Prospertown Lake Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 17
Prospertown Lake Wildlife Management Area is 1,098 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Millstone, Upper Freehold and Jackson (Monmouth County and Ocean County), in Deer Management Zone 17 and 18. Hunters took 954 deer in Zone 17 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the High regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 5 unpaved parking lots, 5 metal gates, 1 fishing access point and 1 boat ramp on the property. NJDEP posts 1 restricted area on it.
Data updated October 2026. Sources are listed at the foot of the page.
Fish and Wildlife land (WMAs)Prospertown Lake WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 1,098 acres (NJDEP), in 4 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Millstone, Upper Freehold and Jackson |
| County | Monmouth County and Ocean County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 17, Zone 18 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 17 | High regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 5 unpaved parking lots |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 17, 2025-26 | 954 |
| Nearest town centers | Upper Freehold (3 mi), Millstone (4 mi) and Roosevelt (4 mi) |
What has NJFW built on Prospertown Lake WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 5 unpaved parking lots, 5 metal gates, 1 fishing access point, 1 boat ramp and 1 information kiosk.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.15874 | -74.44483 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.14550 | -74.46489 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.14315 | -74.45060 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.14303 | -74.45064 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 40.13513 | -74.45831 |
| Metal gate | 40.15238 | -74.44040 |
| Metal gate | 40.15226 | -74.44038 |
| Metal gate | 40.14556 | -74.46478 |
| Metal gate | 40.14312 | -74.45079 |
| Boat ramp | 40.13513 | -74.45764 |
| Information kiosk | 40.13486 | -74.45983 |
| Metal gate | 40.13482 | -74.45981 |
The first 12 of 13 points.
Which parts of Prospertown Lake WMA have restrictions?
NJDEP maps 1 posted area on Prospertown Lake WMA: 1 other.
| Type | Category | NJDEP's description | Acres | Through |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted Use | Other | No motors including electric. Only manual powered watercraft. | 87 | 2026-12-31 |
What other hunting areas cover Prospertown Lake WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 14 in NJFW's Central region. For ducks and geese it is in the North waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Prospertown Lake WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 17 gave 954 deer in 2025-26: 516 to bowhunters, 116 in the six-day firearm season, 273 in the permit shotgun season and 44 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monmouth County | 2,955 | 3,460 | 3,385 | 3,714 | 3,879 |
| Ocean County | 1,674 | 1,791 | 1,526 | 1,761 | 1,605 |
What rules apply on Prospertown Lake WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 17's High regulation set; its fall bow season runs September 12 to October 2, then October 3 to 30, 2026. WMAs close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. except to hunters, anglers and trappers.
How do you get to Prospertown Lake WMA?
Highways within five miles: I-195 and NJ 138. Distances to the nearest town centers: Upper Freehold 3 miles, Millstone 4 miles, Roosevelt 4 miles and Jackson 5 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Turkey Swamp (5 miles), Assunpink (5 miles), Colliers Mills (6 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Prospertown Lake WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Prospertown Lake WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Prospertown Lake WMA among public deer hunting lands that need no extra access permit. NJDEP posts these restrictions on it: other (No motors including electric. Only manual powered watercraft). (NJFW Public Hunting Land for Deer (2026 Digest); NJDEP WMA Restrictions in New Jersey)
What deer zone is Prospertown Lake WMA in?
Zone 17 (991 acres) and Zone 18 (108 acres). Hunters took 954 deer in Zone 17 in 2025-26 and 973 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for Prospertown Lake WMA?
NJFW maps 5 unpaved parking lots, listed with coordinates on this page (NJ Fish and Wildlife points of interest (parking, gates, ranges, boat ramps)). Vehicles must stay on established roads and parking areas.
How many deer are taken in Monmouth County and Ocean County?
Monmouth County: 3,879 deer in 2025-26, 3,714 in 2024-25 and 2,955 in 2021-22; Ocean County: 1,605 deer in 2025-26, 1,761 in 2024-25 and 1,674 in 2021-22 (NJFW White-tailed Deer Harvest by County, 2021-22 to 2025-26).
Get a New Jersey hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, New Jersey included.
Sources: NJDEP open space, NJFW points of interest and WMA restrictions layers; NJFW harvest tables, county harvest, 2026-27 seasons, public deer land list and WMA rules; PAD-US; Census. FilledTag is not part of NJ Fish and Wildlife.