Rainbow Lake Wildlife Management Area: deer hunting, parking and rules in Zone 28
Rainbow Lake Wildlife Management Area is 181 acres of New Jersey Fish and Wildlife land in Pittsgrove (Salem County), in Deer Management Zone 28. Hunters took 698 deer in Zone 28 in 2025-26, and the zone follows the Medium regulation set for 2026-27. NJFW maps 2 unpaved parking lots, 1 boat ramp and 1 restroom on the property.
Data updated October 2026. Sources are listed at the foot of the page.
Fish and Wildlife land (WMAs)State forest and park landRainbow Lake WMAZone lineParkingHighway
| Size | 181 acres (NJDEP), in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| Municipality | Pittsgrove |
| County | Salem County |
| Deer Management Zone | Zone 28 |
| 2026-27 rules in Zone 28 | Medium regulation set |
| Parking (NJFW) | 2 unpaved parking lots |
| NJFW public deer land list | Listed: no extra access permit needed |
| Deer taken in Zone 28, 2025-26 | 698 |
| Nearest town centers | Deerfield (2 mi), Pittsgrove (3 mi) and Upper Deerfield (5 mi) |
What has NJFW built on Rainbow Lake WMA?
NJFW's points of interest layer shows 2 unpaved parking lots, 1 boat ramp and 1 restroom.
| What | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaved parking lot | 39.48764 | -75.11302 |
| Unpaved parking lot | 39.48755 | -75.11242 |
| Boat ramp | 39.48769 | -75.11170 |
| Restroom | 39.48749 | -75.11227 |
What other hunting areas cover Rainbow Lake WMA?
For spring turkey the WMA lies in Turkey Hunting Area 21 in NJFW's South region. For ducks and geese it is in the South waterfowl zone.
How many deer are taken around Rainbow Lake WMA?
NJFW counts deer by zone. Zone 28 gave 698 deer in 2025-26: 424 to bowhunters, 59 in the six-day firearm season, 120 in the permit shotgun season and 87 in the permit muzzleloader season.
| Zone | WMA acres in it | 2025-26 | 2024-25 | 2023-24 | 2022-23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 28 | 181 | 698 | 819 | 742 | 822 |
| County | 2021-22 | 2022-23 | 2023-24 | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem County | 2,036 | 1,732 | 1,631 | 1,830 | 1,670 |
What rules apply on Rainbow Lake WMA?
Deer seasons follow Zone 28's Medium regulation set; its fall bow season runs September 12 to October 2, then October 3 to 30, 2026. An antlered deer in Zone 28 needs 3 points on one side. WMAs close from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. except to hunters, anglers and trappers.
How do you get to Rainbow Lake WMA?
Highways within five miles: NJ 55, NJ 47, NJ 56 and NJ 77. Distances to the nearest town centers: Deerfield 2 miles, Pittsgrove 3 miles, Upper Deerfield 5 miles and Vineland 6 miles. Other WMAs nearby: Union Lake (5 miles), Elmer Lake (5 miles), Buckshutem (8 miles). NJFW publishes a map of Rainbow Lake WMA.
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt deer on Rainbow Lake WMA?
Yes. NJFW's 2026 Digest lists Rainbow Lake WMA among public deer hunting lands that need no extra access permit. (NJFW Public Hunting Land for Deer (2026 Digest); NJDEP WMA Restrictions in New Jersey)
What deer zone is Rainbow Lake WMA in?
Zone 28. Hunters took 698 deer in Zone 28 in 2025-26 and 819 in 2024-25 (NJFW 2025-26 New Jersey Total Deer Harvest).
Where do you park for Rainbow Lake WMA?
NJFW maps 2 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 Salem County?
Salem County: 1,670 deer in 2025-26, 1,830 in 2024-25 and 2,036 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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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.