Fishing Mirror Lake in Bergen County, New Jersey

• Overview

  Mirror Lake falls in Bergen County, part of New Jersey. The shore lies 12 miles out. At 4 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. The closest town, Ramsey, is 0.5 miles away. For a city, Paterson is 9.3 miles off. What else is close: Canns Lake just 0.2 miles, Wyckoff Lake roughly 0.2 miles, Garrison Pond just 0.7 miles, Crestwood Lake roughly 1.2 miles and Suraci Pond just 1.5 miles. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Mirror Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Fish documented in Bergen County include bluegill, pumpkinseed, brown trout and largemouth bass. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Mirror Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 74°F and January at 28°F. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. Mirror Lake fishes to that pattern most years. Warm spells bring fish up, cold snaps push them down.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. H & T Property runs up to the bank here, which usually means extra restrictions. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. The nearest alternative is Canns Lake, 0.2 miles out. Rules at Mirror Lake are worth checking on the day.