Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Fish & Wildlife
The Sparta Mountain Wildlife Management Area is a stunning 3,461-acre landscape in Morris and Sussex counties. The site is part of a large tract of the Sparta Mountain Greenway that extends along the westernmost ridge of the New Jersey Highlands. The WMA is adjacent to the Newark Watershed Property, the Pequannock Watershed and the Hamburg WMA, and is located within the Highlands Preservation Area. In 2009, NJDEP Fish & Wildlife partnered with New Jersey Audubon to create and implement a Forest Stewardship Plan at Sparta Mountain WMA with two primary goals: to manage aging portions of the forest providing essential habitat for species like the red-shouldered hawk and barred owl, and to create openings in the canopy allowing light to reach the ground, triggering new growth of oaks, blackberries and native grasses. This successful management has provided more diverse habitats and a greater variety of wildlife species.
Ryker Lake can be found within the WMA. The lake was previously managed under special Conservation Regulations for bass, sunfish and yellow perch. These regulations were recently changed for 2026, and the lake is now managed under General Regulations for all species. Pickerel, crappie and catfish can also be caught. It features a car top boat launch and propulsion at the lake is by paddle or electric motor only.
The Sparta Mountain WMA is open for deer, small game, turkey, and waterfowl hunting. Deer hunting in DMZ 6 is excellent, especially in forested areas where turkeys also flock in great numbers in THA 7 due to mast production from the trees. The WMA is also open for trapping.
Sparta Mountain WMA is one of the rare places in New Jersey where you might spot the state endangered golden-winged warbler, a tiny, vibrant bird that serves as an “umbrella species”. By creating the young forest it needs to survive, we are also helping at least 30 other declining species, including the Baltimore oriole, Canada warbler, scarlet tanager, and indigo bunting. Also commonly seen here are the mysterious whip-poor-will, as well as red-shouldered hawks and barred owls, which have benefited from the hunting areas created by the new growth following the forest management work. A variety of other species inhabit the WMA, including turtles, black bears and bobcats.
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 1-(877) WARN DEP ( 1-877-927-6337).
