Biggest lakes in New Jersey: the top 8 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Lake Hopatcong

At 2,560 acres, Lake Hopatcong is small enough to learn in a few trips. Largemouth bass, muskie, northern pike and yellow perch are the draw. 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. Round Valley Reservoir

Round Valley Reservoir is a reservoir of 2,350 acres of water. You will find it next to Lebanon. The fish here are lake trout, trout, catfish and yellow perch. At about 180 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove worth a first look. 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

3. Wanaque Reservoir

Wanaque Reservoir covers 2,310 acres. It lies right by Wanaque. Like most lakes its size in New Jersey, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. It goes down to about 90 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. 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

4. Spruce Run Reservoir

At some 1,290 acres, Spruce Run Reservoir is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it next to Clinton. It holds trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and northern pike. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. 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

5. Lake Tappan

Lake Tappan spreads over some 1,260 acres. It lies within an easy drive of Greenburgh (about 7 miles). 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. The deepest water is around 43 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. 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

Union Lake spreads over about 840 acres. The lake is right by 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. Lake Mohawk

Lake Mohawk is a reservoir of 800 acres. You will find it within an easy drive of Parsippany (about 16 miles). Like most lakes its size in New Jersey, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs: good places to start. Lake Mohawk is a privately owned, man-made lake at the center of a lake community in Sparta Township, New Jersey.

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

8. Boonton Reservoir

Boonton Reservoir covers 700 acres. The lake is next to Boonton. 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 a sheltered cove: good places to start. 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

Big water, big days

Large lakes make their own weather: a breeze that is nothing on a pond builds real waves over miles of open water. Check the wind on the lake page before you launch and keep to the lee shore when it picks up.