New Jersey Fishing: Top Five Destinations

1. Big Flatbrook River

New Jersey's most famous trout stream, the Big Flatbrook combines pristine beauty with
excellent catches. The river rivals many of the premier trout streams in the northeastern United
States, and up to 30,000 trout are stocked during the season. The middle portion of the river,
between Route 206 and Little Flatbrook River, produces the best results. A designated fly-fishing
area runs from Route 206 about 4 miles downstream to Mountain Road and receives
well-deserved praise from anglers. Drive 1.1 miles north of the Stokes State Forest office on
Route 206 and turn left on Route 560 (Dingmans Road). Proceed .6 mile to the parking area on
the corner of Brook Road, a thin dirt road paralleling the river. The section of the river along
Brook Road is prime trout territory, but parking is a creative endeavor if you travel any farther
west.

2. Lake Hopatcong

At 9 miles long and covering 2,685 acres, Lake Hopatcong is New Jersey’s largest lake, and one
of the most heavily stocked bodies of water in the state. During a recent typical stocking
season, the lake received more than 10,000 trout, 144,000 walleye, 25,000 hybrid striped bass,
1,400 tiger muskellunge, and 1,300 muskellunge. The Division of Fish and Wildlife added almost
900,000 walleye fry the same year. Massive fish are caught at Lake Hopatcong every day, some
approaching the state record 33.2 pound channel catfish landed here in 1978, and a 13 pound
rainbow trout caught in 1988. The lake would already be one of New Jersey’s finest fishing
destinations if the list ended there, but you will also find excellent populations of pickerel, yellow
perch, and catfish, along with a good number of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie,
carp, and sunfish. This is one of the few lakes that allows unrestricted outboard motors, in
addition to Jet Skis, sailboats, and kayaks. There’s a boat ramp at the north end of the lake, and
private marinas rent almost anything that floats, from canoes to catamarans. The best access is
from Hopatcong State Park, located on the east side of Lakeside Boulevard about one mile south
of the Borough of Hopatcong.

3. Ken Lockwood Gorge

A popular fly-fishing destination, this is another area that combines beauty, serenity, and
productive fishing. Receiving 60,000 trout annually, the Raritan River as a whole is the most
heavily stocked trout stream in New Jersey, and the section running through Ken Lockwood
gets its share at about 30,000 trout. Environmentalist Ken Lockwood spent countless hours
away from his desk at the Newark Evening News fly-fishing The Elbow, a trout hot spot just
downstream from the railroad bridge. Follow Route 513 south from the Voorhees State Park

office for 1.4 miles and turn left on Cregar Road (the road is not
marked at the turn). Follow Cregar Road, which turns into
Cokesbury Road, for 1 mile to the Raritan River. Cross over the river
and turn left at the end of the bridge onto Raritan River Road (the
road is not marked at the turn). Drive north on Raritan River Road
for .1 mile to enter Ken Lockwood Gorge Wildlife Management
Area. Proceed along the potholed access road with care. Follow the
river north for another 1.4 miles to the railroad bridge and a small
parking area.

4. Round Valley Reservoir

Round Valley has produced more state records than any body of
water in New Jersey save the Delaware River. Deep water and
secluded coves produce the best fishing in the entire state if you’re
looking for huge trout. A 32 pound, 8 once lake trout was caught
here in 2002, along with record brown trout (21.4 pounds),
smallmouth bass (7.1 pounds), and an American eel weighing in at

6.8 pounds caught in 2005. Rainbow, brook, and brown trout are stocked at a rate of 9,000 per
year, and another 16 species inhabit the reservoir, including catfish, yellow perch, pickerel, and
sunfish. Round Valley is also one of New Jersey’s premier spots for largemouth bass, which
are sought after second only to the trout and weigh in at up to 10 pounds. A boat launch .8 mile
north of the park entrance has concrete ramps, but fishing from the shore anywhere along the
Water Trail is almost as productive. The reservoir is a trophy trout lake subject to special
restrictions, so check the latest regulations before venturing out. Round Valley Recreation Area
is located in Hunterdon County, 1.5 miles south of Lebanon Borough on the east side of Route
629.

5. Delaware River

The Delaware appears last on this list only because it is so popular that it almost needs no
mention. The river is responsible for more records than any other body of water in the state,
including a 29 pound tiger muskellunge, a 13.6 pound walleye, and a 42 pound, 1 ounce carp
landed in 1987. The Delaware does not encounter one dam in its 330-mile journey past the
borders of four states, making it the longest free-flowing river in the eastern United States. This
unbroken flow is essential for fish species that depend on migration and spawning runs, such as
American shad, striped bass, and river herring. Huge American shad run in May, and the boat
ramp area at Eshback near Worthington State Forest is known as a local shad hot spot.
Smallmouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, and catfish are also common near Worthington, and
fly-fishing is popular for trout. A boat ramp next to the Worthington State Forest office gives
easy access to the river, although you will find many access points along the Delaware's entire
course.