
The Musconetcong River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Hunterdon, Warren, and Morris Counties has seven distinct sites along the river in Lebanon, Bethlehem, Holland, Bloomsbury, Mount Olive, Mansfield, Pohatcong, Washington, and Franklin Townships. The 1,685-acre WMA provides river access and many hunting opportunities.
The Musconetcong River is a 45.7-mile-long tributary of the Delaware River that flows through rural mountainous country, and is designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. It is stocked at several access points with rainbow trout each spring and fall, and it also produces catches of native brook trout and wild brown trout. Less common species caught include sunfish and smallmouth bass. Shad have most recently been caught in the lower parts of the river as dam removals and habitat restoration have made anadromous fish migration possible.
Hunting
The Musconetcong River WMA has large deer herds in DMZs 7, 8, and 10. Some adjacent properties, such as the Musconetcong Gorge and Point Mountain Preserve, are County Parks that require special permitting. Consult the Hunting & Trapping Digest or view the Hunting and Trapping Explorer on NJDEP Fish & Wildlife’s website to be certain of legal hunting land on this WMA. Turkey hunters should do the same while hunting THAs 8 and 9.
Wildlife
Rich in farmland and deciduous forest, the WMA is a haven for a variety of wildlife. Deer, cottontail rabbits, bald eagles, osprey, and a variety of songbirds can be found at this WMA. Black bears roam the region, while the area also sees a heavy migration of snow geese.
Access
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).