Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Fish & Wildlife
The Millville Wildlife Management Area is a whopping 16,403 acres in Lawrence and Millville Townships in Cumberland County, just west of the Maurice River. The area is managed primarily for upland game by planting annual food patches, cover crops, and cooperative farming. The terrain is hardwood and mixed forests, open fields, meadows, and freshwater marshes.
Shaw’s Mill Pond, located in the southwest corner of the tract, is one of the most popular waters in the area for largemouth bass and chain pickerel. Shaw’s Mill Pond is also stocked annually with trout during the spring and winter. Anglers will find abundant shoreline access, a gravel boat ramp and a floating dock. In 2004, Lake Audrey underwent a major habitat improvement project to improve water quality and fish habitat in the once barren sand pond. Lake Audrey has developed into one of the most popular bass waters in the area. Anglers will now find an abundant and healthy bass population. A gravel boat ramp and floating dock provide anglers with great access to the lake. A trail around the lake’s perimeter provides access for wildlife watchers and shoreline anglers. You can also find pickerel and catfish in the few streams meandering through the tract.
Many raptors can be seen in this area, including bald eagles, osprey, harriers, sharp-shinned hawks, red-shouldered hawks, and owls.
Two areas are available for dog training. Lake Audrey is available for upland and water retriever training, with a second upland hunting dog training area located near the intersection of Shaw Mill and Station roads.
NJDEP Fish & Wildlife maintains areas here for archery, shotgun, and rifle training. The rifle range is the longest in the state with 50- and 200-yard ranges, allowing for the use of muzzleloaders, shotguns, rimfire, and/or centerfire rifles up to .30 caliber. In 2020, a covered firing line, eight new individual shooting stations (including one ADA-compliant station), reinforced downrange concrete baffles, and improved parking areas were installed as part of a large restoration utilizing Wildlife and Sportfish Restoration funding. Keep in mind that at least one member of the shooting party must possess a current, valid NJ Hunting License.
The WMA offers excellent rabbit and squirrel hunting in the woods and fields. NJDEP Fish & Wildlife stocks pheasant in the fall, along with supplemental chukar. A growing deer herd in DMZ 31 offers bow and firearm enthusiasts ample hunting opportunities. THA 21 is a very competitive draw for the spring wild turkey lottery. Hunting of wood ducks, mallards, teal, and black ducks is also available on the streams found within the area.
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).
