Glen Lake, New Jersey: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Sussex County, New Jersey, is where Glen Lake sits. Elevation runs to 932 feet. At 13 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. It sits higher than most water we list in New Jersey. Supplies mean a trip to Sparta, 1.7 miles off. The big place round here is Paterson, 24 miles distant. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Glen Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. County-wide records name brook trout, brown trout, walleye and bluegill. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Glen Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 71°F and January reads 25°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around late March. Expect the water usable from around late March until roughly late December. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. On Glen Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. No slipway, car park or made path shows up nearby in mapping, so treat access as rough. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Morris Lake, 0.4 miles away. For Glen Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.