Union Lake Wildlife Management Area in Millville City and Vineland City, Cumberland County and Pittsgrove Township, Salem County is 5,206.63 acres of open space. The lake and the state-owned adjacent lands were purchased under the Green Acres Program.
Visit For:
Fishing
The 898-acre lake is the largest lake in South Jersey and has a maximum depth of nearly 30 feet. Anglers can fish for chain pickerel, white perch, yellow perch, crappie, channel catfish and bullheads, but it is especially known for largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing. A fish ladder was incorporated in the dam which allows anadromous alewife and herring to enter the lake where they serve as forage for the lake’s game fish. Artificial habitats in the form of Christmas trees have been placed in the lake through a cooperative effort with local sportsmen clubs and have greatly enhanced the lake’s fishery.
Boating
The boat launch is illuminated at night and there is room to launch three boats at once. Shoreline access is also available. It is the only impoundment within a WMA that allows the use of gas outboard motors up to 10 horsepower. A Boat Ramp Maintenance Permit or valid hunting or fishing license is required to use the boat ramp at Union Lake.
Hunting
Union Lake WMA contains good upland game habitat and currently supports deer, turkey, rabbits, coyote and red fox. The tracts around the lake, Mill Creek and Muddy Run, are productive but there is even more acreage available as you travel north on Route 638/Gershal Avenue and Route 56/Landis Avenue where a second parking area exists. Smaller tracts are huntable as you follow the Maurice River in Deer Management Zone 28. Turkey Hunting Area 21 is one of the most sought-after zones in the Spring Turkey Lottery and for good reason; the terrain and abundance of birds makes them easy to spot, set-up and call.
Wildlife Viewing
Bald eagle, osprey and belted kingfisher are likely to be spotted nesting and fishing at the lake. Warblers, tanagers and thrush are frequent guests and join all manner of frogs, turtles and dragonflies. Union Lake attracts a wide variety of waterfowl including scaup, ring-necked duck, wood duck, American widgeon, mallard, northern shoveler and green-winged teal.
Access
For the boat ramp, take Interstate 295 South and NJ-55 South to County Road 552/West Sherman Avenue in Vineland. Follow signs for Route 55 South. Take exit 27 to merge onto NJ-47 South/North 2nd Street toward Millville. Turn right onto North High Street and keep right. Turn right onto West Main Street and then right on to Carmel Road/New Beaver Dam Road. The WMA sign will be on the right-hand side.
An additional parking area on Sharp Street across from Riverview Park affords a good view of the fish ladder on the opposite side of the dam. It also provides additional fishing access to the Maurice River.
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 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 Union Lake WMA and other Wildlife Management Areas, become a Wildlife Habitat Supporter by donating now:
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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