Mount Kemble Lake Fishing in Morris County, New Jersey

• Overview

  Look for Mount Kemble Lake in the Morris County part of New Jersey. Mixed woodland runs right down to the water. Surface area runs to about 15 acres — small enough to read in one session. For supplies, Basking Ridge is 2.9 miles out. After that come Bernardsville at 2.9 miles and Morristown at 4.3 miles. The line between counties passes nearby, which can change who manages the water.

• Where to Fish on Mount Kemble Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Species logged across Morris County include brown trout, brook trout, northern pike, bluegill and rainbow trout. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Fish Mount Kemble Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 28°F and July at about 73°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Seasons here are moderate, and the fishing runs most of the year. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. The cooler months are the comfortable ones to fish here. Time your trip to Mount Kemble Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. There is somewhere to leave the car, half a mile off. Mapping shows a picnic spot within half a mile. 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. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Van Dorans Mill Pond is 1.2 miles distant. Treat Mount Kemble Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.