Haledon Reservoir, New Jersey: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Passaic County, Haledon Reservoir is a New Jersey water. It sits in mixed woodland. Around 68 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The edge runs 1.6 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. North Haledon lies 2 miles from the water. It is 5 miles to Paterson, the nearest city. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Haledon Reservoir

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Survey and observation records for Passaic County include brown trout, walleye, brook trout and bluegill. The county list is broader than any single water. On Haledon Reservoir the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 74°F, with January the cold end at about 28°F. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Expect Haledon Reservoir to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. There is a car park half a mile from the bank. Mapping shows a jetty some half a mile off. A picnic area is mapped about half a mile away. G. Thomas Donch Nature Preserve covers this ground, which means extra rules to check. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Failing this one, try Franklin Lake, 1.3 miles away. Check the position at Haledon Reservoir before loading the car.