Lake Tappan Fishing in Bergen County, New Jersey

• Overview

  Lake Tappan is listed under Bergen County, New Jersey. Tidal water begins 4.6 miles from here. This is sizeable water at about 920 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. With 8.7 miles or so of shoreline, boat anglers cover ground the bank cannot. Among the waters listed for Bergen County, none is wider. Some 1.5 miles away sits Old Tappan, the nearest settlement. Yonkers sits 8.7 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Lake Tappan

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Open biodiversity records for Bergen County list bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown trout and largemouth bass. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Lake Tappan repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 74°F; by January the average is down near 29°F. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. It is not guaranteed even in a cold spell, so check yourself. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. It holds true on Lake Tappan more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, Pine Lake at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position on Lake Tappan before loading the car.