Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Fish & Wildlife
The Manahawkin Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Stafford Township, Ocean County, is 1,790 acres of woodlands, fields and salt marsh. This WMA is one of the older Wildlife Management Areas, with acquisition beginning in 1933. Smooth and salt meadow cordgrasses dominate the salt marshes, while pitch-pine mixed with various deciduous tree species characterize the coastal forest.
Birds abound here with species of concern including pied-billed grebe, black skimmer, black rail, osprey, and black-crowned night heron. Manahawkin WMA is an important stopover for migrating land birds.
The impounded area within the tract provides limited fishing for largemouth bass. Cedar Creek, accessible from Stafford Avenue, offers crabbing and fishing for white perch, snapper blues and eels. Car top launching is permitted.
Manahawkin WMA is full of hunting opportunities for upland game, waterfowl, and deer. Cottontail rabbits, squirrels, and woodcock can be found here, and pheasants are stocked during the season. The WMA is within THA 14 for turkey hunters, and there’s a growing deer herd in DMZ 51. Four ponds have been constructed on the tract which attract many species of waterfowl including black duck, mallard, widgeon, and teal. Some geese are also present early in the season.
Hilliard Boulevard and Stafford Avenue provide access on either side of the WMA. Take exit 63 from the Garden State Parkway, then take Route 72 east and turn right to merge onto U.S. 9 N/S Main Street toward Manahawkin/Business District. Make a right onto Beach Avenue and a right onto Hilliard Boulevard. The pheasant fields and parking are located past the Manahawkin Elks on the left side. The impoundments and creek are accessed by making a left onto Stafford Avenue and following that to the end.
Owned by New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Fish & Wildlife, the Wildlife Management Area System is comprised of more than 360,000 acres in 122 areas throughout the state, which is more than 44% of New Jersey’s state-owned public open space. WMAs are maintained and supported with funding from hunting and fishing license sales, the Federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program and the Wildlife Habitat Supporter Program.
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WMAs are patrolled by NJ Fish & Wildlife Conservation Police Officers to ensure public safety. If you see violations while visiting a WMA, please call the 24-hour DEP hotline at 877-WARN-DEP (877-927-6337).
