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Welcome to the New Jersey Meadowlands and More Birding and Wildlife Trail
Located within the most populated metropolitan area in the United States — just four miles from our largest city, Manhattan — there lies a haven. It is being restored to benefit wildlife — native plants and animals — and also to benefit people by providing easy access to the wonders of Nature. Where? The Meadowlands. This guide will take you there and to many other wildlife-viewing sites in the Hackensack River watershed. Please, come and see.
The second in an ongoing series of New Jersey Birding and Wildlife Trails features the New Jersey Meadowlands and surrounding Hackensack River watershed. Within the Meadowlands’ 32 square miles are over 1,168 acres of publicly accessible parks, viewing platforms, and walking and paddling trails. Following all the trails offered inside this guide will take you north to the Palisades and the New York state border, all the way south to popular Liberty State Park, and to many natural areas in between. Local residents can enjoy the trails at their own pace, while visitors will find each trail includes enough sites and activities to keep them busy for two or three days. Future guides will cover other regions of the state, with a goal of statewide coverage over the next several years.
The Meadowlands guide was a collaborative effort led by NJAS, funded by the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission (NJMC), and created with invaluable input from Hackensack Riverkeeper, Inc. and the staff of NJMC. It is marketed and distributed with the support of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Meadowlands Liberty Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Order more Meadowlands and More Birding and Wildlife Trails Guides by calling the NJMC at 888-NJM-BIRD.
Fishing Tips and Guidelines
 Fishing is a popular activity throughout the Hackensack River watershed and this guide includes a wealth of fishing access information. Please consult the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection website for seasons, size and creel limits and for details on obtaining a fishing license at www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/fishneed.htm.
It was once feared that pollution would extirpate all but the heartiest fish species within the Meadowlands, and for many years anglers pursued the sport elsewhere. However, conservation efforts with a focus on cleaner water resources have resulted in a marked decrease in water-borne contaminants, and an increase in fish species. More than 60 species of fish have been identified within the Meadowlands District.
Levels of PCBs, dioxin and mercury in fish are human health concerns in nearly all New Jersey waterways, and the Hackensack River watershed is no exception. Because of state Fish Advisories, fishing is best enjoyed on a “catch-and-release” basis south of the Oradell Dam and blue crab is entirely off limits. Enjoy eating fish caught north of the dam and from the reservoirs but always be sure to follow the consumption guidelines provided by the NJDEP’s Division of Science, Research and Technologies and available online at www.nj.gov/dep/dsr/njmainfish.htm.
Click here for more information about "catch and release" fishing.
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