Wallback WMA consists of 4 distinct parcels of property in southern Roane, western Clay, and northern Kanawha counties. The lake is north of exit 34 on I-79 and has road access with trail around its eastern shore leading to a firing range. Rough roads traverse the WMA parcel south of Amma.
Clay, Kanawha and Roane counties
Contact: Rob Silvester
Box 38
French Creek,WV 26218
Free
Take Wallback exit 34 off I-79 and follow WVDNR signs to the parking lot, or travel north of Clendenin on state Route 4 to King Shoals Road, or from Amma exit 25 from I-79 to county Route 29/9 (Pigeon Run Road). Laurel Creek section is accessed on county Route 18 from state Route 4 between Paxton and Varneytown.
Size: 11,758 acres Terrain: hilly topography, forests, brushland Hunting Prospects: deer, small game, turkey
Class Q hunting access is provided.
Fishing Opportunities Elk River Laurel Creek: trout stocked (seasonally) Impoundment: 15 acres - electric motors only
Boat ramp, closes at dark, no live minnows, trout stocked (seasonally) Game Fish: largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, muskellunge, trout (stocked), walleye
Accommodations and Facilities On the WMA: 100-yard shooting range
Camping is not permitted.
Owned by WVDNR Managed by Wildlife Resources Section
Information provided by Bob Knight and Rob Silvester of DNR
Signage: Visible signs to some of the Wallback, especially to the area with the lake. The trails we hiked in the other Wallback areas had no signage on them. The area on 29/1 had no sign marking the WMA and we had to call DNR to verify we were at the right location. There is signage at the entrance of the tract that contains the local DNR headquarters (referred to as "the barn" but no signage exists on the trails themselves.
Jerry Duffield area DNR contact 304-587-4624 located Big Otter exit.
