Best fishing lakes in New Jersey: 8 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. Lake Hopatcong

At 2,560 acres, Lake Hopatcong is small enough to learn in a few trips. Expect largemouth bass, muskie, northern pike and yellow perch. At about 50 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring.

Lake Hopatcong today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Spruce Run Reservoir

Spruce Run Reservoir covers 1,290 acres. It lies right by Clinton. It holds trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike. Spruce Run Reservoir is New Jersey's third-largest reservoir and serves as a backup drought-protection water supply.

Spruce Run Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Round Valley Reservoir

Round Valley Reservoir spreads over 2,350 acres. It lies right by Lebanon. Lake trout, trout, catfish and yellow perch are the draw. The deepest water is around 180 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove to work. Round Valley Reservoir is the deepest and, by volume, the largest reservoir in New Jersey. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help.

Round Valley Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Wanaque Reservoir

Wanaque Reservoir is a reservoir of 2,310 acres. It lies about 8 miles south of Wayne. Raymond Dam holds it on the Wanaque River. The usual New Jersey mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The deepest water is around 90 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Wanaque Reservoir is New Jersey's second-largest reservoir by volume and supplies drinking water to much of northern New Jersey.

Wanaque Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Tappan

Lake Tappan covers 1,260 acres. You will find it next to Old Tappan. Tappan Dam holds it on the Hackensack River. Like most lakes its size in New Jersey, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. It goes down to about 43 ft. Lake Tappan straddles the New Jersey–New York border and is part of the Hackensack River water-supply system.

Lake Tappan today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Union Lake

At about 840 acres, Union Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it next to Millville. The usual New Jersey mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Union Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Boonton Reservoir

Boonton Reservoir spreads over 700 acres of water. You will find it next to Boonton. The usual New Jersey mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look. Boonton Reservoir was formed in 1904 by damming the Rockaway River and today serves as a backup water supply.

Boonton Reservoir today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Lake Mohawk

Lake Mohawk covers some 800 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Parsippany (about 16 miles). The usual New Jersey mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Its bed shows three point drop-offs worth a first look.

Lake Mohawk today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

New Jersey lakes by fish

A lake appears under a fish when it holds it, by the record or by the type of lake.

• Bass: Lake Hopatcong, Spruce Run Reservoir, Wanaque Reservoir and Lake Tappan
• Trout: Spruce Run Reservoir and Round Valley Reservoir
• Crappie: Wanaque Reservoir, Lake Tappan, Union Lake and Boonton Reservoir
• Pike and muskie: Lake Hopatcong and Spruce Run Reservoir
• Catfish: Spruce Run Reservoir, Round Valley Reservoir, Wanaque Reservoir and Lake Tappan

When to go

• Spring: largemouth bass are usually fair. Warming up. They move toward shallow flats on sunny afternoons.
• Summer: largemouth bass are usually at their best. Active early and late. Head to shade, docks and grass in midday.
• Fall: largemouth bass are usually fair. Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
• Winter: largemouth bass are usually slow. Cold and sluggish. Fish slow and deep near steep banks.

Before you go

Buy a New Jersey fishing licence before the trip and read the state's rules for each lake: seasons, size and bag limits change from water to water. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.