The Jug Wildlife Management Area

Honeysuckle House at The Jug near The Jug Wildlife Management Area

The 2,848-acre Jug Wildlife Management Area (WMA) ranges across river bottoms and rolling hills through fields and forests of pine and mixed hardwoods. The area is so named for “The Jug” a meander of more than four miles in the course of Middle Island Creek after which the stream nearly meets itself.

A U.S. Geologic Survey map shows the Jug as it appeared in 1924.

Game traditionally hunted in the management area includes deer, grouse, squirrel, rabbit, turkey, waterfowl, and migratory birds. Middle Island Creek accommodates fishing for sunfish, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. Camping is prohibited in the management area.

Read also: The Jug among more peculiar W.Va. geographic features

Directions: The Jug Wildlife Management Area is located in central Tyler County, three miles southeast of Middlebourne, WV, and 25 miles northwest of West Union, WV, in Doddridge County. From Middlebourne, follow highway WV-18 south two miles to a right turn onto Jug Run Road (CR-46/1). Follow the latter one mile into the heart of the management area.

The Jug WMA is managed by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. It was formerly known as The Jug Public Hunting & Fishing Area.

Hotels near The Jug WMA

Middlebourne (WV) Hotels
West Union (WV) Hotels

Regional Information

Further information on lodging, dining, and recreation near The Jug Wildlife Management Area may be found in our guide to travel in the Heartland Region in northern West Virginia, in which the management area is located. Tyler County is also often considered a part of the Mid-Ohio Valley Region, and additional information may be found therein.