the Wildlife Management Areas of Texas.
Camping
- Users may not camp or build a fire anywhere other than in a designated campsite.
- Users may not cause, create, or contribute to excessive or disturbing sounds beyond the person's immediate campsite between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- Users may not establish a camp and leave it unattended for a period of longer than 24 hours.
- Users must remove refuse from the area upon departing.
- Cutting of firewood is prohibited.
Fishing
For general information on fishing requirements and restrictions, see the Outdoor Annual Fishing Regulations. For information on fishing licenses, stamps, and tags see Outdoor Annual Fishing Licenses.
Hiking
Hiking is an enjoyable activity that is available in many of the Wildlife Management Areas of Texas. Since potable water is not available on many of the Wildlife Management Areas, it is a good idea to bring plenty of drinking water.
Wildlife Viewing
Viewing wildlife is an enjoyable activity that is available in many of the Wildlife Management Areas of Texas.
Detailed Wildlife Viewing Information for the Matagorda Island WMA