The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (back of a cove) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Lake Tappan
Bergen County, New Jersey · 1,260 acres (2 sq mi)
56°F water, level 55 ft, calm tomorrow morning.
About Lake Tappan
Lake Tappan spreads over 1,260 acres in Bergen County, New Jersey. Tappan Dam holds it back on the Hackensack River. Lake Tappan straddles the New Jersey–New York border and is part of the Hackensack River water-supply system.
It stretches about 3.2 miles end to end and its shoreline adds up to about 8.6 miles. The water sits about 50 ft above sea level. It reaches about 43 ft at its deepest, with an average depth near 21 ft. Old Tappan is right by the lake. The closest city is Greenburgh, about 7 miles away.
- Size
- 1,260 acres (2 sq mi)
- Deepest
- About 43 ft (average 21 ft)
- Shoreline
- About 8.6 miles
- End to end
- About 3.2 miles
- Elevation
- About 50 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Tappan Dam, Hackensack River
- County
- Bergen County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Friday Good
- 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise
- 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 9 mph
Saturday Good
- 6:00 am – 8:15 amsunrise · wind 6 mph
- 3:00 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
Lakes like Lake Tappan in New Jersey usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 56°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
- FairBluegill and sunfish
Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Back of a cove
Sheltered, shallower water where baitfish gather.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
7-day trend: not enough daily readings yet.
Latest reading .
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:41 am · sunset 4:38 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Lake Tappan
- Old Tappanon the shore
- Montvaleabout 1.3 mi northwest
- Blauveltabout 1.3 mi northeast
- Orangeburgabout 1.6 mi east
- Greenburghnearest city, about 7 mi east
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Questions about Lake Tappan
What fish are in Lake Tappan?
Lakes like Lake Tappan usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Lake Tappan?
About 43 ft at the deepest point, about 21 ft on average. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.
How big is Lake Tappan?
1,260 acres, with about 8.6 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Lake Tappan?
Old Tappan is on the shore; Montvale is about 1.3 miles northwest.
What is the water temperature at Lake Tappan today?
The surface was about 56°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Lake Tappan on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
