Fishing at Lake Lenape, Sussex County, New Jersey

• Overview

  You will find Lake Lenape in Sussex County, New Jersey. The shore lies 37 miles out. Roughly 54 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. Around 1.5 miles of margin, front to back. On our Sussex County list it sits near the top for size. The closest town, Lake Mohawk, is 3.7 miles away. Paterson is the closest city, 30 miles away. A county boundary sits nearby, which can matter for local access rules.

• Where to Fish on Lake Lenape

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Records held for Sussex County cover brook trout, brown trout and walleye. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Lake Lenape decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 71°F, while January sits near 25°F. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. It sets the rhythm of the year at Lake Lenape.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. A made slipway is half a mile from here, which settles the boat question. Expect a half a mile walk in from where the car goes. A pier half a mile from here gives a platform over deeper water. Mapping records toilets within half a mile. Season dates differ by species, so read the table. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Gardners Pond at 0.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm before you fish Lake Lenape.