Blue Mountain Lakes Fishing in Sussex County, New Jersey

• Overview

  This water sits in Sussex County, New Jersey. Beyond the shoreline you have pine and birch. At 15 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. By elevation it is in the upper part of our New Jersey listings. Hardwick sits 3.3 miles from the bank. The big place round here is Paterson, 42 miles distant. The county edge is within a short distance of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Blue Mountain Lakes

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. County-wide records name brook trout, brown trout, walleye, bluegill and pumpkinseed. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Anyone new to Blue Mountain Lakes should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 70°F and January near 25°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from late March. The open-water window runs from around late March to about late December in an average year. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Plan any trip to Blue Mountain Lakes around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. The closest car park is half a mile away, so pack accordingly. A picnic site half a mile off makes this workable with family in tow. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Long Pine Pond is 1.2 miles distant. Ask locally about Blue Mountain Lakes if anything is unclear.