Yellow perch, brook trout and largemouth bass prefer the freshwater section of the River, while white fluke, bay anchovy, winter flounder, and northern puffer favor the salt water at the southern end. White perch and hogchocker flourish in the brackish areas, where fresh and salt water mix. Bass, alewife and American eel live all along the River.

An information kiosk and brochures are available at the trail head. These will introduce you to the wonders you'll discover as you explore the Refuge. A new trail brochure will help you guide your way!

The diversity of habitats found at the Refuge attract and support many different kinds of wildlife from ants to butterflies, ducks to songbirds, owls, hawks, mice, voles, deer, weasel and fox! You can observe these wildlife and/or their signs along the Refuge's trail system or by boat on the Carmans River. The pine barren forest and forest openings offer chances to see migrating warblers. Pine warblers often nest high in the pitch pine - a rare sighting for any birder! Views of the wetlands and Carmans River provide chances to see wood ducks in spring, black ducks, mergansers and bufflehead in winter, great egrets and green herons in summer, and great blue heron and kingfisher all year round! Muskrat and painted turtles also show themselves in the waters of the Refuge, while white-tailed deer, moles, and eastern box turtles make themselves known upland.

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Office hours - Open year-round 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday. Trail hours - Open daily year-round 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.