Support Musconetcong River Wildlife Management Area
- NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife
- 16 minutes ago
- 3 min read
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.
Fishing
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.
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.
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 to be certain of legal hunting land on this WMA. Turkey hunters should do the same while hunting THAs 8 and 9.
Access
There are multiple access points off Route 31 North in Lebanon Township. Make a right onto Musconetcong River Road into New Hampton. Several pull-offs exist at bridges that cross the road. River Road ends at the Point Mountain Trout Conservation Area, where special regulations are in place.
The Bethlehem access is off Route 31 North. Make a left at West Asbury/Anderson Road. The access is just past Main Street in Asbury as it turns into Bloomsbury Road.
The Holland access is remote. Take Interstate 78 to exit 7 for Route 22 to Route 173 West to Warren Glen/Bloomsbury Road (Rt. 639) to Route 519/Route 627, Warren Glen Road. The WMA access is an old Christmas tree farm off Mount Joy Road where there is a dirt lane to the parking lot.
The Bloomsbury access is off Interstate 78 to Route 22 via exit 7. Take Route 173 South to Route 579 to Willow Avenue to the Fish & Wildlife parking lot.
In Mount Olive Township, Sebers Park is the access point. Take Route 46 to Drakestown Road to Mine Hill Road to River Road (Stephens Park Road) or (Grove Lane) to dirt road entrance to the Park. Follow to the end.
The Hackettstown access is off County Route 46 to Route 57 West to access just past Dairy Queen. It is marked with a sign, and there is a dirt lot.
The Butler Park access in Washington/Lebanon Township is accessed via taking Route 31 to Route 57 East to Butler Park Road. There is parking at the bridge on the Hunterdon County side at Mowder Road.
The Pohatcong access is right before the river’s terminus with the Delaware River. Access is off Riegelsville/Warren Glen Road.
To get to the Washington access, take Route 46 to Route 57 West. There is a cement slab parking lot at Old Turnpike Road or the Stephensburg Road Bridge.
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.
WMAs are patrolled by NJDEP 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).
