McCarthys Lakes near Collings Lakes: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  McCarthys Lakes sits within Gloucester County in New Jersey. Around the bank it is farm and woodlot. At roughly 14 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Nearest town is Collings Lakes, 3 miles off. Buena is 4.2 miles and Victory Lakes 4.5 miles. Close by you have: Cedar Lake (0.5 miles), Cedar Lake some 1.5 miles off, Diamond Lake (2.7 miles), Hospitality Lake some 3 miles off and Cranes Lake (3.2 miles). Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on McCarthys Lakes

  We hold no survey for this water; read the slope of the shoreline instead. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Reported across Gloucester County: bluegill, pumpkinseed and redbreast sunfish. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Read McCarthys Lakes before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 75°F and January reads 32°F. The swings are modest, so patterns change slowly. It is not guaranteed from one year to the next. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. The season on McCarthys Lakes rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Failing this one, try Cedar Lake, 0.5 miles away. Signs at McCarthys Lakes carry more weight than any list.