The Assunpink Wildlife Management Area (WMA) consists of 6,393 acres of fields, hedgerows, woods and wetlands in Monmouth County. The WMA features three lakes, ample hunting and fishing access, bird watching, dog training and horseback riding opportunities, and is home to NJ Fish & Wildlife’s Central Region Office.
Hunters will find squirrels, rabbits, ducks, geese, deer and turkey, and Assunpink is stocked with pheasants in the fall. Anglers have their choice of fishing three lakes on the WMA – Lake Assunpink, Stone Tavern Lake and Rising Sun Lake.
Assunpink WMA is one of the best birdwatching areas in Central New Jersey. The fields in the spring and summer are particularly notable for seeing grassland species including the grasshopper sparrow and vesper sparrow. Several species of raptors can be seen throughout the area. Northern harriers are common during the fall and winter months.
Owned by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and managed by NJ Fish & Wildlife, the Wildlife Management Area System is composed 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. Purchased with funds from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, state waterfowl stamps and through the Green Acres Program, WMAs provide habitat for fish and wildlife species, as well as outstanding hunting, fishing, trapping and wildlife viewing opportunities. WMAs are maintained and supported with funding from license sales, the Federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program and the Wildlife Habitat Supporter Program.
If you are interested in supporting the maintenance of the Assunpink WMA and other Wildlife Management Areas, become a Wildlife Habitat Supporter by donating now:
Learn more about the Wildlife Habitat Supporter Program
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).
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