Lake Ricabear in Morris County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Morris County entry here is Lake Ricabear, in New Jersey. The water sits 679 feet up. Small at around 24 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. With about 0.9 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. Head to Kinnelon, 3.4 miles away, for anything you forgot. The nearest city of size is Paterson, 13 miles away. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Lake Ricabear

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Across Morris County, recorded fish include brown trout, brook trout, northern pike and bluegill. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. The near bank of Lake Ricabear is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 72°F and January reads 27°F. The season stretches long at both ends here. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Lake Ricabear runs to that rhythm year in and year out. A settled week fishes better than a changeable one.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. The closest car park is 0.9 miles away, so pack accordingly. This sits inside Lake Rickabear Day Camp, so read the reserve notices first. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. For a change of water, Lake Juliet is 0.3 miles distant. For Lake Ricabear in particular, ask before you travel.