605 Pequest Road, Oxford, NJ
Phone: (908) 637-4125
www.njfishandwildlife.org/pequest.htm
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
From I-80 take Exit 19/CR 517. Proceed south toward Hackettstown approximately 5.0 miles. At the first traffic light in downtown Hackettstown, turn Right onto U.S. Route 46 West. After approximately 9.5 miles follow the signs for the hatchery and turn Left into entrance. Map
Three trails are available to guide amateur or experienced wildlife watchers and hikers through a variety of habitats. The Red Dot Trail begins near the hatchery viewing platform, where hawks and eagles are known to soar, angling for an easy meal. This trail connects with the more rugged Yellow Dot Trail for a trek through the forested ridge. The Blue Dot Trail skirts below the ridgeline along a glacial formation known as an esker, and continues through an area of second growth scrub/shrub. Both invasive and native plants are found on this land, which was once farmed. Note the old stone rows and limekiln.
The Pequest River can be accessed for fishing by carefully venturing off the marked trails. Take the accessible, rail trail that goes along the river from the parking area along U.S. Route 46. It is possible to walk or bike for several miles in either direction from the parking area.
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| Osprey | Kevin Karlson |
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| | Straddling both the Highlands and the Ridge and Valley regions of New Jersey, this WMA contains the Pequest Trout Hatchery, the Natural Resource Educational Center and 4,600 acres of land, including three hiking trails, small mountain brooks, a pond, forests, open grasslands and successional lands, which were once cleared for farming. The forested ridges, valley grasslands and Pequest River frontage are the perfect setting for an abundance of wildlife viewing.
the opportunity to witness the life cycle of brown, brook and rainbow trout. Fish eggs are collected in the fall at the hatchery and incubated during the winter months in the nursery. When spring arrives, the three- to four-inch fish are put in hatchery raceways where they are raised and eventually used to stock the waters in New Jersey. The process offers a year-round educational experience.
Mix up a visit to Pequest by enjoying the many trails and then shaking off the winter chill by visiting the Natural Resource Education Center and the hatchery. Enjoy the resident and visiting birds of the season. White-breasted Nuthatch and Downy, Hairy, Red-bellied and Pileated Woodpeckers, Black-capped Chickadee and White-throated, Tree and Song Sparrows all can be found. Some winters American Robin can be seen foraging for berries along wood edges. Note the winter defense adaptation of the songbirds to flock together to avoid predation. This “safety in numbers” offers additional protection from hungry raptors. Look to the skies for Red-tailed and Cooper’s Hawks and Bald Eagle.
Listen for Eastern Phoebe, Carolina Wren, Song Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird and Northern Cardinal as they herald the arrival of spring while laying claim to breeding territories. Spring peepers and wood frogs will begin their chorus early in the season when they lay their eggs near the Pequest River. The riverside habitat in spring may reveal a look at the New Jersey-threatened wood turtle. Named for the sculpted appearance of the upper shell, this reptile requires woodland and field habitats near clear, clean streams. Loss of this specialized habitat directly contributes to the threatened status of this gentle creature. Birds that can be heard along the wooded river corridor include Hooded Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush, Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted Grosbeak and Red-eyed Vireo.
Fallen trees and an abundance of brush provide habitat for snakes, salamanders and scrub-shrub birds. Brown Thrasher and Gray Catbird skulk along this mid-story vegetation level. Common Yellowthroat, Black-and-white and Yellow Warblers, Baltimore and Orchard Orioles and Carolina Wren are also in the area. Look for the flash of blue as the Eastern Bluebird dives for insects in open fields. The butterfly garden near the resource center is in bloom now, and butterflies and dragonflies are taking advantage of the season. Warbling Vireo can be found by the Fishing Education Pond along with Belted Kingfisher, swallows and Chimney Swift.
Great Blue Heron frequents the pond along the Red Trail. Pheasants are released here for hunting season, and Wild Turkey may also be seen. Ospreys are frequent diners in the hatchery and can be observed in flight and perched on light poles. The fall colors are spectacular, especially viewed from the Yellow Trail ridgeline that overlooks the valley with a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view of surrounding, higher ridges. Along the trails, oaks, maples, ash, birch, black cherry and black walnut are some of the trees that contribute to the multicolored display of fall brilliance.
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