Fishing at Lake Gerard, Sussex County, New Jersey

• Overview

  Sussex County in New Jersey is where Lake Gerard sits. The coast is 31 miles away. It measures about 94 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. The edge runs 1.4 miles or so, easy to work in an afternoon. It is among the larger waters listed here for Sussex County. Franklin sits 2.2 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Then Ogdensburg, 2.8 miles, and Hamburg, 3.8 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Lake Gerard

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Fish documented in Sussex County include brook trout, brown trout, walleye and bluegill. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Lake Gerard that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 24°F in January to roughly 70°F in July. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late March. The water is typically free of ice between late March and late December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. The season on Lake Gerard rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Records list it as a natural water body rather than an impoundment. Part of this sits inside or beside Hamburg Mountain Wildlife Management Area, so read the notices. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Summit Lake at 0.6 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Lake Gerard before loading the car.