Deepest lakes in New Jersey: 4 lakes ranked by depth

Deepest first

1. Round Valley Reservoir

At some 2,350 acres, Round Valley Reservoir is small enough to learn in a few trips. You will find it next to Lebanon. The fish here are lake trout, trout, catfish and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 180 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. 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

2. Wanaque Reservoir

Wanaque Reservoir covers 2,310 acres of water. You will find it right by Wanaque. Raymond Dam holds it on the Wanaque River. Like most lakes its size in New Jersey, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. It goes down to about 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

3. Lake Hopatcong

Lake Hopatcong spreads over 2,560 acres of water. Largemouth bass, muskie, northern pike and yellow perch are the draw. At about 50 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

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

4. Lake Tappan

Lake Tappan spreads over 1,260 acres. The lake is within an easy drive of Greenburgh (about 7 miles). It is the Hackensack River behind Tappan Dam. The usual New Jersey mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The deepest water is around 43 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. 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

The clearest of them

Round Valley Reservoir is known for clear water. On a clear lake fish see a long way: lighter line, natural colours and longer casts make the difference.

Fishing deep water

In summer a deep lake splits into a warm top layer and a cold bottom; fish hold near the line between them, often 20 to 40 ft down. A depth finder, a slow troll or a jig dropped straight down finds them.