The Best Places To Fish in New Jersey

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

New Jersey offers a wide range of excellent fishing spots, each with its own unique charm and popular fish species. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice, there are plenty of opportunities to reel in some impressive catches throughout the state. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing opportunities in the state, for a variety of fish species.

One of the most renowned fishing destinations in New Jersey is the Delaware River. This mighty river is home to a variety of popular fish species, including striped bass, shad, catfish, and smallmouth bass. The springtime is particularly favored for fishing on the Delaware River, as it sees the annual migration of shad and striped bass, attracting anglers from near and far.

Barnegat Bay is another highly regarded fishing location in New Jersey. This large estuary provides ample opportunities for anglers to catch a variety of species, including fluke (summer flounder), striped bass, weakfish, and bluefish. The summer months are particularly productive for fishing in Barnegat Bay, with fluke being a sought-after species during this time.

For those interested in freshwater fishing, Round Valley Reservoir is a popular destination. This deep-water lake is known for its population of trout, including rainbow trout and brown trout. The best time to fish for trout in Round Valley Reservoir is during the spring and fall, when the water temperatures are cooler. Anglers can also target bass, walleye, and muskellunge in this scenic reservoir.

Another favorite fishing spot in New Jersey is Island Beach State Park. Situated along the Atlantic Ocean, this stretch of coastline offers excellent surf fishing opportunities. Anglers can target species such as striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and weakfish. The prime time for surf fishing at Island Beach State Park is typically in the spring and fall when the fish are actively feeding and migrating.

The Raritan Bay, located between Staten Island and the New Jersey mainland, is also renowned for its fishing opportunities. This bay provides a habitat for a variety of species, including striped bass, bluefish, weakfish, and fluke. The best time to fish in the Raritan Bay is during the spring and fall, when striped bass and other migratory species make their way through the area.

It's important to note that fishing seasons and regulations may vary depending on the specific location and species targeted. Anglers should always consult the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife for the most up-to-date information on fishing regulations, size and creel limits, and seasonal closures.

Whether you prefer saltwater fishing along the coast or freshwater fishing in lakes and rivers, New Jersey offers a multitude of fishing opportunities throughout the year. With its diverse range of popular fish species and various fishing locations, anglers of all skill levels can enjoy an exciting and rewarding fishing experience in the Garden State.

There are many great places to fish in The Garden State. There are several hundred lakes and ponds to fish in New Jersey. There are also plenty of rivers and streams, plus coastal fishing opportunities. Here, on this website, we focus on the major lakes in the state. Warm-water and cold-water species all thrive at various fisheries in the state. And, in winter ice fishing is available for many of these species.

New Jersey's Top-Five, Amazing Fishing Spots

Any of the major lakes in the state might make this list on a given year, however these five lakes have had long-standing reputations for great fishing over the years. Learn more...

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Most Popular Fish Species In New Jersey

One of the things that makes New Jersey a great place to fish is the wide variety of species. Anglers can fish for two species of bass, four species of trout, two species of catfish, walleye, striped bass, hybrid stripers, Atlantic salmon, both species of crappie, two species of perch, bluegill and others. Learn more...

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Best Bass Fishing Lakes In New Jersey

Whether you enjoy chasing lunker largemouth, or the thrill of landing acrobatic smallies, New Jersey is a great place to fish for bass. Most lakes in the state have one, or both, species. These three are proven favorites among many local anglers. Learn more...

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Top Places To Fish For Trout In New Jersey

Rainbow, brook, brown and lake trout populate many of the waters in the state. Rivers, streams, lakes and ponds each provide different challenges for trout anglers. Check out the New Jersey trout stocking schedule statewide. Learn more...

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Best Lakes To Fish For Catfish In New Jersey

Catfish can be caught all over the state in fisheries where white and channel catfish thrive. Rivers are factories for developing big, healthy cats, but here we focus on lakes. These are some of the best places to catch catfish in the state, and have been for some time. Learn more...

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Best Walleye Fishing Lakes In New Jersey

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has done a stellar job of entrenching walleye into many fisheries across the state. Walleye fishing seems to run in trends - up one year, down the next. However, these are three good options as they have continued to rebound following down cycles. Learn more...

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Best Lakes For Striped Bass Fishing In New Jersey

The best lakes to fish for stripers in New Jersey are these three. Coastal rivers and bays also provide excellent striper fishing as these big fish migrate inland, then back out again each year. Learn more...

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Enjoy these top spots to go fishing in New Jersey