Beaver Lake, New Jersey: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Beaver Lake lies in Sussex County, in New Jersey. The country round it is rolling bush from end to end. It measures about 149 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The edge runs 2.3 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. On our Sussex County list it sits near the top for size. For a base, Ogdensburg sits 1.7 miles out. It is 24 miles to Paterson, the nearest city. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Beaver Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Species logged across Sussex County include brook trout, brown trout and walleye. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. Anyone new to Beaver Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 24°F and July at about 70°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Break-up comes around late March, and the run that follows is short and strong. The open-water window runs from around late March to about late December in an average year. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. It sets the rhythm of the year at Beaver Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. The nearest alternative is Tamarack Lake, 1.2 miles out. For Beaver Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.