Fishing at Lake Montowac, Morris County, New Jersey

• Overview

  Lake Montowac is one of the Morris County waters in New Jersey. It sits 18 miles in from the sea. At roughly 3 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Our Morris County list holds plenty of bigger water. The town to know is Lake Hiawatha, 2.1 miles out. The big place round here is Paterson, 9.9 miles distant. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Lake Montowac

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Fish documented in Morris County include brown trout, brook trout, northern pike and bluegill. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Lake Montowac gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 28°F to 74°F. The year turns gently, without extremes at either end. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. On Lake Montowac that shapes the whole year. Water temperature lags behind air temperature by days, not hours.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. A parking area is marked roughly half a mile out. A toilet block sits half a mile away. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Failing this one, try Lake Valhalla, 1.9 miles away. Confirm before you fish Lake Montowac.