Lawlin Pond near Franklin Lakes: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Lawlin Pond sits within Bergen County in New Jersey. The ground around here is mixed woodland. This is a tiny water, and one quiet approach covers all of it. Most waters listed here for Bergen County are larger. Franklin Lakes lies 0.8 miles from the water. Paterson sits 6.8 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Lawlin Pond

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Records held for Bergen County cover bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown trout, largemouth bass and common carp. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Treat Lawlin Pond as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 28°F and July at about 73°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Whether it freezes depends on the year. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. Spring and autumn carry the year; summer squeezes it into the ends of the day. That shapes the year on Lawlin Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. A parking area is marked roughly half a mile out. The water borders Old Mill Woodlands, so expect the reserve rules to apply. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. Failing this one, try De Yoe Pond, 0.7 miles away. Treat access at Lawlin Pond as something to verify.